Penetanguishene, Ontario…………….August
1, 2008. Discovery
Harbour will celebrate the dynamic heritage and culture of the
Métis people with its third annual Métis Day Bo’jou
Neejee on Saturday, August 9.
The Métis people have a strong connection to Discovery Harbour
since they were part of the military migration from Drummond Island
to the original Penetanguishene base in 1828 when the boundaries between
Canada and the United States were established.
Métis Day Bo’jou Neejee offers a fascinating
collection of activities, exhibits, and demonstrations that showcase
Métis culture and its connection to the Penetanguishene area.
Visitors can see heritage food demonstrations including traditional
bannock making and preparation of fish and soup over an open fire.
Lively music is also a big part of the event, with toe-tapping fiddling,
guitar, and hand-drumming performances from various Métis musicians.
Charlie Fife will perform Métis folk songs, original compositions,
and play guitar as well as his hand-carved cedar flute. Mr. Fife will
also exhibit a cultural display featuring hand-crafted ceremonial
drums and shakers, horn and bone jewellery, and beaded buckskins.
Fife has scripts dating back to 1802 that show his family working
for the Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies, and he can trace the Métis
origin of his family name back to the 1600’s.
Many other Métis artisans will be featured at
the event. Finger-weaving, a traditional skill used to create the
famous Métis ceinture fléchée, will be demonstrated,
as well as the construction of capotes (an historic voyageur coat),
plus rug hooking and moccasin making. Marcel Labelle will show off
his famous canoe craftsmanship with a canoe building and materials
display, and a heritage exhibit from local company Métis Roots
will be present. Kids will love trying their hand at candle-making
and beadwork, and demonstrations of traditional bowdrill and flint
& starter firemaking will occur throughout the day. The history
of the Michif language, a mixture of French and Cree that was used
by fur traders and voyageurs, will be presented, and the popular “Flying
Canoe” puppet show returns to delight little folks and families.
Some artisans will also be offering Métis goods for sale, and
refreshments will be available in the event area.
Free horse-drawn wagon rides will shuttle visitors
to the event area from Discovery Harbour’s main entrance.
The colourful Métis Day Bo’jou Neejee event is at Discovery
Harbour on Saturday, August 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For further
information please call (705) 549-8064.
Discovery Harbour is operated by Huronia Historical
Parks,
and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.
High-resolution photos are available upon request via the contact
below.
-30-
Media Contact:
Bill Brodeur
Coordinator,
Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
(705) 528-7692
bill.brodeur@ontario.ca
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