Ambassador Chartier attends annual Lewistown Métis Event

September 16, 2024

Ambassador Clément (Clem) Chartier once again participated in the annual Labour Day weekend "Métis Celebration and Powwow" which was held August 30 to September 1. Also in attendance was MMF Cabinet Minister, Will Goodon.

_{(Minister Will Goodon)}

During the weekend event Minister Goodon and Ambassador Chartier were able to address developments regarding the MMF's Beyond Borders initiative and the re-unification of our Nation - the Red River Métis - throughout our homeland and beyond for those who have moved outside the homeland. Minister Goodon was also asked to Emcee the Friday opening Métis celebration which included fiddle and jigging contests, as their regular Emcee at the last minute was not able to attend.

_{(Chris La Tray)}

There were expressions / statements by members of the Little Shell Band of Chippewa who emphasized the need for a renewed relationship and collaboration between the Red River Métis within Canada and themselves, and other Métis living in Montana and North Dakota which together comprise our Nation and its geographic homeland. This, they emphasized, was particularly important in relation to their desire and ability to keep their identity, kinship connections, history, heritage, culture, and citizenship within the Nation alive and thriving.

_{(Will and Chris)}

The Little Shell Band of Chippewa have had many challenges over the past century and more. They were part of the buffalo hunters who travelled between the Red River Settlement, the vast prairies including the Cypress Hills and the territory which became North Dakota and Montana. In 1879, this group of Métis hunters, who previously used the vast plains in what is now Canada and the United States, settled permanently in the Judith Mountain basin which later developed as the city of Lewistown, Montana. While they still have not acquired a land base and live in various locations in Montana, about 4 ½ years ago they finally received federal government recognition as an Indian Tribe. The United States government does not recognize the Métis as a distinct Indigenous people, and the Métis there, as well as at the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota have no choice but to seek enrollment as Indians if they wish to receive federal government services.

_{(Clem carrying flag in Grand Entry)}

Lewistown is also the Métis settlement that Gabriel Dumont and wife Madeleine sought refuge in after the May 1885 Battle of Batoche. Madeleine died there shortly afterward (October 1885) and is buried in Lewistown and is one of the Métis listed on a monument unveiled at last year's Métis Celebration and Powwow.

_{(Métis Elder, Louella Fredricksen, Montana.)}

Chris La Tray the author of a newly published book, "Becoming Little Shell - A Landless Indian's Journey Home", on the morning of Saturday, August 31^st gave a presentation on his book which he says describes his personal journey of reconnecting to his Métis heritage. In his talk he emphasized that the Métis did not cross the Canada/USA border, that it was the border which crossed us. His book should prove to be an interesting read about the struggle for recognition that confronted that part of our Red River Métis citizens in what is now the State of Montana. Mr. La Tray is also the Poet Laureate of Montana.

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