2010 marked 125 years since the North West Resistance. Its commemoration is really the story of the Métis people’s transition from a buffalo hunting culture to one of settlement. It is a story of misunderstanding of the Métis’ plight by governments and the great majority of the population of Canada who knew little to nothing of Métis history. The Métis struggle for recognition continues to this day. The two photos shown here are of a success story of the Crescent Lake Métis settlement in the field of education. In 1946, the Meadowview School was open thanks to the enthusiasm of the community, the efforts of Métis settlement leader, Philomène Allary, and the Government of Saskatchewan with T. C. Douglas as premier. From l to r: Teachers John Hirsch and Elizabeth Hirsch, Philomène Allary and Premier T.C. Douglas. The celebrations that day included choral selections, piano solos, square dancing, and a speech by a budding orator, Wilmar Shingoose, who thanked the teachers and the event participants. Source of information: Personal research papers on Métis history of T. Lefebvre Prince, The Yorkton Enterprise July 5, 1951 and Interview with Philomène Allary’s grandson Wilmar Shingoose of Lethbridge who is researching his family history.
This edition of History Corner was originally published in the Sept. 15, 2010 issue of Yorkton This Week.
