Indigenous Métis culture and the appearance of a rare white bison in Alberta, Canada

Métis Crossing, a community nestled 110 kilometers northeast of Edmonton, is a beacon of hope and optimism for the Métis people. This thriving community, spanning over 700 hectares, is a testament to the resilience and determination of its founders.

One of the key figures behind Métis Crossing is Lilyrose Meyers, a descendant of a Cree woman and an immigrant from Hamburg. Since 2005, Meyers has been working tirelessly to make the heritage of her ancestors visible. Her efforts have borne fruit, culminating in the creation of social spaces, a modern hotel, a restaurant, a museum, and vast pastures for raising plains and woodland bison, horses, and deer.

A particular attraction at Métis Crossing is a small herd of white bison, a spiritual symbol of hope for many Métis people. The return of these bison not only secures a species but also returns a piece of cultural identity to the Métis people. The population of bison at Métis Crossing grows by about 20 percent each year, and for seven years, most of the young ones have been given to Cree, Blackfoot, and Métis, creating new herds that give hope and strength to these communities.

Cliff Matthews, the individual who took the initiative to found Métis Crossing and has been promoting the project since 2005, shares Meyers' vision. The construction of the community center at Métis Crossing marked a new chapter for the community, a chapter that the Métis themselves determined.

Meyers' journey, however, has not been without challenges. She experienced the phase of state-run residential schools where children of the Métis and other indigenous peoples were taken from their families, robbed of their language, and often abused. Despite these hardships, Meyers and her fellow Métis have persevered, using their experiences as a driving force to preserve and celebrate their culture.

Métis Crossing stands as a testament to the spirit of the Métis people, a symbol of hope and resilience. Through the return of the white bison and the continued growth of the community, the Métis are reclaiming their cultural identity and passing it on to future generations.

Indigenous Métis culture and the appearance of a rare white bison in Alberta, Canada