A twist of the jig and a flash of the sash were part of the excitement and charm that filled Fort St. James on August 27.
A celebration of the renewal of Métis cultural interpretation at the historic site was enjoyed by 300 people who listened to fiddles, threw atlatls, bet on chicken races and danced up a jigging storm.
The events were in partnership with the local Métis community and featured professional jigging instructor Bev Lambert from Vancouver, fiddle player Rene Therrien from Terrace and Raynie and Vern Gervais from Prince George.
Free buffalo burgers were cooked up on site and offered with admission to the historic site, along with the other activities present.
Adding to the event’s importance and aims of re-connecting Métis past with the Fort was the presence of living relatives of the fur post’s past.
The grandson of the late fur trade factor A.C. Murray in 1896, Mike Bennie, made for a special occasion as he stayed the night in the house built by his family long ago and is now a central feature of the national historic park.
Following on the heels of this exciting event day, plans continue towards the updating and revamping of the historic site’s non-personal interpretive media and the acquisition of Métis era artifacts in time for summer 2012. For more information on this project as it continues, email stjames@pc.gc.ca to subscribe to newsletters and information updates