President’s Corner: May 30, 2026
Posted on: May 29, 2026
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to reflect on the stories, traditions, and resilience that have carried Indigenous Peoples forward for generations. For the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, it is also a time to honour the depth of our Métis roots and the communities that helped shape our Nation. From Fort Chipewyan to Fort Vermilion, Tail Creek, St. Paul des Métis, and communities across Alberta, Métis families have built lives grounded in kinship, resilience, and a deep connection to the land.
Our history is not a simple one. We remember the promises that were broken, the displacement many Métis families faced, and the ways our people were too often made to feel they had to hide who they were. But we also remember the strength of our ancestors. The people who carried our culture forward through fiddle music, jigging, beadwork, language, storytelling, and gatherings around kitchen tables.
That spirit is what inspired our Kitchen Party Tour this summer.
For the first time, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is bringing Kitchen Parties to communities across Alberta, guided by the spirit of Âstam Pi Kîyōki – “Come and Visit.” These gatherings are about more than music and dancing. They’re about bringing Citizens together, sharing stories, reconnecting with community, and carrying our traditions forward in a way that is living and meaningful.
As we travel throughout Alberta, we are also recognizing the important Métis history rooted in these communities. In St. Paul des Métis, for example, Métis families built homes, farms, and strong communities long before many were later displaced from the lands they helped shape. Efforts to restore and recognize the historic name St. Paul des Métis are an important reminder that Métis history is deeply woven into Alberta’s story.
As Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, we are continuing to build a future rooted in self-determination, pride, and community. I hope many of you will join us throughout the summer as we celebrate our culture, honour the generations who carried it forward before us, and continue building a strong future together.
President Andrea Sandmaier
Otipemisiwak Métis Government