MHC celebrates Metis week with several events
By Samantha Johnson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 15, 2023.
reporter@medicinehatnews.com This week, Nov. 13-17, is the second annual Metis Week at Medicine Hat College, with free events being held to celebrate the unique culture of the Metis people. Indigenous student specialist Nicki Eastly says many community members and MHC students are Metis and this week is an important way to connect them with their history and identity. “We celebrate Metis Week because we want to honour the different Indigenous cultures and celebrate their differences,” explained Eastly. “This week, we’ll demonstrate the food, music, dance and artwork that is different and unique to Metis culture, while providing an opportunity for our students to come out and learn and be celebrated.” On Monday there was a traditional kitchen party with food, live music and dance, which included a Louis Riel re-enactment. On Tuesday, participants in a craft circle learned to make wool mittens from the same material used in the traditional Metis capote. Today, Elder Marie Schoenthal will be leading a Michif language workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and registration is required for this event. On Friday, an Indigenous artisan holiday market will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market will support local Indigenous artists and artisans with traditional bison stew and bannock available for purchase to raise funds for the Firekeepers Women’s Society. All Metis Week events will be held in MHC’s ÔmahksÃpiitaa (Big Eagle) and are open to all community members and free to attend. For more information or to register, please email Nicki at neastly@mhc.ab.ca. 9-8
