The Stony Mountain Métis Local hosted a Truth and Reconciliation event that was a feast for the senses — with bright orange T-shirts and blue Métis flags, toe-tapping tunes and a mouth-watering meal for all to enjoy.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, crowds of people packed the Stony Mountain Rec Centre for the sold-out event held in recognition of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.” The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
Both Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation take place on Sept. 30 each year.
At the Stony Mountain event, Elder Greg Balmer shared words from the heart. In 1956, Balmer and his siblings were taken from their home in the Sixties Scoop. After being separated for decades, they began eventually began to reconnect. Balmer shared about the impact of the experience.
Elder Larry Flett, chair of the Stony Mountain Métis Local, also shared words infused with emotion at the event. A Sixties Scoop survivor himself, Flett reflected on the significance of Orange Shirt Day and the recent revival of the Stony Mountain Métis Local.
“Everybody probably has a different idea of what it means to them,” he told the Tribune. “For years, people were not wanting to admit they were Métis because of the past history. People hid their identity, but that is no longer happening. It’s taken 75 or 80 years for people to start coming forward.”
A highlight of the event was a riveting performance by the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers, accompanied by talented musicians. Kevin Chief, whose father Norman is the namesake of the band, shared some heartfelt reflections with the crowd.
“It’s important that we not only tell stories of hurt and pain because we don’t want to be defined by hardship,” Chief said. “We want to be defined by stories of success, achievement and resiliency. So every time we come together, we acknowledge the harms of the past but we also understand that the future is bright, particularly for our children.”
Lakeside MLA Trevor King brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government and thanked the Stony Mountain Métis Local for hosting the awareness-raising event.
“On behalf of all of my colleagues in the Manitoba legislature, you have our support on the path that you’re creating towards truth and reconciliation,” King said.
In addition to speeches and dancing, the event featured a delicious meal by Danny’s Whole Hog, a silent auction with oodles of prizes, a 50/50 raffle, a craft table for kid, a visit from the Manitoba Métis Federation citizenship bus, a pop-up clinic and unparalleled entertainment by Jason Appleyard and the Country Pride Band.
