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The Multipurpose Métis
Sash
A colourful scarf? A functional
belt? A rope to throw a capsized
canoeist? In the course of its
history, the Métis sash
has been all of these and more,
an essential feature of the
voyageur fur trader's wardrobe,
and a symbol of the French-aboriginal
culture. A finger woven fringed
belt, made of wool and approximately
three metres long, the traditional
sash is sometimes draped ceremonially
over the table when Métis
people gather for discussion.
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Following the Métis
Trail
More than a century after the dramatic execution
of legendary Métis leader Louis Riel,
the true originality and richness of the
Métis (French-aboriginal) culture
is at last overshadowing its reputation
for historical controversy.
In Winnipeg, the Métis Resource
Centre maintains a Métis-related
research library, sponsors Métis-heritage
cultural activities and promotes Métis
crafts and products. In Saint-Boniface,
birthplace of Louis Riel and centre of the
Red River Valley's Franco-Manitoban culture,
La Societé historique de Saint-Boniface
offers public genealogical archives and
resources related to French-Canadian and
Métis families of the west.
To capture the francophone flavour of the
Red River's colourful Métis culture,
plan a trip on the Métis Trail. Look
for these Trail landmarks:
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Winnipeg's
Robust Ukrainian Community
During early waves of Eastern
European immigration to Canada,
the city of Winnipeg became
the focus of a thriving Ukrainian
community. A Ukrainian press,
several community organizations
and the head offices of the
Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox
Churches have become part of
the Red River city's fabric.
Sample Manitoban-Ukrainian culture
at:
•
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada,
located in the Holy Trinity
Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral,
housing a collection of Ukrainian
folk arts and crafts, traditional
dress of various regions, intricately-decorated
"pysanka" Easter eggs,
and wooden carvings.
•
The Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural
and Educational Centre,
one of the largest Ukrainian
cultural centres outside of
the Ukraine.
•
The Ivan Franko Museum,
featuring works by the Ukrainian
author and poet.
North of Winnipeg,
at Winnipeg Beach, the Ukrainian
Homestead Museum displays the
buildings and artifacts of a
pioneer Ukrainian settlement.
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•St. Norbert
Provincial Heritage Park, depicting
a French-Canadian agricultural community
and an example of a straw-and-mud-chinked
Red River frame house.
• Riel
House National Historic Site, where
Métis leader Louis Riel lay in state
following his 1885 execution.
• St. Boniface
Museum, oldest building in Manitoba,
featuring a replica of a Métis hunting
camp and a section dedicated to Louis Riel.
• The Forks National
Historic Site, ancient aboriginal
meeting place, French fur trading centre
and site of the Red River Settlement.
• Upper
Fort Garry, early 19th century administrative
centre for the Hudson's Bay Company.
• St. Boniface
Cathedral, final resting place of
Louis Riel.
• Fort
Gibralter, replica of a North West
Company fur trading fort, and site of the
annual Festival du Voyageur.
• Louis Riel
Statue, on the grounds of the Manitoba
Provincial Legislature, commemorating Riel
as the founding father of Manitoba.
• River Road
Heritage Park Drive, scenic drive
along the Red River from Winnipeg to Lockport,
through an area settled by fur traders and
their families.
• Lower
Fort Garry Historic Site, mid-19th
century supply centre of the Hudson's Bay
Company.
• Grant's Old
Mill, first mill of its kind on the
prairies, established by Cuthbert Grant,
leader of the Métis at the Battle
of the Seven Oaks and Warden of the Plains.
• Kennedy
House, restored late 1800's home
Captain William Kennedy, noted Red River
Métis personality, and his wife Eleanor
Kennedy, honoured as a Manitoba woman pioneer.
• St. James Historical
Museum, authentic Red River frame
house built by William Brown and his Métis
wife, Charlotte Ormand.
Multicultural Merriment:
The Festivals of Winnipeg
Ever since aboriginal, Scottish, English,
and French cultures met and mingled at the
junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers
early in the 19th century, the ethnic diversity
of the Winnipeg area has continued to expand.
Eastern European, Icelandic, Asian, Latin
American and dozens of other international
influences have added to the cultural mosaic
of Manitoba's capital city.
Winnipeg (population 650,000) has become
a city of festivals, including:
• Festival
du Voyageur, a celebration of French-Canadian
heritage and the fur trade era. Western
Canada's largest winter festival, featuring
international dog sled races, traditional
voyageur cuisine, ice sculptures, and fiddling
and jigging contests. (Saint-Boniface, late
February)
• Winnipeg Scottish
Festival, including piping, drumming,
highland dance and pipe band competitions,
workshops, cultural displays. (Late February)
• Festival
Théâtre Jeunesse, festival
of French-language plays written and performed
for youth audiences. (May)
• Winnipeg International
Children's Festival, featuring performers
from around the world, in tents and outdoor
stages. (June)
• Scottish Heritage
Festival, with highland dance, piping
and drumming competitions as well as Heavy
Games, Scottish food and entertainment.
(June)
• Winnipeg Fringe
Theatre Festival, presenting more
than 700 performances by over 100 international,
Canadian and local companies. (July)
• Winnipeg Folk
Festival, a major folk festival event
featuring international performers of folk,
jazz, blues, country and world music. (Mid-July)
• Folklorama,
the largest and longest running multicultural
celebration in the world. Canada's premiere
celebration of ethnic food and entertainment
takes participants on a journey of discovery
through an array of over 40 international
pavilions. (August)
• Red River Celtic
Festival, featuring Celtic music,
dance, workshops, trade fair, Ceilidh. (October) |
