Aen Kishkishiyak Ka Kee Ishe Pimawtisheyawk—Remembering Our Culture
Volume 2, Issue 2
May 2007
Proud To Be Métis
Grey-Owen Sound Métis Council
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
PETER COTURE President
Charles Darwin (1809-1882) British naturalist
TONY COUTURE Vice President CATHY HANSLER Secretary/Treasurer VACANT POST Women’s Rep PETER GENDRON ERNIE COATES MICHELE MICKEL Councillors LEORA WILSON Senator
Index Pride In Our Youth
2
Monthly Gatherings
3
Riel Poem
4
AHWS Report
5
RIEL pt. II
6
The Stew Pot
7
Remembrance Day—Métis
8
C
hange is all around us. We don’t recognize infinitesimal changes that occur every day in our lives, but change is there, nonetheless. Sometimes the changes are welcome and anticipated. Other times change is a dreaded entity. A single word, an action, a deed, all can lead to change. The action that wrested Louis Riel from his followers, and forced many to go “underground” is an example of an event that, to this day, carries with it resentment, regret and embarrassment, and has changed the lives of countless Métis families. Today we celebrate our Métis heritage, but how many families here in this small area were forced to deny their birthright in order to live “normal lives”? How many buried treasures, pictures, documents, have never resurfaced? Who were our ancestors? As recorded in the 1851 census, just outside of Owen Sound, a small “village” thrived. (known as the “French Village”) The inhabitants lived in huts made of birch bark or cabins constructed of log. The occupants are listed as traders and fishermen. The names were Boucher, Lavalee, Desjar-
dins, Fox, Jones, DeLa Ronde, Longe, Couture, Payette. Their language was French. These hardy people lived by strength and initiative. We have learned of French Trading Posts in this area, where supplies were available, but mostly they hunted, trapped, fished, gathered herbs and made maple syrup. Our ancestors were not highly educated. They did not build the cities or industrialize the area. They did, however communicate with Mother Earth and fed their families on the abundance that she provided. They celebrated their family ties, and held close together. They gathered collectively for work and good times. They charted a path for others to follow As the settlers thronged to the area, the land was confiscated, leaving the Métis as “squatters”. Even though our people had lived there for many years, they had no claim to the land. The Crown granted the land to be sold to the highest bidder. Perhaps our goal should be to rediscover some of the “buried” treasure, to assist us in finding out more about ourselves, and assess the changes that brought us here today. We acknowledge our heritage and loudly proclaim, “Proud to be Métis”. We have become a respected presence here in this area. We deserve to be proud.