To help foster healing and connection with the land, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta hosted 30 Métis residential school Survivors at Métis Crossing.
This first-of-its-kind program provided an opportunity for participants to deeply engage with Métis heritage and culture through guided cultural art sessions, the use of traditional medicine and live entertainment.
Windspeaker Radio Network spoke with Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta, saying that choosing Métis Crossing for the gathering was good for the survivors to make them feel like they are at home.
MNA President Andrea Sandmaier at the Metis Residential School survivors gathering at Metis Crossing (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
Sandmaier speaks on the orange designed Métis sashes that were created to be gifted to the survivors that gathered at Métis Crossing.
MNA President Andrea Sandmaier giving an Orange Sash to Residential School Survivor Angie Crerar at Metis Crossing (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
Sandmaier says that the stories shared with the Residential School survivors matter in connection with healing, and mentions that Angie Crerar, a survivor of the Residential School in Fort Resolution, refers to her as a leader, along with bringing comfort to other survivors.
Metis Residential School Survivors donning the Orange Sash at Metis Crossing (Photo Credits- Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
