There was dancing, with fast footwork over brooms, and fiddle music in a tune that is thought to cause demonic possession of the violin.

Darlington Nuclear celebrated Metis culture with its staff during National Aboriginal Day on Wednesday, July 21.

There were Aboriginal art and crafts for sale, and a sampling of Aboriginal cuisine before the lunch ceremony. The official ceremony opened with a Metis prayer, said by Dr. Helene Savard, a Metis elder.

"Creator of the land, the soil, the air and water. Thank you for these gifts to all living things and the cycles that support them," said Dr. Savard.

Three teenagers -- Auriele Diotte, Brittney-Lynn Williams and Chontele Evans -- from the Oshawa and Durham Region Metis Council danced traditional Metis dancing; the Red River Jig, Sash Dance and Broom Dance. The group is one of only two traditional Metis dance troupes in Ontario.

Fiddler Alicia Blore has studied under many accomplished Metis fiddlers. She played several Metis tunes, including one in the 'devil's tune'.

"It's thought the devil possessed the fiddle when you played in this tune," said Ms. Blore.

Dr. Savard did a presentation on Metis lineage. Being recognized as Metis is not simple. The person must be of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. But they must also call themselves Metis, be raised with Metis celebrations in the family, and be active in the Metis community.

"In 1982 the Canada Act declares the Metis people are Aboriginal. That probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is if you're Metis. If you're Metis, you've probably been very embarrassed to speak of your Metis heritage," said Dr. Savard.

That shame has roots in the execution of Louis Riel for his part in the 1885 Metis resistance. According to Dr. Savard, after the hanging her great-grandfather and grandmother were told to hide their culture.

Dr. Savard said her father made all six of his children practise saying vowels without a French accent.

"It didn't totally work," said Dr. Savard

Dr. Savard said she still hunts with her 81-year-old father, and has a bear hunt planned for August. She showed pictures of her with the animals she's killed.

"I cry every time I take one, don't think it's that easy. 'Oh, poor little bear. Thank you'," said Dr. Savard.

The celebration was organized by the Native Circle, an Ontario Power Generation (OPG) group that works to share Indigenous culture with all employees. The Native Circle is open to all OPG employees of self-identified Aboriginal or First Nations descent.

This is the 10th year the Native Circle has celebrated National Aboriginal Day with OPG employees.

Technically, National Aboriginal Day is June 21, but the OPG group celebrated the day on Wednesday, July 21.

"Well, 2010 is the year of the Metis, so that gives us 365 days to get it right," said Dave Harney, OPG Native Circle representative.

Mr. Harney said the Metis culture is a unique mix of First Nations traditions with a European flair, such as fiddle music and square dancing like patterns.

"First Nations is drumming and celebrating the earth and Metis are celebrating life," said Mr. Harney.

Mr. Harney, who is Ojibway and a member of the Nipissing First Nations community, said Darlington Nuclear, and all of OPG, strives to foster positive relationships with Indigenous people.

OPG sponsors scholarships for indigenous youth, participates in the Thunder Bay Aboriginal Career Fair and partnered with an Indigenous group to operate a hydro dam.

"If we want to get anything done, we're going to have to talk to the Metis people," said Dennis Martel, OPG Aboriginal Relations Adviser.

Mr. Martel made a short presentation on Metis history for the group of OPG employees gathered at the Aboriginal Day celebration.

"There's evidence to show that as far back as the 1800s, there were a group of people who identified as Metis," said Mr. Martel. "They had a flag and they had to fight for their rights."

Dr. Savard said a prayer to close the celebration and the OPG employees went back to work.

"I think that's wonderful to be able to have people come and open their hearts and minds to our way of life," she said. "I want to share it with other people so they get an appreciation of the hardship and accomplishments, to be able to share that a little and build bridges."

Durham Region