Métis Culture Week kicked off at the Town of Battleford Monday. (Facebook/Métis Nation WR1A)

By Angela Brown

Fun week of festivities

Town recognizes Métis Culture Week with flag-raising ceremony

Mar 27, 2023 | 5:34 PM

A number of events are planned in the Battlefords to celebrate Métis Culture Week which runs from March 27 to April 1.

The week was launched with a flag-raising ceremony Monday outside Battleford Town Hall.

“We put it up earlier last year. But we needed a new one, and they had a new flag change,” Mayor Ames Leslie told battlefordsNOW. “Local president Bill Kennedy [Western Region 1A, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan], a group of members of the local chapter, and an Elder came by, and we put it up. It’s just a continual relationship that we are working on to improve our relations with the Métis people in our community, and partake in a few more festivities of their week here as well.”

Doug Laing, acting as Deputy Mayor, and councillors Judy Pruden and Shelley Boutin-Gervais took part in the flag-raising event on behalf of town council.

The Métis Nations- Saskatchewan Western Region 1A is organizing a series of activities sponsored by Urban Programming for Indigenous People.

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Métis Culture Week organizers held an Elders’ Gathering with tea, bannock and a workshop to learn – Pointillism, known as traditional Métis “dot art,” at the Friendship Centre in North Battleford during the afternoon.

People can join in a bannock-making contest on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Friendship Centre in North Battleford, followed by judging at 1 p.m.

On Wednesday people can take in a free movie called “Time Out of Mind,” at 1 p.m. at the Magic Lantern Theatre in North Battleford.

For sports enthusiasts, a lacrosse skills development night is planned turf-side at the NationsWEST Field House from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 29. The event is open for youth, eight to 17 years of age.

Then, at the Friendship Centre from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday people can drop in for a hot soup and bannock and to take part in a variety of workshops like beading and dream catchers.

After that, organizers plan to host a special banquet gala on Friday in North Battleford. A number of local and national representatives from the Métis Nation will take part, along with President Glen McCallum from Métis Nation – Saskatchewan.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow