Métis Family Day festivities at the Friendship Centre this Saturday include a jigging performance and a traditional Métis meal. (file photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Celebrating culture

Métis Family Day a time to celebrate culture, cuisine, traditions

Oct 23, 2019 | 11:53 AM

The Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre is planning a Métis Family Day on Oct. 26 to celebrate everything Métis – from the traditional meals to the dance and crafts.

“It’s to gather Métis people in our community together to share our beautiful culture,” Executive Director Jackie Kennedy said.

The event is being organized by Western Region 1A of the organization Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, along with The Battlefords Friendship Centre, which is partnering on the project. It is sponsored by Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) through the province.

The day runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include a variety of mini workshops both to promote Métis culture and bring families together.

Visitors can enjoy a pancake breakfast starting at 9 a.m. Then, a workshop is planned for making canoe paddles and walking willow sticks from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Some elders from Île-à-la-Crosse will visit to host the workshop and tell some of the traditional history behind the crafts.

Organizers will have a paint workshop from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. so people can learn how to design a festive Métis flag on a decorative board that people can take home and hang on their walls if they choose.

“It’s going to be pretty cool,” Kennedy said.

Lunch planned from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. includes traditional bullets – a Métis soup with meatballs, and is served with bangs (fried bannock).

A workshop is also planned to show participants how to make a beaded red poppy brooch from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to honour veterans.

“Because Remembrance Day is next month we thought that would be nice,” Kennedy said. “We have a young gentleman coming from Saskatoon to [lead the workshop].”

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., a fiddle and jigging performance is planned.

Kennedy said anyone who has any jigging skills is welcome to get up and show some of their stepping talents, too.

All activities are free and take place at the Friendship Centre in North Battleford.

“People just need to bring themselves, and a positive mind; it’s going to be a wonderful day,” Kennedy said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: OCoureurDesBois