Champion Fiddler Cassandra Swan and guitarist Natalie Pikula in the
Welland Cemetery as part of the And the Spirit Lives On . . . program
On November 2, as part of the City of Welland’s A Walk Through History program, a multi-media presentation focused on Métis history called And the Spirit Lives On . . . was held in the Welland Cemetery. This unique, outdoor presentation portrayed Métis ancestral spirits telling stories passed down by Métis elders.
The script for the program was developed by Welland playwright Kay Annable with research provided to her by Stephen Quesnelle, the President of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Niagara Region Métis Council. The light and sound format of the show distinctively reflected the excitement and the emotion of the Métis journey of discovery for recognition and acceptance as part of Canada’s history. Derrick Pont with the MNO Niagara Region Métis Council was the lead actor in the performance, providing the voice for spirits representing the stories of the Métis people. Traditional Métis music was provided by Champion fiddler Cassandra Swan accompanied by guitarist Natalie Pikula.