Métis fest ’emotional’ for local family

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This article was published 04/09/2012 (4921 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Andy Dubois had a vision — to share his culture, his way of life and his Métis pride with others.

Those were the words spoken by Andy’s wife, Ann Dubois, during the opening ceremonies of the inaugural Koushkoupayi Days over the weekend.

Andy’s dream of hosting a Métis festival on his land finally came to life, but tragically he was not there to see it. After a battle with cancer, Andy passed away last March at the age of 59.

“Andy had pride for the Métis people and he wanted to have something where he could share that with others,” Ann said. “For us to see it come to fruition, it’s very overwhelming and touching, very emotional … He is not here with us today, at least not in body, but we all know he is here in spirit.”

It was a bittersweet time for many in attendance, but Andy’s friends and family made sure it was a lively and successful two-day celebration.

“This I think is very close to what (Andy) would’ve exactly done himself,” said Ron Dubois, Andy’s brother. “We desperately hoped that he could have seen this festival happen, but it obviously wasn’t in the cards.”

The event was held on Andy’s property, about 34 kilometres south of Brandon. It featured traditional music and dancing, cultural booths, voyageur competitions and activities for children.

“Our primary goal is to promote the culture and to celebrate it, and to share it with our community, family and friends,” said festival chair Denise Dyck. “And just to get to know each other and who we are … We were part of the beginning of Canada, so it’s something to be proud of and celebrate.”

The name of the festival, Koushkoupayi Days, was announced on Saturday. It means “wake up” in Michif.

Several years ago, Ron said he and his family members weren’t very tuned in to their Métis cultural roots.

“At some point, something triggered in (Andy), and we started to realize that the reason why we like certain things, and certain things meant a lot to us, was because of our culture,” Ron said. “So he actually was the one that joined the (Grand Valley local) first, and then got me involved afterwards, so then the idea came of this festival.”

Family and friends have worked hard on the event and plan to make it an annual tradition.

Hundreds of people came out to the festival, which was hosted by the Grand Valley local of the Manitoba Métis Federation, Southwest Region.

“When I turned at the top of the hill and looked down to the valley, saw all the campers and the tents and the people, I just started to smile,” said Leah LaPlante, vice-president of the MMF, Southwest Region. “I was thinking, ‘OK, if they can do this for their first year, this is going to grow into something really, really great.’”

LaPlante said it’s important to celebrate the culture and history of the Métis people.

“Back 40, 50 years ago when the MMF started, it was a very negative connotation to be called a Métis or a Michif person, not so today. It seems to be the happening thing,” she said.

“I think the MMF in Manitoba in large part has been right at the forefront in bringing out that pride, and building our communities and our people … so I’m very, very proud here today.”

» jaustin@brandonsun.com