(Surrey, BC) – This past weekend thousands of people were in attendance at the Fusion Festival in Surrey, BC in a celebration of culture. Métis people were proud to be represented in a Metis pavilion where hundreds of interested festival seekers learned about Metis culture. Dignitaries and politicians alike were on hand to witness the Metis lead a parade of cultures as part of the Canadian mosaic. People were fiddling, listening to traditional Metis music, playing spoons, jigging and eating bannock.

BC Metis Federation Secretary Joe Desjarlais stated, “I participated in the parade where thousands along the pathway took pictures and celebrated Metis as a founding people in Canada. This was a proud moment for me personally because it demonstrated that Metis people and communities and their culture and histories have a central place in Canadian society.”

BC Metis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “Thank you to everyone including President Ken Fisher of the Nova Mètis Heritage Association in Surrey, Director Derrick Whiteskycloud of the Michif Historical and Cultural Preservation Society, the Métis Silver Tip Swingers, plus a number BC Métis Federation board members and friends who supported the Métis pavilion all weekend.”

BC Métis Federation President Henry added, “It was great to witness the team work by so many and our Métis pavilion was busy all weekend. Thank you BC Métis Federation cultural ambassador Beverly Lambert for her efforts to coordinate and ensure we put on a great cultural showcase.”

BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “BC Métis Federation continues to work with our partners to bring forward the successful Summer of Culture campaign. This was another tremendous success and I hope our friends will join us on Tuesday, July 23rd for the next event at our special Evening of Culture celebration being hosted in Stanley Park at the Klahowya Village in Vancouver from 6-9 PM. Our leadership and support team continues to feel great to witness the growing pride and education through these numerous events. Thank you all!.”
For Evening of Culture event details or for more information about the BC Métis Federation please go to www.bcmetis.com.

Media Inquiries:
Keith Henry
President
BC Métis Federation
#300-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
Office 1-604-638-7220
Cell 1-778-388-5013
Email k.henry@bcmetis.com
You can now follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis

[ilink url=”http://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-July-21st-2013-Summer-of-Culture-Fusion-Festival.pdf” style=”download”]2013 Summer of Culture Fusion Festival[/ilink]