Invitation to support the Minister for Seniors and Veterans Affairs, Métis Nation of Alberta

Invitation to support the Minister for Seniors and Veterans Affairs, Métis Nation of Alberta

This November a historic ceremony will take place in Juno Beach, France where a monument will be erected to celebrate Métis Nation citizens who fought there. A group from across the Métis homeland will be leaving from Winnipeg to support this. I feel compelled to be one of the numbers who will accompany the veterans, two of whom will be from Alberta and members of the Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta.

I do not have a budget for this portfolio and would like to extend an opportunity to community members to support me in this. Several people have expressed an interest to do this. I have booked my spot with the group using my own resources. I anticipate close to $3,000.00 to cover the trip (includes accommodation & bus tour with the group)

My information is that the Métis Nation head office will be sending our two veterans, two youth, and two staff from head office, a videographer and President Poitras.

Additional information is in a press release which cna be found on the Metis National Council website.

Place: Native Healing Centre, 11813-123 Street, Edmonton

Time: 7-8:30 pm

Date: Monday, November 2, 09

Door prizes, silent auction.

If you are unable to attend and want to participate please call me.

Special treat: My Alan Wolfleg, who was part of the group who went to Juno Beach and other places in France in 2005 for the Calling Home Ceremony, has kindly offered to make a presentation about that trip. At that time, Canadian Aboriginal people held a ceremony and an inukshuk was placed, with a window facing toward Canada. It was a very sacred ceremony and Alan has a very informative and educational presentation. So you will be able to actually see some of the places we will be attending.

It is worth coming out just to see the presentation even if you don’t have much or anything to contribute financially. Just your presence will be an encouragement to me. Feel free to bring friends and family. Please RRSP so I can prepare an appropriate amount of snacks. 780.717.8378.

Thank you for your consideration and prayers. Sorry about the short notice but I was late informed.


Monument to Métis Who Served in WWI and WWII Announced for Juno Beach Courseulles-sur-Mer, France --

A monument to Métis Nation citizens who fought during the two World Wars will be erected at Canada’s Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France.

The Métis National Council’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, David Chartrand, made the announcement today while attending commemoration ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the June 6, 1944 liberation of Europe by Allied Forces during World War II. “Thousands of Métis Nation citizens bravely and selflessly answered the call to serve during the World Wars,” said Chartrand. “This monument will stand in eternal remembrance to those Métis who fought, who were wounded, and who died defending their people, their country, and world freedom.”

The monument will consist of an exhibit highlighting the history of the Métis Nation in Canada and a Red River Cart, a widely recognized symbol of the Métis Nation currently being constructed in the Métis Nation homeland. The Red River Cart will be accompanied by Métis Nation veterans and youth to Juno Beach in November, where they will take part in its unveiling with a dedication ceremony during 2009 Remembrance Day events. “Métis soldiers, sailors, and aircrew made incredible sacrifices for Canada’s war efforts,” said Chartrand. “This monument is a long overdue acknowledgement to these brave Métis men and women.”

Minister Chartrand went on to thank Veterans Affairs Canada and the Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis for their assistance in making the monument possible and providing resources for Métis Nation veterans and youth to participate in its dedication ceremony.

For more information contact Greg Taylor, MNC Communications, at (613) 296-9263 or gregt@metisnation.ca.

The MNC represents the Métis Nation in Canada at the national and international level. The Métis Nation’s homeland includes the 3 Prairie Provinces and extends into Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the northern United States. There are approximately 350,000 – 400,000 Métis Nation citizens in Canada, roughly a quarter of all Aboriginal peoples in the country.