“Monument Honoring Métis History Unveiled in Manitoba”

A monument honoring the Métis community’s history in Ste. Madeleine was revealed at the site in western Manitoba over the weekend. The Manitoba Métis Federation unveiled a large plaque during the Ste. Madeleine Métis Days celebrations at the historic community near the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border on Saturday. In the late 1800s, Métis settlers established themselves in Ste. Madeleine after fleeing violence and discrimination following two Métis uprisings in present-day Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The community’s population grew to around 250 people by the mid-1930s. Facing crop failures, soil erosion, and the effects of the Great Depression, the federal government initiated a program to convert underutilized land into communal pastures. Ste. Madeleine was chosen for this initiative, resulting in the forced displacement of its residents, starting in 1938. Houses were destroyed, and the once-thriving community was transformed into pastureland. MMF President David Chartrand emphasized the importance of the unveiled monument, highlighting the 88-year journey since the community’s destruction. MMF Culture and Heritage Minister Barbara Fleury, whose late husband’s family hailed from Ste. Madeleine, shared the personal impact of the displacement on her family. MMF Natural Resources and Identity Protection Minister Will Goodon underscored the significance of remembering Ste. Madeleine’s history, emphasizing the resilience of the community’s descendants who continue to honor their roots.