Submitted by: Glen Lipinski, MNO Consultation and Community Relations Coordinator
MNO Chair France Picotte speaking at the Oshawa Métis Heritage Celebration.
The weekend of June 22-23 marked another successful Métis Heritage Celebration in Oshawa. The 7th annual Métis Heritage Celebration hosted by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Oshawa and Durham Region Métis Council was enjoyed by roughly 1,500 people despite the heavy downpours throughout Saturday.
Held at Oshawa’s downtown Memorial Park, the event included music, dancing, Métis Voyageur games, vendors and craft.
The celebration began with a grand entry. This was followed by the singing of the Canadian National Anthem by MNO Post-secondary Representative Jennifer Henry. MNO Chair France Picotte spoke at the event.
Enthusiasm could not be dampened, 25 brave vendors along with numerous entertainers stuck it out through the rain and finished off the day with partial sun and high temperatures.
Visitors taking part in the hatchet throw as part of the Métis
Voyageur games.
Many musicians provided entertainment for the weekend including the Gaudry Boys, Alicia Blore, All Our Relations Métis Drum Circle, drumming with John Samosi and fiddle music by Rajon Anderson to name a few. Métis Voyageur games were a huge hit. The hatchet throw was quite popular with many people lined up on both days to test their skill.
Métis Voyageur games were a huge hit. The hatchet throw was quite popular with many people lined up on both days to test their skill.
MNO staff were present to promote MNO programs offered in the areas of education and training, healing and wellness and lands, resources and consultations.
MNO staff provided information on MNO programs and
services.
There were a number of service providers and venders offering everything from gifts, clothing, jewelry and crafts to healing supplies. Food vendors kept the bellies full and the music never stopped.