Project Sectors
HISTORY
As Alberta’s first major Métis interpretative cultural centre, Métis Crossing stands as an vibrant landmark in the Canadian and Indigenous cultural landscape. An integral—though oft-neglected—element of Métis history is the battles and wars of which the Métis people were part, and which continue to hold a place of relevance in our nation’s historical narratives. Our objective is to acknowledge and memorialize the sacrifices of these Métis men and women in a unique and lasting monument.
VISION
The Metis Crossing Veteran’s Monument marries Métis legacy and a community’s optimism in a beautiful and timeless emblem. The Monument reveres Métis history in both its joy and its pain, and is an accessible, beautiful, and dynamic interpretation that integrates with the natural environment and its physical context.
CONTINUITY BETWEEN THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
We drew inspiration from diverse sources. In its form, the Monument embodies the texture and movement of a traditional Métis sash. The sash is a literal embodiment of the blending of cultures, with its customary red colour material symbolizing the blood shed by the Métis as they have fought for their rights throughout the centuries. The sash forms a loop, upon which are inscribed the names of the fallen Métis. Benches for visitors integrate within the form of the loop, joining in a symbolic continuity between the past, present, and future. Inscribed glass panels face the walkway that leads to the memorial. Stories and illustrations are inscribed on the panels, the images of which, depending on the time of day, silhouette against the grass or pathway.
