Traditional Work

Louis Riel Métis Dancers

Established by Yvonne Chartrand in 2001, this professional dance ensemble has extensive training in traditional Métis dance. Traditional Métis dance is a unique blend of European reels and waltzes with the dances of our Native American heritage – creating one of the most intricate and difficult of any Aboriginal peoples. The Louis Riel Métis Dancers perform regularly and can often be seen at local events and festivals throughout the year including: Canada Day, National Aboriginal Day, Talking Stick Festival, Festival du Bois, Heart of the City Festival, Dance Allsorts, and the Noon Dance Series.

Louis Riel Day Celebrations

Since 2006 Compaigni V’ni Dansi has partnered with live musicians to honour the memory of Louis Riel and celebrate the vitality of Métis culture by hosting Louis Riel Day Celebrations at various venues in Lower Mainland. Their shows feature traditional Métis dance performances by the Louis Riel Métis Dancers and the West Coast Métis Jiggers set to live fiddle music.

Vancouver's third annual Louis Riel Day Celebration will take place on November 15th at The Roundhouse. The evening will celebrate the unique blending of French, Scottish, Irish, English, Scandinavian and First Nations cultures with traditional and contemporary Métis music, dance, theatre and poetry. This is a grand celebration for the entire community of Vancouver to enjoy.

On February 18, 2008 Louis Riel Day became an official public holiday in Manitoba celebrated on the third Monday in February each year.