Lilli Plante (left) and Ava Burgess weaved traditional baskets during the ninth annual Métis Rendezvous August 12 at Pioneer Park in Southampton.

Hub Staff

The Historic Saugeen Métis kept tradition alive at the ninth annual Métis Rendezvous August 12 which celebrated 199 years since Métis settler Pierre Piche arrived and began a successful fur trading business alongside the Anishnaabe people.

Business was profitable and by 1826 the Hudson’s Bay Company set up shop employing First Nations people, Métis and other settlers who depended on the local First Nations population to supply bears, dear and marten skins. Fur trading continued until the founding of Southampton in the mid-19th century.

Patsy McArthur said the Métis and Ojibway people had a “great relationship” as both agreed to share the land for food, with the Anishnaabe people presenting Piche with a wampum, explained McArthur.

“I think it’s wonderful for the area to reclaim its heritage through the Métis who are here,” said McArthur, later adding said that Canadian Broadcaster TVO was filming at the Rendezvous as part of the Bruce County Heritage documentary.

“TVO is filming here and that is all the better… it’s a wonderful thing to happen. It’s here for posterity.” The Rendezvous is a traditional gathering where items such as furs, kettles, fish, corn, sugar and medicine were traded before trips and the winter months.

Taking place at Southampton’s Pioneer Park, the ninth annual event saw award winning fiddler Shane Cook and Friends perform for the crowd. Lake Huron whitefish was on offer as well as an opportunity to browse traditional artifacts and enter a replica trading post which was made its Rendezvous debut.

A traditional trading post created by Jerrold Beech was brought to the Rendezvous to recreate the trading hub that thrived during its association with the Hudson Bay Company, early Métis settlers and the Anishnaabe people.

Jerrold Beech with items that are commonly found at trading posts, including furs and other items.

Matthew Becker with traditional household items used by early settlers.

Fiddler Shane Cook and friends at the ninth annual Métis Rendezvous August 12.

Carolyn Boone of the Historic Saugeen Métis with volunteer Diane Becker at the ninth annual Metis Rendezvous.

A television crew from TVO were filming the Rendezvous as they create their documentary about the history of Bruce County.