Pembina Red River Metis Local host vibrant dance
The Pembina Red River Metis Local proudly hosted a vibrant dance at Belmont Hall on November 30, with the renowned Mike Malcolm Band delivering a dynamic array of music, from energetic jigs to classic country and western, captivating everyone in attendance.
Organizer Stephen Petrie confidently stepped forward to revive community gatherings after a long pause since the pandemic. “It was definitely time for another event, so I took initiative and brought our music to a wider audience. By inviting a top-tier Metis band, celebrated for their talent, we wanted to make this dance unforgettable. We hope it will inspire similar events elsewhere, as engaging the community and getting people involved are our top priorities. Initiatives like this are vital for building and energizing our membership, which already exceeds 250 in the Pembina Red River Metis Local, spanning from highways 18 to 75 and from highway 2 down to the Canada/US border. We are determined to grow that number further. There are countless Metis in our region who can join us. We are confident that our exciting initiatives and vibrant community spirit will spark their interest and inspire them to become part of our growing family.”
The Mike Malcolm Band is an incredible group of very talented musicians! They played a wide variety of music and did it all extremely well, bringing their own music to the masses! Although we were unable to interview the band members during the dance, Stephen was proud to share that the group’s talented artists come from Ste Rose du Lac and Ebb and Flow.
In addition to meeting up with great people (whom I have very much missed seeing) and being treated to the best music anywhere, a huge lunch was also served. The spread took up an entire banquet table, being filled with meats, breads, cheeses, and so many other delicious lunch favourites!
Stephen, an authority on Metis history, actively shares his expertise in local schools, educating students on Metis life, the contributions of veterans, and the enduring legacy of Louis Riel, among many important topics.
Stay tuned for future editions, where we will continue our insightful conversations with Stephen and spotlight the vibrant Metis community in southwestern Manitoba.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Mike Malcolm Band played at Belmont on Sunday, November 30th. The event was hosted by Pembina Red River Metis Local. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
