The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is bringing its first-ever Kitchen Party Tour to Lac La Biche, offering an evening of music, dancing, storytelling and community connection while celebrating Métis culture and history.
The event will take place at McArthur Place on June 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. and is one of 15 stops planned across Alberta. Guided by the spirit of Âstam Pi Kîyoki, meaning ‘Come and Visit,’ the tour is designed to bring traditional Métis gatherings back into communities while helping people learn more about Métis culture.
President Andrea Sandmaier said the tour is part of a larger effort to share the Métis story across Alberta. “One of our goals this year, and even in the next couple of years, is really to tell the Métis story of the Métis in Alberta, and the kitchen party is one of those ways to tell the story of who we are as Métis people.”
She said that kitchen parties have been a part of Métis culture for a long time, bringing together family, friends and neighbours through music, dancing and storytelling.
“For generations, our families gathered in kitchens and yards, community spaces, they had barn dances, and after long days, our Métis parents, grandparents, our Mooshum, our Kookums would pull up chairs, play the fiddle, dance, and share stories.”
Sandmaier said those gatherings played and important role in preserving Métis identity through difficult periods in history when many Métis people felt they had to hide who they were. “We really want to bring our history, our culture, our way out to our own citizens, but as well as non-Indigenous folks, so they know who we are, and that we have a history here in Alberta that predates Alberta becoming a province.”
The tour is also an opportunity for younger generations and people reconnecting with their culture to learn more about their heritage. “We want to make sure that they now who we are, that we are a distinct Indigenous people. We are Métis,” Sandmaier said. “It is very important for our youth to know who they are, be proud of who they are.”
Elders and Knowledge Keepers will also play an important role throughout the event. “Our Knowledge Keepers, our Elders are so important to preserving our culture and our history. They’re the ones that right now are carrying those stories.” she said. “They’re the ones that we need to share those stories, so that we keep our culture alive and we keep our history alive. So it’s very important that our Elders and Knowledge Keepers are present at all of our events, so that they can pass down those stories with the youth and with others.”
The evening will feature live music, dancing, storytelling and activities for children and youth. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn traditional dances, including the Red River Jig.
“Bring your dancing shoes,” said Sandmaier. “Expect lots of great music, lots of great company. We are all about visiting, so come with your stories, come to learn about who we are as Métis people.”
After the Lac La Biche stop, the Kitchen Party Tour will continue to communities across Alberta before wrapping up in Whitecourt on July 26.
