Métis Crossing a Place of Pride

Métis Crossing a Place of Pride

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Métis Crossing is a place of pride. It is a place steeped in history, but not stuck in history. That was evidenced most recently with news of an expansion project on the historical site which is located along the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River approximately 15 kilometers southeast of the Town of Smoky Lake.

On Oct. 5 an official groundbreaking ceremony for a new 40 room boutique Lodge took place on the site. The Government of Alberta is contributing $1 million towards the project.

“Métis Crossing is an important gathering place that showcases the history of a proud people, the Métis Nation of Alberta. Adding a 40-room boutiquestyle lodge to Métis Crossing means more visitors will be able to enjoy the cultural activities. It also means more jobs for the local economy, helping grow Alberta’s tourism industry and boost year-round visits across the province,” said, Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations.

The new 40-room lodge is expected to be operational by summer 2021, complimenting the recently completed Cultural Gathering Centre on the 512- acre historic Métis river lot site. These combined facilities will offer visitors the opportunity to stay overnight, experiencing all that Métis Crossing and the Smoky Lake region have to offer.

“Métis Crossing is continuing to expand. It is a reflection of the interest and demand we are seeing for Indigenous experiences in Alberta,” said Juanita Marois, Executive Director, Métis Crossing. “Everyone at Métis Crossing is thrilled that the Government of Alberta has recognized the value in Indigenous Tourism and in what we offer here at Métis Crossing. They have stepped up in such a major way to support Métis Crossing as a destination for Métis cultural interpretation.”

Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta. “Métis Crossing has been a dream of Alberta’s Métis for decades. With support from Alberta and other partners, we have built a place where Albertans and tourists can experience the exciting culture of Alberta’s Métis. With this new lodge, Métis Crossing elevates the Indigenous tourism experience in our province.”

The cultural interpretive centre, which opened in December of 2019, has played host to a number of special events, conferences, workshops, a variety of hands-on experiences, weddings, and most recently, hosting graduation ceremonies for H.A. Kostash School.

Other activities include: curriculumbased student educational activities and experiences, classroom facilities, camping facilities, and trappers’ tents during the summer months.

“Métis Crossing is meant to be a place to experience,” stated Marois. They strive to represent and share elements of Metis culture including: pride of culture, family reconnection and reconciliation, sacredness of place, and empathy and acknowledgement. All that is done through interpretive and cultural experiences.

One recent example of that is ‘Walk in Our Mocs’ Métis Archery Program taught by grandparents who talk about their way of life through survival on the land, a way of life within the Historic Victoria District National Historic Site.

They have offered a traditional Métis art program called Wall Pockets. These pockets provide storage space for small household or personal items and serve as beautiful decorations. They are made with wool, birch bark, or leather which are decorated with beadwork, embroidery, or porcupine quills.

This winter they will be offering ‘Tales of the Trapline Experience’ that explores traditional Métis winter activities and skills on the river lot farm where you can set a snare, build a survival shelter, strap on snowshoes, and learn a traditional art.

They will also be building a 4.86-megawatt solar field on the north end of the property as well as a bison paddock, both of which are slated to come onstream in the summer of 2021.

Marois is also excited to be working with the Government of Alberta and the Smoky Lake municipalities as a contributing partner and destination in their Economic Strategy. According to preliminary economic impact, projections show the potential for between 300 and 700 jobs in the region over the next 10 years.