(Left-right): Victor Brunelle, MNO Moon River Métis
Council Senator Larry Duval, Honourary Senator
Ruth Wagner, Town of Huntsville Manager of Arts,
Culture and Heritage Teri Souter, MNO Councilor
Pauline Richardson, MNO Moon River Métis Council
President Tony Muscat, Member of the Provincial
Parliament Norm Miller, Mayor Scott Aitchison,
PCMNO Senator Verna Porter-Brunelle and MNO
River Métis Council Chair Bonny Cann. Click here
for larger picture.
Based on an article by: Dawn Huddlestone which is available at: https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/rendezvous-at-river-mill-park-a-national-aboriginal-day-celebration/
On June 21, 2017, The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), First Nations and Inuit leaders and citizens were in Huntsville attending its annual National Aboriginal Day Celebration (NAD) that included a focus on Métis culture and heritage.
Students from Huntsville, Spruce Glen and St. Mary’s schools, as well as members of the public, gathered in River Mill Park to learn more about Métis culture. Dignitaries arrived at the town docks using canoes and then took part in a procession of musicians to the River Mill Park bandshell for a brief presentation.
Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison and the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) Verna Porter-Brunelle spoke during the opening ceremony.
“It’s important to celebrate the people who were here first and how they share this land with us,” said Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison. PCMNO Senator Verna Porter-Brunelle followed with a Métis prayer written by MNO Honourary Senator Ruth Wagner. Senator Porter-Brunelle also noted that the spirit of a Rendezvous is similar to a First Nations pow-wow, but they are not the same thing. “On June 21, National Aboriginal Day, we honour the three Aboriginal peoples: Métis, First Nations and Inuit. It’s important to distinguish the Métis from the First Nations and from the Inuit, which each have their own culture and traditions,” she said.
Following opening remarks, the students participated in Métis activities and games, including dot art and bannock making.
Posted: August 2, 2017