THURSDAY
S I N C E
NOVEMBER 14, 2013
1 8 9 5 Smokies make moves
Vol. 118, Issue 180
105
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Metis flag to fly in Trail for Louis Riel Day
Flag raising at city hall on Friday
is superimposed with a white infinity symbol to represent the mixing of European immigrants BY SHERI REGNIER and First Nations people and Times Staff the endurance of the culture It’s been a memorable year of through hardships. firsts for Marilyn Taylor. “We have a significant The Trail retired nurse is in Metis population in Trail and her inaugural year as regional the region,” said the mayor. director of the Kootenay Metis “It is important to honour and Nation of B.C. (MNBC) and for respect Metis culture in our the first time in Trail history, community.” will witness the raising of the Louis Riel Day is observed Metis flag at city Nov. 16 in areas hall Friday at 11 across Canada to “For many a.m. commemorate the years we were Taylor and Myrtle leader’s life and to Servatius, president celebrate Metis culinvisible in the of Kootenay South ture, language and community. Metis, approached heritage. We are the only Trail Mayor Dieter Bruce Dumont, Bogs last month, MNBC president, region in the on behalf of 400 will be in town for Kootenays that local Metis people, the flag raising and hasn’t flown to request the flag guest of honour at raising in honour of the Louis Riel Day the flag on Louis Riel, a spiritgathering Saturday November 16.” ual and political at 5 p.m. in the Trail MARILYN TAYLOR Metis leader hanged United Church hall. for treason after a Earlier this fall, controversial trial, Dumont stood at Nov. 16, 1885. Taylor’s side when he bestowed “For many years we were upon her the honour of another invisible in the community,” historical “first.” said Taylor, adding, “we are the During the Nation’s only region in the Kootenays September annual general that hasn’t flown the flag on meeting in Vancouver, he surNovember 16. prised Taylor by announcing she “This is the first time we would be the first Metis person have asked the city to raise our in the province to ring Marie flag,” she explained. Antoinette, otherwise known as “And with the good response the Bell of Batoche. we will be happy to see it flying The 20-pound silver bell was this year.” stolen from the steeple of St. The blue Metis flag, which Anthony of Padua Church in will be flown until Monday, Batoche, Sask., by federal sol-
Community theatre ensemble ready for annual performance
BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
For more than two decades a local community theatre has been bringing the power of stories to the stage. Keeping with tradition, the Columbia Phoenix Players will present five one-act plays this weekend in the intimate cafe setting of Phoenix Cafe IV. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Iona Hall of St. Andrews Anglican Church
“ I want to know more about mutual funds.”
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Marilyn Taylor, regional director Kootenay Metis Nation B.C., will walk up Pine Avenue to city hall on Friday at 11 a.m. to witness the raising of the Metis flag for the first time in Trail’s history. in Trail. The 11 actors taking part in the show range from ages 15 to 50, with three families of mother and sons, and mother and daughter ensembles. The show’s producer, Helen James, chose the five short plays based on the varying acting abilities of the Greater Trail troupe with each act lasting seven to 15 minutes in length. “I sat down and read at least 50 plays before choosing these five,” said James.
“We keep in mind who is likely to come out to rehearsals and try our best to fit everyone in.” The show opens with a grassroots performance by Timberlyn Miles and Vivian Campsall with Joseph French, a seasoned Players member, in a Canadian play by Rosemary de Graff titled “Down to Earth,” which tells the story of a son, his mother’s farm, and her fierce resistance to change in light of a husband’s indiscretion.
diers on May 18, 1885, following an unsuccessful Metis uprising lead by Louis Riel against the Canadian government. “I was so overwhelmed by the honour given to me by Bruce Dumont,” said Taylor. “I dropped to my knees and cried. I was so emotional that I couldn’t speak.” Taylor recalls childhood visits to her aunt’s farm in Saskatchewan and attending Sunday mass at the Batoche church. “There was no bell,” she said. “But they didn’t talk about it much because back then Metis were discriminated against.” The Bell of Batoche had an arduous journey back to Western Canada beginning in the 1930’s when it was hung above the Millbrook Ont. fire station, Ironically, the bell was damaged in a blaze at the fire hall, thereafter remaining hidden from view until the late ‘60s, when it resurfaced on display in the Millbrook Legion. In 1967, the federal government requested the RCMP to retrieve the bell and return it to Batoche, but the Legion refused, claiming Marie was a trophy of war. Western Metis leaders again requested the bell’s return in 1989 and 1991, but the Legion held on to the war relic. It was during these events when Taylor became involved with the Metis Nation, and read about Marie’s history. See TAYLOR, Page 3 The second and third acts will step away from drama and bring tongue-in-cheek humour about love letters in a play called “Post -Its,” which chronicles the ups and downs of a relationship, followed by “Escape From Golf Camp,” a comedy about two self-acknowledged golfaholics. Joseph French, a 17-year old who brings acting flair to three plays, is old hat to the stage, having started with the theatre company at the age of nine. See SHOWS, Page 3
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