Ile-à-la Crosse nearly ready for 250th anniversary celebration

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Formally founded in 1776 with a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, Ile-à-la Crosse quickly became a centre of commerce and culture in the fur trade era. The community played a pivotal role in shaping the Métis Nation and has remained a cradle of Indigenous knowledge, resilience, and leadership for more than two centuries. 

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With its strategic location on the Churchill River system, Ile-à-la Crosse has long served as a vital meeting ground for Métis, Dene, Cree, and European peoples. It played an important role for trade, diplomacy, and kinship. 

“Ile-a-la Crosse was central back in the day because we didn’t have the roads, so the roads were the waterways and that’s why it was a central location,” Belanger explained. 

Festivities will begin July 3 with an opening ceremony and a re-enactment of the signing of Treaty 10. Treaty 10 was signed in 1906 along the shore of Ile-a-la Crosse and Belanger have invited First Nations chiefs whose bands were part of it to join them. 

Throughout the week, there will be a variety of activities with the American country music band Blackhawk taking the stage on July 4. There will also be a $50,000 radio and TV bingo, a $25,000 square dancing and jigging contest, and a $25,000 slow-pitch tournament.  

In addition, the local friendship centre will be hosting a cultural village and will be serving lunch every day to all attendees. There will also be theatrical productions, canoe races, historical tours, special appearances from well-known artists and Métis performers, a memorial unveiling and more.  

“Two hundred and fifty years of survival is amazing,” Belanger remarked. 

“We’re inviting all the folks we can think of from back in the day to come home and be with us and visit with us and celebrate with us.” 

More information of the event, including accommodation details, can be found on the community celebration website online here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com