Latest news with #MétisCulture
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Late Michif language keeper honoured with new stamp
A woman from St. Louis, Sask., credited with sharing her knowledge of her Métis culture and Michif language with generations of students and community members over her life, is being featured on a new stamp. According to Canada Post, Sophie McDougall translated books and other materials into Michif for 20 years while serving as an elder with the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association. Michif is categorized as critically endangered by UNESCO. McDougall, who died in 2023 at the age of 94, also worked with organizations in Prince Albert to document and teach the regional dialect of Michif French. She appeared in the YouTube series Métis Women Stories in her late 80s — and later contributed to the creation of the Learn Michif French app. In 2023, McDougall received the Order of Gabriel Dumont Gold Medal in recognition of her lifetime of service to the Métis of Canada. "She was our storybook," said Angela Rancourt, a Métis educator and friend of McDougall's, in an interview with Canada Post Magazine. "She was a database of all our stories." Recalling the period before the development of the app, Rancourt said they needed to find a way for families to be connected to the language. "It was Sophie who said, 'Get it on the phone, get it on their phones!'" Rancourt said. Another friend of McDougall's, Métis researcher and educator Cindy Gaudet, said McDougall was "our kinship archives." "Everyone would go to Sophie if they needed to know something," Gaudet told Canada Post Magazine. "'Are these people related, how are we related, when did the church get moved, what was going on at that time, when was that event?'" According to Canada Post, McDougall was a descendant of the original settlers of the St. Louis area, approximately 105 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. Canada Post said the stamp features an illustration of McDougall based on a photo provided by her family. Photos of the St. Louis Parish, and the original St. Louis highway and railway bridge in her hometown, appear in the background. On a commemorative envelope that is also available, the postmark features an illustration of an old schoolhouse bell, in recognition of McDougall's years as a teacher — and the postmark location is St. Louis. Canada Post said its Indigenous Leaders series, launched in 2022, highlights the contributions of Inuit, Métis and First Nations leaders who dedicated their lives to preserving their culture and improving the quality of life of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It said this stamp is one of three Indigenous Leaders stamps that will be issued in time for this year's National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is this Saturday. The set is the fourth in Canada Post's multi-year Indigenous Leaders series. Last Friday, the stamp honouring Julia Haogak Ogina was celebrated in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T. On Thursday, the stamp recognizing Bruce Starlight was celebrated in Tsuut'ina Nation, Alta. Bronwyn Graves, Canada Post's director of stamp services, said it was the Métis National Council that suggested McDougall be honoured. "If you take a look at all of the honourees in this year's stamp series, there's a real focus on language preservation," Graves said. Graves said Canada Post recognizes how important it is to Indigenous communities to preserve their language as a means of preserving their stories and their traditional teachings. Canada Post hears from Canadians all the time who say they research someone featured on commemorative stamps if they aren't familiar with them, she said. Graves said that when the Donald Sutherland stamp came out in 2023, most people knew who he was, but there were a few who didn't, adding that perhaps younger generations learned about the late actor through that stamp. "Likewise, maybe people who are from very different communities, or who don't know their Indigenous history quite as well, may learn a little bit of something through these stamps about not just Sophie's life and contributions, but also the Métis community as a whole," Graves said. The new stamps and collectibles will be available at and select postal outlets across Canada, starting on Friday.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Seine River paddle event celebrates Métis culture and history
Winnipeggers gathered on the Seine River Sunday for the second annual Rendez-Vous Revyayr Seine, a community paddle event celebrating Métis culture and history. Hosted by the Métis Historical Society, participants could 'paddle into the past' from five launch sites along the river, with routes ranging from four to 17 kilometres. Along the way, they would encounter historical Métis figures and stories brought to life by local actors on the riverbanks. 'It's our way to reconnect with nature, our heritage, the history of the river, and just enjoying being in such a beautiful river environment,' said Robert Loiselle, MLA for Saint Boniface. 'It's important to recognize who we are, where we're from and where we're going, and to connect with our roots.' Each water route led paddlers to Lagimodière-Gaboury Park, where a riverside celebration featured live music by Andrina Turenne, Métis cuisine and prizes.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Sophie McDougall, Sask. Métis language keeper, to appear on Canada Post stamps
WATCH: A Saskatchewan woman who worked to preserve and celebrate the Métis culture is being honoured by getting her likeness on a stamp.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Brings people together': Yorkton school hosts Métis Day
WATCH: Dr. Brass School in Yorkton held its second ever Culture and History Day on Wednesday, focusing on Métis culture. Fruzsina De Cloedt has more. Dr. Brass School in Yorkton held its second ever Culture and History Day on Wednesday, focusing on Métis culture. The smell of bannock cooking on open fire filled the air, music was blasting from speakers, and kids were cheering each other on during a friendly game of tug-of-war. 'I love it. I honestly appreciate everybody that puts together the events in our city, brings people together, and this is just a fantastic event in all the children at the different stations doing different activities. It's really great,' Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle said, while overlooking the lush green courtyard of Dr. Brass School, filled with children. 'Thanks to the volunteers that make it happen,' he added. The idea of the event came from Darcy Lepowick, a teacher at Dr. Brass School. Lepowick told CTV News that he recently got his teaching degree when he was 50-years-old. 'I just started here, and the First Nations had a powwow and a round dance, but there was no Métis culture in the school division, so we started a Métis day last year,' Lepowick explained. He said the event was so successful last year that this time, the organizers had to limit the number of students. As he was talking, school buses were circulating around the school. Some kids were leaving, others arriving. Upon arrival, students received a map of the activities. Métis Day There were about 17 stations set up at Dr. Brass School in Yorkton for Métis Day. (Fruzsina De Cloedt / CTV News) 'We have some elders, Métis elders, baking bannock over the fire. We have super hot soup and bannock as well for sample meals and blueberry pudding. And the games include everything from nail pounding to axe throwing, log sawing, and wrestling,' said Lepowick as he guided CTV around campus. At the back of the school, protected by the winds in the cool shade, were the food tasting stations. A Métis woman behind the table explained that she learned the recipe of the lii boulette soup from her grandmother. The soup was of light colour and had some meat in it. The delicious smell brought people to form a line. Some students were helping by giving out bannock to go with the soup. As she poured another cup of boulette for someone, the woman explained that they cut the bannock into thinner pieces - making dunking easier. From another corner of the courtyard was the smell of wood burning. An elder who was manning the bannock station carefully kneaded and flipped the dough, while eager students waited to try a piece. Not far from the fire was the workstation of the Saskatchewan Trappers Association. They had furs laid out on a table, and students were given the task of guessing which animal it belonged to. Those who were looking for a more graphic experience were not disappointed, as someone from the association skinned a mink. Métis Day Someone from the Saskatchewan Trappers Association skins a mink during Métis Day at Dr. Brass School in Yorkton. (Fruzsina De Cloedt / CTV News) According to Lepowick, there were about 17 stations set up at the event, with about 900 students able to try out the activities important to the Métis people. 'They're all having fun,' Lepowick said. 'I guess if you talk to kids, there are lots of laughter and lots of fun, and the aim of the event is to learn and to have fun.' Dr Brass School is proud of their Métis event and hope to bring it back for many more years to come.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Yorkton school holds Métis Day to celebrate culture
Regina Watch WATCH: Dr. Brass School in Yorkton held its second ever Culture and History Day on Wednesday, focusing on Métis culture. Fruzsina De Cloedt has more.
