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Métis Week

RDP celebrates Métis week through educational events

Nov 8, 2024 | 11:16 AM

Beginning today, Red Deer Polytechnic is honouring the Métis Nation with a week’s worth of events the post-secondary institution is hosting in recognition of Métis Week in Canada.

Celebrating Métis Week in Canada annually is one of the ways RDP says it demonstrates its intention of building relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the polytechnic.

“Red Deer Polytechnic is organizing these events, led by the Indigenous Initiatives team, to provide opportunities for people who live on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands to come together,” stated an RDP news release.

“The events are held in the spirit of truth and reconciliation for everyone to learn about the Métis Nation, including cultural pride and the historical challenges faced by Métis Peoples.”

The public, students, and staff are welcome to join and participate in the following events.

On Friday, they’ll be hosting an Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony at the Cenovus Energy Learning Common from 12-2 p.m.

A soup and bannock lunch will be available followed by a talk with Brian St. Germain about Métis veterans.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12 there will be a Métis Flag Raising Ceremony at 9 a.m. outside RDP’s main entrance and a performance by Métis fiddler, Billy Joseph at 11 a.m. at the Red Deer Bottling Forum.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13 there’s a cultural presentation by St. Germain at 11 a.m. at the Students’ Association Loft.

On Thursday, Nov. 14 there will also be a documentary screening with refreshments and those hoping to attend can drop in between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre.

Finally, on Friday, Nov. 15, the week will wrap up with a presentation by Pamela Piche Lashmore at 1:30 p.m. at Margaret Parsons Theatre.

RDP thanked the the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery for loaning Métis artifacts to them which will be displayed in the Pónokaisissáhta Indigenous Student Centre for the entire week.