Valerie G. Barnes Connell Jordan
Northern Advocate
The Jim Brady Métis Local, which includes the communities of La Ronge, Air Ronge and Stanley Mission, celebrated Louis Riel Day on Saturday, Nov. 16 with a soup and bannock lunch and entertainment.
Modeste McKenzie and the Creeland Dancers provided entertainment and some opportunity to learn, or enhance participants jigging skills throughout the event.
Modeste McKenzie and the Creeland Dancers were on hand to celebrate Louis Riel Day at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre.
Brett Angus, who is the Jim Brady Local president, said the event, which is held annually at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge, was an invitation for “everybody and anybody from the community to join us in recognition of the passing of a great leader.”
Riel led the Batoche resistance in 1885 and was later arrested and hung in Regina in 1885 for treason.
Much controversy around the life and times of Louis Riel exists to this day, in Manitoba, he is officially claimed as a Father of Confederation. He fought for the rights of his people throughout most of his life and is revered by many.
The Local also offers educational opportunities for Métis, particularly youth, and for anyone interesting in learning more about the history and culture of the Métis People, Angus said.
In the past year, they’ve offered meals for 40 families, involved providing the ingredients, which they could cook with their families, he said.
“Last year and even now, food costs are rising exponentially and demographically. Métis people are some of the poorest people in our province, so we really wanted to help families be able to make ends meet and to give them a little something to look forward to once a week,” Angus said
They also provided youth programming and gave funds to the three elementary schools, the library, ECIP and KidsFirst “with money to run Métis-centred programming and get more books to really engage, not just Métis youth, but all young in learning about our culture in our community.”
Jim Brady Local is one of five Locals in the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MS-N) in the North central Region 1.
Laura Burnouf is the Director for Region 1, which includes the Locals for Uranium City, Stony Rapids, La Ronge, Timber Bay and Weyakwin.
MN-S Northern Region 1 moved into a new location, the former Project Hope, building next to Kikinahk, which has four offices, a kitchen and other space, which will allow them to provide more, Burnouf said, adding she can help the Locals.
Burnouf said, she, as the Director, assists the five locals with funds and other supports.
“I can help them with their programming, and if they want to use this place, I would be helping them as well,” she said.
