By Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research

Honoring Outstanding Service

25 Recipients Invested Into Order of Gabriel Dumont

Jan 15, 2020 | 9:48 AM

Gabriel Dumont Institute celebrates 40th anniversary serving Métis students in Saskatchewan

Saskatoon-based Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research (GDI), a Métis-owned post-secondary and cultural institution with campuses across Saskatchewan, is proud to announce it will invest 25 individuals into the Order of Gabriel Dumont at GDI’s upcoming 40th Anniversary Cultural and Educational Conference.

“The Order of Gabriel Dumont is awarded by the Gabriel Dumont Institute to persons who have distinguished themselves with outstanding service to the Métis of Canada,” said Geordy McCaffrey, GDI executive director. “It is one of the Métis Nation’s highest civilian honours, awarded to Métis and non-Métis individuals based on their achievements and lifetime contributions.”

The medals, which will be presented on the evenings of February 6 & 7, 2020 (see below for details), include three Gold Medals, two Silver Medals, and 20 Bronze Medals.

The Order of Gabriel Dumont Gold Medal recognizes lifetime of outstanding service to the Métis of Canada.

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The Order of Gabriel Dumont Silver Medal honours those who have made significant contributions to the Métis. The Order of Gabriel Dumont Bronze Medal honours GDI students and alumni who have distinguished themselves through leadership, community involvement, and overall performance.

Since its inception, 48 individuals have been invested into the Order. Appointments are made by GDI, based on nominations from the public.

For more information about the Order of Gabriel Dumont, please visit our website.

Gabriel Dumont Institute leaders will present the insignia of the Order of Gabriel Dumont as follows. Thursday February 6, 2020, 6PM, Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre Order of Gabriel Dumont Bronze Medal

Friday February 7, 2020, 6PM Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre Order of Gabriel Dumont Gold Medal Order of Gabriel Dumont Silver Medal 2

THE ORDER OF GABRIEL DUMONT—GOLD

Jean Baptiste (John) Arcand Saskatoon Area John Arcand is renowned for his contribution to preserving, promoting, and sharing Métis fiddle music. He has composed almost 400 original fiddle tunes and released over 10 CDs. The annual John Arcand Fiddle Fest, which he founded over 20 years ago, attracts fans of fiddle music from across the world. For his dedication and contributions to preserving Métis and Canadian heritage, John Arcand has received numerous awards, including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the Order of Canada, the National Aboriginal Achievement (now Indspire) Award, and the Canada Council’s Molson Prize.

Lawrence J. Barkwell, Posthumous Winnipeg, Manitoba Lawrence Barkwell had a distinguished career with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MFF) as the Director of the Métis Justice Institute and as the Louis Riel Institute’s Coordinator of Métis Heritage and History. He wrote or edited 11 books and contributed 1,450 articles for the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture. He generously shared his knowledge and mentored many students, researchers, and community members. A passionate bead artisan, he made his own traditional Métis-style clothes. For his contributions, the MMF made Lawrence Barkwell an honorary Métis—the first and only non-Métis to receive this honour.

Clément Chartier, QC. Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan Clément (Clem) Chartier of Buffalo Narrows was born at Ile a la Crosse where he later attended residential school. He is a lawyer, writer, lecturer and activist who has served in both political and administrative capacities with numerous Indigenous peoples’ organizations nationally and internationally. Mr. Chartier is currently serving his fifth-term as President of the Métis National Council. He has pushed the Métis Nation’s rights agenda at various levels of Canada’s judicial system and continues to provide counsel in on-going Métis-specific cases. In particular, President Chartier has defended a number of Métis hunting and fishing rights test cases across Saskatchewan, including R. v. Morin and Daigneault (1997) which established harvesting rights in northern Saskatchewan and R. v. Belhumeur (2007) which established harvesting rights in the Qu’Appelle Valley Area. Over the past three years, President Chartier has successfully led the Métis Nation in the new nation-to-nation relationship with Canada, and securing, the first time in the Métis Nation’s history, over $2 billion in the last two federal budgets. This included funding for Métis post-secondary education.

3 THE ORDER OF GABRIEL DUMONT—SILVER

Glenn Lafleur Beauval, Saskatchewan

Glenn Lafleur served on the Gabriel Dumont Institute Board for 15 years. He is a community leader who has volunteered to work with youth, serving as treasurer of the Crushers Hockey League, a board member for the Ice Wolves, and council member for the Northern Lights School Division. Mr. Lafleur has been instrumental in attracting corporate financial assistance for Métis students in Saskatchewan.

Norma Welsh Regina, Saskatchewan

Norma Welsh has spent most of her adult life promoting Métis culture and well-being. She was the first board member of the Gabriel Housing Corporation (GHC). A Regina residential complex owned by the GHC has been named “Norma Welsh Manor” in her honour. A respected Elder, Ms. Welsh has shared stories and oral history on the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture, and is a dependable source of wisdom for students and staff at the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) in Regina. Norma Welsh is renowned for her volunteer work at Métis events.

THE ORDER OF GABRIEL DUMONT—BRONZE