The history of Metis is woven in with the history of Big Valley and the area, so perhaps it’s fitting the 11th annual Metis Hivernant Days are running in conjunction with the Big Valley Centennial and Homecoming celebrations.
Hivernant is Metis meaning “wintering place”.
Metis were already established in the area when survey crews came through the area in the late 1700s.
Marlene Lanz, President of Region 3 of the Metis Nation of Alberta, said the area was a travel corridor for those heading west, and in the 1800s the Metis settlement at Big Valley was the largest Metis settlement west of Winnipeg.
Marlene invites everyone to Hivernant Days, which showcases the Metis way of life and culture. Saturday sees a number of things happening at the Hivernant Days, including a bannock making contest, beading, sash weaving, and voyager games.
There will be a float in the Big Valley parade, they’ve been working with the library on children’s programs for the town’s celebrations, they are hosting a five-dollar breakfast at the Big Valley Drop-In Centre, and Metis dancers will be visiting from the Kikino settlement in northern Alberta.
