Otipemisiwak Métis Government Celebrates Métis Week

Nov 12, 2024

Edmonton, AB (November 12, 2024) — From November 10-16, 2024, Métis Citizens across Alberta come together to celebrate Métis history, culture, and traditions through a week of events hosted by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta. The annual Métis Week celebration will feature cultural events in Edmonton, Calgary, and Strathcona County, culminating in a commemorative ceremony at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to honour the life and legacy of Louis Riel.

“Each year, Métis Week holds a special place in the hearts of Métis people across Alberta. It offers an opportunity to celebrate our rich history, culture, and resilience, as well as our ongoing pursuit of self-determination and self-government. It also serves as a reminder of the important role the Métis have continued to play in building Alberta,” said Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. “The week culminates on November 16, when we commemorate Louis Riel’s wrongful execution and honor his enduring legacy. It serves as both a reminder of the work accomplished by our ancestors and us, and as motivation for the continued efforts required to have our rights fully recognized”

Métis Week officially began on Sunday, November 10, with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s annual Louis Riel Walk and Service. This six-kilometre event started at St. Margaret’s Church and Hall in Strathcona County and commemorates the journey taken by Riel’s family and friends, who carried his body five miles to his final resting place at Saint-Boniface Cathedral.

On Wednesday, November 13, Métis Citizens and Otipemisiwak Métis Government representatives will join decision-makers at Edmonton City Hall where Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi will proclaim Métis Week in the City of Edmonton. This event serves as an important opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Métis Citizens to Edmonton’s development and strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and the City of Edmonton.

Additional events throughout the week include a Seniors’ Tea at the Chateau Louis Hotel, a Métis Housing Drop-In Information Session in Calgary, a Métis Housing Open House with a Chili and Bannock event at the Métis Housing Building, and a Children and Family Services Night at Fort Edmonton Park.

Métis Week will conclude on November 16, the anniversary of Louis Riel’s execution. Every year on this day, Métis Citizens gather to commemorate Louis Riel Day, remembering the sacrifice he made in 1885 when he gave his life in defense of Métis rights and helped lay the foundation for the continued pursuit of Métis self-determination and self-governance. This year, November 16 will feature a commemorative ceremony at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to honour his life and legacy. The day will conclude with the Delia Gray Memorial Gala, an annual event celebrating the late Delia Gray and her contributions to the Métis Nation within Alberta.

Métis week events are open to all members of the public, including non-Métis. A full schedule of events, including timing and location information, is available here: albertametis.com/metisweek2024

About the Otipemisiwak Métis Government:

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta is the oldest continuous Métis government in Canada. It was originally established in 1928, and has been built by Alberta Métis over generations. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government delivers programs and services to Métis Citizens living throughout Alberta through its governance structures and affiliates including Rupertsland Institute, Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc., Métis Crossing as well as its Métis Housing Corporations.

Currently, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government has over 70,000 registered Citizens, residing in every part of Alberta, and maintains the only objectively verifiable registry that identifies Métis Citizens and rights-holders living in Alberta.

Media contact:

Kenny Trenton

Press Secretary

ktrenton@metis.org

NT4