The sign Ste. Rita residents don't want!

Tansi/Good Day Readers:

The following article was posted (June 4, 2008) on www.derrylsanderson.blogspot.com. Turns out it came from The Clipper Weekly a community newspaper based in Beausejour, Manitoba.

Its website (www.clipper.mb.ca/headlines.htm#metis) is very well organized and presented - worth a visit.

Looks like the MMF's leadership is still trying foist its unwanted sign on the good citizens of Ste. Rita.

Sincerely,

Clare L. Pieuk

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St Rita Residents Voice Displeasure

By Bill Smyth

The Weekly Clipper

On Saturday, May 24th, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) hosted a replacement sign unveiling and raising of the flags ceremony on the edge of the town of Ste. Rita, Manitoba.

The celebration took place on the same site where the very first MMF Local Metis Government community sign was erected on May 26, 2007.

Controversy and reaction over the wording on the sign, in particular the word "Government," was immediate and a few weeks later, during the July long weekend, the professionally designed sign was set on fire and destroyed by vandals. According to the MMF, the intention of the historic provincial initiative is to enhance the profile of the Metis population and instill a strong sense of Metis pride, culture and heritage.

One hundred and thirty signs are planned for the cities, towns and villages of Manitoba where a MMF Local exists. MMF President David Chartrand and the Metis National Council’s President Clement Chartier participated in the celebrations and visited with community members and dignitaries. “Today is a proud day to gather in the community of Ste. Rita. The unveiling of this sign signifies a milestone for all Manitobans, including our Metis brothers and sisters,” said MMF Chartrand. “It is a celebration of our spirit and determination to overcome all challenges. This historic provincial initiative is an ongoing effort to share our Metis contributions, our history and our culture with the entire province. We thank the Ste. Rita community for the warm welcome. The MMF is working to build a stronger province, one community at a time,” he continued.

Residents of Ste. Rita, however, did not share the same sense of warmth felt by Chartrand. A number of area residents made their disappointment over the sign and it's unveiling, well known. Several residents, all of whom asked for their identities to be withheld, spoke about the general feeling of the townsfolk; that being the sign will not stand for long. Word is, they are taking bets on just when the sign will fall.

One resident wants to know what the MMF intend to do with their “power” as a local Metis Government. Another said she hopes the sign is painted over or burnt or chopped down, and the sooner someone gets at it, the better. Some found it very disturbing that the chair of the Ste. Rita MMF Local decided to rent the hall in Dugald for a barbecue celebration following the unveiling and not the hall in Ste. Rita. It would appear that this tiny town of 120 residents is not ready to let this battle die. The wording on the sign has not changed, and many people here will not be happy until the sign is gone, once and for all.