The Village of Big Valley council agreed to continue an agreement with a Métis non-profit society, a group which said its ambitions in the community didn’t work out as planned. The resolution was passed by council at their Jan. 20 regular meeting.
The Hivernant Métis Cultural Society, represented by Secretary John Parkins, presented to council about a parcel of land the society owns on the north side of town.
Parkins began his presentation by noting the Hivernant group has existed for about 21 years and was formed in Big Valley as a reflection of its substantial Métis roots.
Parkins stated that in the past the society had large storyboards that provided interpretive and historical information about Métis culture, and the society liked to present to the public on Heritage Day weekend; to begin with, the society was hosted by friends, members or others at a home or other venue but the society eventually decided it would like to have its own land and, ideally, its own building.
Parkins noted the society began looking for a new home, and a few sites were investigated but didn’t work out. However, one parcel of land did work out: Parkins stated it was the old grader shed site on the north end of town.
Additionally, Parkins noted that after the Hivernant group acquired the parcel, they came to an agreement with the Village of Big Valley to, when needed, use public land on either side of the grader shed for special events.
Parkins further noted the Hivernant group received some grant funding to do the storyboards.
However, he confirmed the society wasn’t able to meet the construction deadlines which were included in a previous agreement with the Village of Big Valley. He said the Hivernant group wanted to know if the village would allow the Hivernant group to continue using the public spaces essentially as they have been doing even though no structure is developed.
“We will probably not be able to proceed,” said Parkins.
He explained the Hivernant group has lost a lot of members over the past few years for various reasons, including some passing away, some moving out of the community and some leaving the group to do other things.
He added that the Hivernant group has been struggling with membership for some time now with recent events held in Red Deer.
He noted, however, the group doesn’t want to give up its Big Valley property.
Coun. Tim Field asked how many Big Valley residents still belong to the group with Parkins responding about half a dozen. At one time, he added, the majority of Hivernant members were Big Valley residents.
Coun. Dan Houle stated he didn’t see any issue with leaving the storyboards where they are as the village hasn’t had anyone voice interest in buying those lots. Houle stated he liked the idea of having some local history available for people to read, further noting Big Valley is located on the edge of Treaty #6 lands.
Parkins responded there is rich Métis heritage in the Big Valley region.
He also asked that in the future if the village does see interest from the public in purchasing the municipal lots near the Hivernant property that the society be given at least 90 days notice as, for example, trying to move the storyboards in winter weather would be difficult.
Councillors unanimously passed a resolution that the Village of Big Valley develop an agreement with the Hivernant Métis Cultural Society for use of municipal land, including 90 days notice of sale of said land if applicable.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review