Annual Métis celebration was all about having fun and sharing culture

During the 7th Annual CUMFI Métis Cultural Days, the focus was on celebrating diversity while also recognizing the common threads between cultures.

Métis performers shared the stage with a Ukrainian dance group in the spirit of Reconciliation.

“It’s just such a good fit,” said Shirley Isbister, president of the Central Urban Métis Foundation Inc. (CUMFI) board of directors. “I think their dance and music is quite similar to ours.”

One of the foundations of Métis musical culture is the fiddle, which is a combination of European, First Nation, and French-Canadian influences, but with a unique Métis rhythm and style.

Early connections to the fiddle date back to the 17th Century when Hudson Bay fur traders brought over their fiddles and dances. Métis musicians evolved the sound by tuning the bottom string from a G to an A.

Centuries ago, on the other side of the world Ukrainian people developed their own folk-dance style. It became a ritual to communicate between nature and the divine. Its popularity can be attributed to a choreographer named Vasyl Verkhovynets’, who started a theatre troupe and began combining dance and theatre with folk themes.

This year, CUMFI brought the music and dance of the two cultures together on Sunday.

“It’s all about building relationships and knowing each others’ cultures,” she said.  “We all go to school together, work together, play together [and] so it’s important that we learn and share with each other.”

In the spirit of learning and sharing, the Métis jig dancers brought the Ukrainian dancers on stage for an impromptu lesson and performance.

“It was wonderful,” said Isbister. “I think we have a good relationship with a number of different cultures. It’s important for us, in the spirit of Reconciliation, to bring people together. That’s why we do this.”

Isbister said the Ukrainian dancers, who performed at last years’ Métis Days, were invited back due to the popularity of their last performance. She also said because of the war in Ukraine and Saskatchewan’s Ukrainian community, they wanted to do something special this year.

“My call to action is diversity,” said Isbister. “I really believe Saskatoon is rich in diversity and it’s our job to mine that commodity, we invite everyone from the community, it doesn’t matter what culture you’re from, we want you to learn about Métis people, participate, and have fun.”

Other highlights from the weekend included a free pancake breakfast, the Qu’Appelle Valley Dancers, a fiddle and jigging competition, a performance from Donny Parenteau, as well as the Celebrity Neckbone Eating competition.

Since retiring from Eagle Feather News, founder John Lagimodiere has been working on advancing his neckbone-eating skills.

His journey to the top has been fraught with disappointing second-place finishes. Lagimodiere, however, remained focused on the dream of being crowned CUMFI’s neckbone-eating champion. Prior to the start of the competition, he shared his winning strategy with the crowd. Once the competition ended and the bowls of bones were inspected and counted, Lagimodiere earned bragging rights as the 2024 CUMFI neckbone eating champion.

He wasn’t the only one looking for a win.

“It brings out so many people, and I think it’s good for our community to see all these people coming together – the new Chief of Police (Cameron McBride) up there eating neckbones,” said Isbister.

Métis Days event concluded with an educational component on the Monday and Tuesday following the weekend event, in which thousands of students from both the Catholic and Public-school boards learn about Métis culture and history.