2010: The Year of the Metis

Dallas Fiddler Contributor

Hello, Seven Youth Readers. My name is Dallas Fiddler-Boyer. I am a 20-year-old Métis youth from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I have lived here all my life. When I was 9 years old I attended a three-day Métis celebration at Batoche, Saskatchewan  and fell in love with who I was and my background culture. Not knowing much about my Métis heritage, I heard the Métis fiddle and saw how the Métis jig went in perfect time to the upbeat, toe-tapping, lively, happy sound of the Metis fiddle music, and from that day on I wanted to take up, learn, and play the Métis fiddle. After the three-day Métis celebration. I asked my parents if I can get my own fiddle and learn how to play. It took a while for my parents to get me a fiddle, but after asking them a few times, they rented me a fiddle, and put me in lessons. I took two years of lessons by music teacher Everett Larson. After two years of taking lessons with Everett I started learning songs from CD’s and from other fiddle players in Saskatoon including John Arcand, master of the Métis fiddle and Lenny Dumont.

Many times people ask me questions like why I play old time/Métis fiddle, and what made me learn to play the fiddle. There are a few reasons why I play old time/Métis fiddle. I play Métis fiddle mainly to show and share my Métis culture, and to show people what my Métis ancestors used to do way back in the day. Another reason why I play Métis fiddle is to show how proud I am to play my culture’s music.

Growing up, my grandma always told me, “Never be ashamed of who you are, always be proud of who you are, and where you come from.’’ I also play for the feeling. There is no better feeling when I am on stage playing for people who are just sitting there, listening and enjoying the Métis music, or for people who are dancing. As the years go on I plan on continuing teaching, playing, and sharing my Métis culture.

Since I started playing I got the chance to learn even more about my Métis culture. I have performed all over in and around Saskatchewan with my father, Phil Boyer who plays guitar for me. I have had the chance to perform with well-known musician, songwriter, singer, and fiddle player Donny Parenteau.  I am a member of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and perform at numerous Métis events. In January, I was asked to give a speech at the Olympic Torch Run here in Saskatoon.

More recently I spent sixteen days at the 2010  Indigenous Youth Gathering with 300 Aboriginal youth from across Canada. The 300 youth including myself performed our Aboriginal dances in the Athlete’s Parade at the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies.  I was proud to be representing the Métis Nation of Canada.

I received a few awards for my fiddle including the Sasktel Aboriginal Youth Award of Excellence for Fine Arts/Performing Arts, (CUMFI) Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.- Building A Strong Community Scholarship, E.D Feehan High School Certificate of Recognition Aboriginal Music Award.

This year is a big year for the Métis people of Canada. The Government of Canada recognized 2010 the Year of the Métis, so there will be many Métis events going on across Canada. 2010 is also the 125th year since the Battle of Batoche.  Back to Batoche is a family event to celebrate the Métis people. It usually runs for 3 days, but this year it is a seven-day celebration of Métis culture, open to everyone and I invite all readers to come down and help the Métis celebrate the long lasting culture. Back to Batoche runs from July 18th- July 25th 2010.

For more information on Back to Batoche check out the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan website.