Councillor Sharon Cross attended as Acting Mayor. Also present were Joe
Pierre (Councillor of 'aq'am), Colette Trudeau (Metis Nation of B.C.), Lynn
Hauptman (School District #5), Jason Tichauer (Mt. Baker Secondary School), and
Doug McPhee (School District #5).
Doug McPhee, who has a rich and long involvement with the St. Mary's Band
and the Metis, was presented with a beautiful wool blanket featuring a symbolic
turtle on it, as well as an eagle feather. It was a very touching tribute to
Mr. McPhee.
After a traditional Metis dinner, Daniel Gervais on fiddle, and the
Pacemakers, entertained the crowd. Members of the public started to arrive to
participate in the event. There were lots of lively jigs, and a butterfly dance
that Councillor Cross participated in with a couple of youth. When asked about
the dance, Councillor Cross replied "When it started I realized that it was a
dance I learned in school as a child. It came back to me as though it were
yesterday, and I was having a ball!" She also noted that "This is such a
wonderful celebration of a rich culture that has helped shape our nation, and
I'm so happy the Metis community keeps their traditions and culture alive.
Cranbrook is a better place for it."
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