The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is urging the Town of St. Paul to acknowledge its Métis heritage and revert to its original name. Grant Lacombe, the provincial secretary of harvesting and culture for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, emphasized the importance of recognizing the community’s historical identity as St. Paul des Métis.
Lacombe highlighted the significance of restoring the name to honor the overlooked history and address past injustices. He expressed that renaming the town to St. Paul des Métis would be a positive step towards acknowledging the livelihoods and heritage that were impacted by historical events.
Established in 1896 as a Métis agricultural settlement, the community has a rich history tied to the advocacy of individuals like Father Albert Lacombe, who sought to secure land for Métis people as bison populations dwindled. However, in 1909, the lands were opened to non-Métis settlers, leading to protests from the Métis families and prompting many to relocate.
St. Paul des Métis, formerly known as St-Paul-des-Métis, officially changed its name to St. Paul in 1936 upon its town incorporation. For Lacombe, this history holds personal significance as he is a descendant of one of the original families of St. Paul des Métis, maintaining a strong connection to the community’s past.
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is also advocating for the installation of a traditional wooden Red River cart at a prominent community entrance to symbolize Métis identity and heritage. Lacombe emphasized the cart’s cultural importance in reflecting Métis heritage and welcoming all to the community.
Despite multiple attempts to engage with the Town of St. Paul, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government has not received a response to their requests for dialogue. Lacombe expressed the desire for respectful discussions with the council to address the proposed initiatives and promote understanding of the community’s history.
In response, Steven Jeffery, the chief administrative officer for St. Paul, acknowledged receiving a letter from the Otipemisiwak Métis Government but stated that no follow-up action was directed by the council. He expressed openness to future discussions to facilitate mutual understanding of the region’s history and work collaboratively towards common goals. Jeffery reiterated the town’s commitment to inclusivity and willingness to engage with Métis representatives to further explore the proposed initiatives.