By Ron Cantiveros
I have always believed the best way to understand Manitoba is to walk through its stories, to visit historic places, and to talk to the people who bring those stories to life. Over the years, I’ve explored Lower Fort Garry, where I first learned about the fur trade, and celebrated winter at Festival du Voyageur, surrounded by fiddles, sashes, and the smell of tourtière.
But nothing compared to the experience I had at Tales of the Red River: A Métis Arts & Culture Day at Moon Gate Guest House in Whitemouth, MB. This was not just another visit to a historic site. It was a day of listening, learning, and connecting with Métis culture in a deeply personal way.
I arrived just before 9:30 in the morning as I drove into Moongate and was welcomed by crisp autumn air and a fiddling musical instrumental from the Metis Music van.
After opening announcements and highlights of what to expect throughout the day, we were divided into small groups that rotated through four hands-on stations. The stations included learning about Red River Cart, two make-and-take stations which included beading and finger weaving and a final session highlighting the fur trade.
Our first stop was the Red River Cart, that unmistakable wooden structure symbolic of Métis ingenuity and resilience. As our group assembled a scaled-down version, I recall seeing the Red River Cart at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg and, though this time the story felt more alive.
Our guides – Armand and Kelly from Jermoe Cartworks explained that these carts were built entirely of wood so they could be repaired anywhere along the trail. During the fur trade, families traveled together in large convoys, each cart carrying food, tools, and personal belongings. The carts squeaked loudly as they rolled, a sound that became known as “the song of the prairie.”
It was easy to picture the long lines of carts moving across the plains, the families working together, and the community spirit that sustained them. It made me think of the Filipino value of bayanihan, where people unite to help one another move forward.
The Red River Cart was more than transportation. It represented freedom, adaptability, and pride. And on this day, I was lucky to help build one, and yes, managed to be a kid and take a spin in the cart.
Next, we moved to the Borealis Beading station, where we would spend the next hour completing our first beading project – at least for me. Melanie Gamache from Borealis Beading lead the workshop, explained that beading is not just about making something beautiful. Each design tells a story, inspired by the land, family, and tradition.
This was one of my favorite parts of the day because we created our own small beading project. It reminded me of the handcrafted items in the Philippines—woven baskets, embroidered barongs, and other handmade work that require patience and skill. Both cultures share that same appreciation for detail and artistry.
I struggled a bit at first. I had forgotten my glasses, which I need for anything that involves sewing or threading. I squinted my way through the design, but I think it turned out pretty well in the end. The process was calming and meaningful, and everyone at the table seemed to find their own rhythm.
I’ve admired the finished beadwork displayed on sashes and clothing at Festival du Voyageur, and here I experienced the craft firsthand. It was humbling to realize how much time and care go into every single bead.
The next stop was the Finger Weaving led by Mme. Florence Beaudry, a respected Métis Knowledge Keeper and lifelong educator. She greeted us warmly, her table set with brightly colored strands of wool waiting to be transformed into patterns.
The Métis advanced the craft, turning it into a powerful symbol of their identity through the creation of the iconic ceinture fléchée, or voyageur sash.
Florence’s passion for teaching has helped preserve this traditional art for generations. Through her workshops, she connects youth and Elders, ensuring the meanings behind each pattern continue to be understood and celebrated.
The afternoon concluded with the Fur Trade Seminar led by Georges Beaudry, better known as Bon’Homme Beaudry. Dressed in traditional Métis regalia, Georges’ animated and engaging presentation offered a window into the past that resonated with the audience..
Since 1985, Georges and his wife Florence have shared Métis culture and history with thousands of students and visitors from across Manitoba. At their property along the Roseau River, they bring the past to life through storytelling and hands-on demonstrations.
At Moon Gate, Georges did exactly that. With humor, energy, and deep respect, he took us on a journey through time. From the early fur traders of the 1730s to the great bison hunts that defined Métis life on the prairies. His voice carried across the field as he spoke about trade routes, relationships, and the resilience of Métis families.
It was captivating to watch him embody the stories of voyageurs and traders. At one moment, he was describing the tools of the trade; the next, he was singing a traditional tune. It was both performance and history lesson, full of life and heart.
Listening to Georges, I realized how different it feels to learn history directly from the people who carry it. At Lower Fort Garry, I had once heard the fur trade told through the lens of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Here, it was told through the lens of the Métis people.
As the day came to an end, I stood by the Whitemouth riverbanks and took a quiet moment to reflect. The Red River Cart taught me about resilience. Beading reminded me of patience and creativity. Finger weaving revealed the strength of unity. And through Georges and Florence Beaudry’s storytelling, I saw how those lessons all come together in Métis identity.
Truth and Reconciliation, I’ve come to realize, is not a single act or ceremony. It’s an ongoing journey that begins when we listen and continues as we share what we’ve learned.
This experience connected everything I’ve discovered about Manitoba over the years. From the fur trade walls of Lower Fort Garry to the winter celebrations of Festival du Voyageur, and now to the warmth of Moon Gate Guest House. Each has been another thread in understanding how the stories of this land are woven together.
As I drove home that evening, the sound of the fiddles from the Metis Music Van stayed with me. It was steady, strong, and full of purpose, just like the Métis people who continue to keep their traditions alive.
Our gracious hosts for the day – Jenny Dupas, General Manager – Moongate Guesthouse and Mme. Florence Beaudry, Metis Knowledge Keeper.
Red River Cart Guides – Armand and Kelly from jremoe Cartworks
My first beading project in the books and thanks to Melanie Gamache from Borealis Beading for sharing your Metis culture and heritage through your beading.
