27-07-2025
Second annual gathering celebrates Métis heritage
A crowd gathered for a market and live performances at Heritage Park on July 26, 2025. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)
A celebration of Métis history, artistry and contributions saw its second year in Stony Plain on Saturday.
Heritage Park hosted mâmawihitowin to highlight the Lac Ste. Anne Métis community. Mâmawihitowin is the Cree word for 'a gathering of peoples.'
'I think Métis history generally is not well known, and particularly when you get to specific communities like ours,' said Tracy Friedel, president of the Lac Ste. Anne Metis Community Association.
'We're really trying to help people better understand Alberta's very distinct, unique history and also our contribution to the building of this province,' Friedel said.
Friedel said the celebration was a way to make people aware that her community was more than a recreational site or site of pilgrimage.
'The community has been there for many decades prior to any of that,' she said.
Indigenous artisan market
The Indigenous artisan market in Heritage Park on July 26, 2025. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)
The day was filled with kids' events like horse and wagon rides, face painting and games. Entertainment for the parents includes an Indigenous artisan market including traditional foods.
Friedel noted that the Lac Ste. Anne Métis community was awarded a Federal Lands Initiative property in Stony Plain.
That means a 52-unit, multi-family development is coming to the area around 2027.
'We're very honoured to be able to lead those projects for the community,' Friedel said.
