Latest news with #SophieMcDougall
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.
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- General
- Cision Canada
New stamp commemorates Métis Elder and Michif Language Keeper Sophie McDougall Français
McDougall shared knowledge of her culture and language with generations of students and community members This news release is also available to read in Michif French. PRINCE ALBERT, SK, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Post hosted an event in Prince Albert today to celebrate an upcoming stamp commemorating Métis Elder and Michif Language Keeper, Sophie McDougall. A devoted educator and leader, McDougall (1928-2023) is remembered for sharing extensive knowledge of her culture and language with generations of students and community members over her long life. This stamp is one of three Indigenous Leaders stamps that will be issued on June 20 – the day before National Indigenous Peoples Day. The set is the fourth in Canada Post's multi-year Indigenous Leaders series. McDougall's life and legacy Born in 1928 in St. Louis, Saskatchewan, McDougall (née Margaret Sophie Boyer) was a descendant of the area's original settlers. As a Métis woman, she experienced discrimination at teachers' college but faced it with courage and determination. She spent many years as a dedicated schoolteacher. Her first teaching assignment was in 1945 in a remote area north of North Battleford – at a tiny school with no electricity. An Elder with the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association in Saskatchewan for 20 years, McDougall translated books and other materials into Michif, the traditional language of many Métis. Michif is categorized as critically endangered by UNESCO. She also worked with many organizations in Prince Albert to document and teach the regional dialect Michif French. In her late 80s she appeared in the YouTube series, Métis Women Stories 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. About the stamp The stamp features an illustration of McDougall based on a photograph provided by her family. In the background are photos of the St. Louis Parish and the original St. Louis highway and railway bridge in her hometown. The stamp is designed by Andrew Perro, with illustration by Jennifer Radia, featuring background photography courtesy of the St. Louis Historical Society, the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan and iStock. It is printed by Lowe-Martin. The issue includes a booklet of six Permanent ™ stamps, an Official First Day Cover and a souvenir sheet. The cancellation site is St. Louis, Saskatchewan, and the cancellation mark features an illustration of an old schoolhouse bell, symbolizing the pivotal role that education played in McDougall's life. About the Indigenous Leaders stamp series The Indigenous Leaders series was launched in 2022 and 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. This year, Canada Post will issue three stamps in honour of Julia Haogak Ogina, Sophie McDougall and Bruce Starlight. There are two other stamp events this month: On Friday, June 13, the stamp honouring Julia Haogak Ogina was celebrated in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories. On Thursday, June 19, the stamp recognizing Bruce Starlight will be celebrated in Tsúut'ínà Nation, Alberta. The new stamps and collectibles will be available at and select postal outlets across Canada starting June 20. For links to images of the stamps and other products: TM Trademark of Canada Post Corporation.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New stamp commemorates Métis Elder and Michif Language Keeper Sophie McDougall
McDougall shared knowledge of her culture and language with generations of students and community members This news release is also available to read in Michif French. PRINCE ALBERT, SK, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Post hosted an event in Prince Albert today to celebrate an upcoming stamp commemorating Métis Elder and Michif Language Keeper, Sophie McDougall. A devoted educator and leader, McDougall (1928-2023) is remembered for sharing extensive knowledge of her culture and language with generations of students and community members over her long life. This stamp is one of three Indigenous Leaders stamps that will be issued on June 20 – the day before National Indigenous Peoples Day. The set is the fourth in Canada Post's multi-year Indigenous Leaders series. McDougall's life and legacy Born in 1928 in St. Louis, Saskatchewan, McDougall (née Margaret Sophie Boyer) was a descendant of the area's original settlers. As a Métis woman, she experienced discrimination at teachers' college but faced it with courage and determination. She spent many years as a dedicated schoolteacher. Her first teaching assignment was in 1945 in a remote area north of North Battleford – at a tiny school with no electricity. An Elder with the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association in Saskatchewan for 20 years, McDougall translated books and other materials into Michif, the traditional language of many Métis. Michif is categorized as critically endangered by UNESCO. She also worked with many organizations in Prince Albert to document and teach the regional dialect Michif French. In her late 80s she appeared in the YouTube series, Métis Women Stories 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. About the stamp The stamp features an illustration of McDougall based on a photograph provided by her family. In the background are photos of the St. Louis Parish and the original St. Louis highway and railway bridge in her hometown. The stamp is designed by Andrew Perro, with illustration by Jennifer Radia, featuring background photography courtesy of the St. Louis Historical Society, the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan and iStock. It is printed by Lowe-Martin. The issue includes a booklet of six Permanent™ stamps, an Official First Day Cover and a souvenir sheet. The cancellation site is St. Louis, Saskatchewan, and the cancellation mark features an illustration of an old schoolhouse bell, symbolizing the pivotal role that education played in McDougall's life. About the Indigenous Leaders stamp series The Indigenous Leaders series was launched in 2022 and 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. This year, Canada Post will issue three stamps in honour of Julia Haogak Ogina, Sophie McDougall and Bruce Starlight. There are two other stamp events this month: On Friday, June 13, the stamp honouring Julia Haogak Ogina was celebrated in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories. On Thursday, June 19, the stamp recognizing Bruce Starlight will be celebrated in Tsúut'ínà Nation, Alberta. The new stamps and collectibles will be available at and select postal outlets across Canada starting June 20. For links to images of the stamps and other products: Access an external folder with high-resolution images. Watch the video and read the Canada Post magazine article. Social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. TM Trademark of Canada Post Corporation. SOURCE Canada Post View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
12-06-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY - Canada Post to unveil stamp honouring Elder and Knowledge Keeper Bruce Starlight in fourth issue of the Indigenous Leaders stamp series Français
PRIDDIS, AB, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Post will issue a new set of stamps honouring three Indigenous leaders on June 20, a day ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21). Julia Haogak Ogina, Sophie McDougall and Bruce Starlight will each be featured on a stamp for their dedication to preserving the culture and languages of their Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities. Bruce Starlight (b. 1947) is an Elder and Knowledge Keeper who has spent more than five decades working to save his language and culture from extinction. He served as a language commissioner for his community and was among the founders of the Tsúut'ínà Gunáhà Násʔághà, an institute dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of his mother tongue. The upcoming stamp set is the fourth in Canada Post's Indigenous Leaders multi-year stamp series. Launched in 2022, the series highlights the contributions of modern-day First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders who have dedicated their lives to preserving their cultures and improving the quality of life of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The stamps are each being unveiled and celebrated at separate local events. The unveiling and celebration of the stamps honouring Julia Haogak Ogina and Sophie McDougall will be on June 13 and June 17 respectively. TM Trademark of Canada Post Corporation
Cision Canada
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Canada Post to unveil stamp honouring Michif Language Keeper Sophie McDougall in 2025 issue of the Indigenous Leaders stamp series Français
PRINCE ALBERT, SK , June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Post will issue a new set of stamps honouring three Indigenous leaders on June 20, a day ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21). Julia Haogak Ogina, Sophie McDougall and Bruce Starlight will each be featured on a stamp for their dedication to preserving the culture and languages of their Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities. Sophie McDougall (1928-2023) was a passionate Michif Language Keeper who shared extensive knowledge of her Métis culture and language with generations of students and community members over her long life. For over 20 years, she was an Elder with the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association, where she spent many years as a devoted schoolteacher and translated books and other materials into Michif. The upcoming stamp set is the fourth in Canada Post's Indigenous Leaders multi-year stamp series. Launched in 2022, the series highlights the contributions of modern-day First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders who have dedicated their lives to preserving their cultures and improving the quality of life of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The stamps are each being unveiled and celebrated at separate local events. The unveiling and celebration of the stamps honouring Julia Haogak Ogina and Bruce Starlight will be on June 13 and June 19 respectively.
