Madame President of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Andrea Sandmaier speaking at the ribbon cutting event at the Cecil Bellrose Manor event (Photo Credits - Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is calling on the Town of St. Paul to recognize its Métis history and revert to its earlier name.
The Métis Government said in a press release they have sought discussions with the town regarding the community’s historic origins as St. Paul des Métis and opportunities to appropriately recognize its Métis heritage.
Despite repeated outreach over several months, the town has refused to meet according to the Métis Government.
They are requesting that the town explore restoring the community’s historic name, St. Paul des Métis and install a traditional wooden Red River cart at a prominent entrance to the community as a permanent and visible acknowledgment of the area’s Métis heritage.
Established in 1896, St. Paul des Métis was created as a Métis agricultural settlement.
The government said in 1909, the lands were opened to non-Métis settlers, forcing Métis families from their homes, farms, and community.
“Since May, we have made three respectful requests to meet with the Town of St. Paul,” said President Andrea Sandmaier in a press release.
“Unfortunately, those requests have gone unanswered. Reconciliation is built on relationships, mutual respect, and honest conversations, not silence. The Métis are not an afterthought that can simply be swept aside.”
The Métis government said it remains hopeful that the Town of St. Paul will reconsider its position and work collaboratively to acknowledge the community’s unique Métis heritage.
“We are not asking the Town to erase its history,” Sandmaier said.
“We are asking it to embrace the full history of the community by recognizing the people who founded it and whose families were displaced. That conversation should not be difficult for any municipality committed to reconciliation, assuming the St. Paul Town Council is committed.”
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