Métis fiddlers Ethan Graves and Brianna Lizotte
Sherwood Park, AB. — The Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team is hosting a Métis kitchen party, with special guests Métis fiddlers Brianna Lizotte and Ethan Graves. The evening will include food, fiddle music, dancing and activities. All EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and their allies are welcome to attend.
Traditionally, Métis kitchen parties were intimate gatherings in homes, where family and community members would come together to celebrate their heritage through music, dance, and storytelling. These parties often featured Métis folk music, including fiddle tunes, and dances like the Métis jig, which blends French, Indigenous and other cultural influences.
The revival and celebration of Métis kitchen parties with jigging and cultural expression today represents an important act of resistance and cultural reclamation. It serves as a way for Métis communities to assert their identity, connect with their ancestors and pass their traditions on to future generations. The kitchen party is now seen as a celebration of survival and the continuity of Métis culture, in defiance of historical efforts to suppress it. This type of cultural celebration strengthens community ties, fosters pride in Métis heritage and reinforces the importance of cultural preservation and resilience.
“We are so thankful to Brianna Lizotte and Ethan Graves who will join us for our Métis kitchen party to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Métis people,” says Danielle Booker, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Consultant at EIPS. “Through music, dance and storytelling, we hope to create an opportunity for our community to connect, learn and share in the beauty of Métis traditions. Our goal is for everyone who attends to walk away with a deeper appreciation of the Métis culture and the importance of cultural preservation, while also reflecting on the ongoing journey of reconciliation for allies and friends.”
Event Details:
Date: Dec. 9, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Salisbury Composite High
20 Festival Way, Sherwood Park
RSVP by December 6
Representatives of the media are welcome to attend the Métis Kitchen Party.
Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,950 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.
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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902