Ste. Madeleine Days and Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs 2024
“Ste. Madeleine Metis Days are July 19th, 20th, and 21st, and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is in Brandon on July 23rd, 24th, and 25th.
I was honoured to be invited to attend the Metis days in Ste. Madeleine and to be a part of celebrating the Sunday Communion Service with Deacon Darin Douglas.
I had the opportunity to meet and associate with many members from the community and we had a beautiful Sunday morning celebration with many in attendance.
Prior to our Liturgy celebration, some of the members of Ste. Madeleine’s community carried a huge cross, with the metis emblem to be erected near the bell tower, followed by the blessing of the cross by Deacon Darin Douglas. Eight members of the community processed in with the cross on their shoulders. What a meaningful gesture of piety.
We then had the cross set in a four-foot hole previously dug. An elder, John Fleury, was a part of all the ceremonies of the cross.
Dave Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), was also part of this meaningful and important part of placing this cross in the Ste. Madeleine cemetery.
I also had the opportunity to meet Dave Chartrand and the Premier of Manitoba, Wab Kinew, and have my picture taken with both of them.
Again, I was honored to be invited to the gathering of the Assembly Of Manitoba Chiefs in Brandon which was hosted by WayWayseecappo First Nations.
The host, Chief Murry Clearsky, asked me to say a few words about my ministry and share a prayer for all who were in attendance. An elder from WayWayseecappo was asked also to say a few words along with a prayer in the Ojibway language.
Meals were well provided and I was treated as one of their elders, but also as their Deacon who ministered to their people, by walking together and respecting one another traditions and cultures.
It certainly was a heartwarming experience, and it made me realize how much progress has been made in the past 14 years regarding the relationship with the Church and the First Nations Communities that we are presently serving.
I had the opportunity to meet with the National Chief, Cathy Merritt, who was voted back in for another term. I also had the opportunity to meet with many of the Manitoba Chiefs and hear about the different difficulties in their communities.
July has been a time of appreciation for my ministry and for all that I have been able to experience with the Métis people. I am specifically appreciative of the honour of attending the gathering of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
It certainly is something that I will never forget, and I am thankful to God and the Archdiocese of Winnipeg for making all of this happen.”
– Deacon Conrad Plante
