A Stonewall resident recently earned recognition by receiving a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Dave Lavallee is well known in the community and beyond for his efforts to carry on the Métis culture and Michif language through his music and teachings.
Along with his wife Marj, he is an ambassador for the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, and they’ve been leading their own workshops that focus on the Michif language for youth and adults. Lavallee is also one of 16 Indigenous artists from across Canada recently featured in a documentary called Rhythms of the Land presented by the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.
Mona Buors, minister for Métis Child and Family Services, put Lavallee’s name forward for the recognition.
“I picked Dave as a recipient because I know how much he’s involved with the schools for language and also with his music. I was in school with him, and he used to entertain us during recess. We’d go to a room where he’d play for us and he’d always keep the music alive,” said Buors, who is also a regional executive director for the Interlake region.
“Dave also does a lot of cooking. He even went into the school here in Stonewall and showed them how to do bannock. He’s teaching his grandchildren the songs and the language and the music and he’s keeping it alive. That’s very important for us because a lot of our elders are leaving us.”
Lavallee was taken aback when he was called up to receive the award during an Interlake regional meeting.
“I couldn’t even find my legs to get up and accept the award. I was in total shock. I didn’t know at all that I was receiving it. When Minister Mona Buors was making the presentation, halfway through I realized she was talking about me,” he said.
“It’s a real honour.”
The coronation medal program was created to mark the coronation of King Charles III. It recognizes people who have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community in Canada or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
