A monument honoring the Métis community’s history in Ste. Madeleine, who faced displacement when the settlement was destroyed by the federal government in the 1930s, was unveiled at the site in western Manitoba over the weekend.
The Manitoba Métis Federation presented a significant plaque during the Ste. Madeleine Métis Days festivities at the 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 what is now Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
By the mid-1930s, the community had grown to around 250 residents. However, challenges such as failing crops, soil erosion, and the effects of severe droughts and the Great Depression led to Canadian farmers abandoning their lands. To address this, the federal government initiated a program to convert supposedly underutilized land into communal pastures.
Ste. Madeleine was chosen for this program, resulting in the dismantling of the community and the forced displacement of its inhabitants starting in 1938. Homes were destroyed, and the community was transformed into pastureland.
MMF President David Chartrand emphasized that the unveiling of the monument after 88 years signifies the enduring journey of the Métis community. He highlighted the historical significance of the site as the former home of Red River Métis citizens, unjustly taken by the government.
MMF Culture and Heritage Minister Barbara Fleury, whose late husband’s family descended from displaced Ste. Madeleine residents, shared personal connections to the site. She recounted how her father-in-law, who was a child at the time, witnessed the burning of homes in the settlement, emphasizing the emotional impact and the importance of preserving family history.
MMF Natural Resources and Identity Protection Minister Will Goodon stressed the significance of remembering the history of Ste. Madeleine. He highlighted the resilience of the community’s descendants and the importance of nurturing their heritage for future generations.
The descendants of the Ste. Madeleine community had the opportunity to reunite with their land and each other during the event, keeping the memory of their ancestors alive through the years. Goodon emphasized the importance of nurturing their roots and ensuring their continued growth.