Métis Crossing Interpretive Panels

The land, the river, and the relationships that connect us to both — that’s what this panel is about. The Métis homeland isn’t just a place on a map; it’s where identity takes root. The audio clips on this page deepen that conversation. Hear from Audrey Poitras, Breena Johnson, Cheryl Devin, Finn Johnson, and Paul Bercier as they reflect on what it means to belong to this land, how that connection shapes daily life, and why stewardship of the natural world has always been part of who the Métis people are.

The panel in front of you traces the story of how the Métis people became a nation — through resistance, rights, and an unwavering sense of who we are. The audio clips on this page go further. Hear directly from members of the Alberta Métis community — including Audrey Poitras, Breena Johnson, Cheryl Devin, Finn Johnson, and Paul Bercier — as they share what Métis self-determination means in their own lives and why the fight for recognition continues to shape the community today. These are the voices behind the history.

Métis culture isn’t just history — it’s alive, and it shows up in the beadwork, the music, the language, and the way knowledge is passed from one generation to the next. The audio clips on this page bring that to life. Community members Audrey Poitras, Breena Johnson, Cheryl Devin, Finn Johnson, and Paul Bercier share what Métis culture means to them personally — the traditions they carry, the pride they feel, and why keeping these connections strong matters now more than ever. Take a moment to listen. There’s more here than any panel can hold.

From the fur trade to a solar-powered bison ranch, the Métis have always found ways to build a future on their own terms. The panel in front of you tells part of that story. The audio clips on this page tell more of it. Audrey Poitras, Breena Johnson, Cheryl Devin, Finn Johnson, and Paul Bercier — each with deep roots in Métis economic and community life — share their perspectives on what it means to be self-sufficient as a people, and what a sustainable future looks like when it’s built by and for the Métis Nation.