Métis Crossing offers a hands-on cultural learning experience. It’s located a 1.5-hour drive northeast of Edmonton, near Smoky Lake, Alberta. The grounds sit on the edge of the North Saskatchewan River, on the original river lots of Métis settlers. It is the first and only Métis cultural interpretive centre in the province, welcoming visitors to learn about and experience their rich history, culture, and traditions.
When I visited Métis Crossing, I was greeted warmly at the front reception and felt like a welcome guest. I was immediately impressed by the centre’s architecture. It was spacious and airy with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river valley.
The grounds are beautiful. It sits on several historic Métis river lots, with grassy fields and forests leading to the riverbank. Being on the original lots, where Metis settlers lived and worked together in community, brought the experience to life.
The Métis Crossing is within the Otipemsiwak District 12 & Treaty Six Territory. It lies along traditional gathering and travel routes for Métis and First Nations people.
About the Métis
The Métis are a post-contact Indigenous nation, born from unions between European fur traders and First Nations women who, over generations, formed a culture and identity distinct from both Europeans and First Nations.
The Métis were at the heart of Canada’s fur trade. They were guides, interpreters, negotiators, Voyageurs, clerks—playing a role in nearly every aspect of the fur trade and working for the Hudson’s Bay Company, Northwest Company and European fur traders.
Over time, the Métis settled along the fur trade route in Canada’s northwest, mostly along rivers. The biggest settlement was the Red River Settlement in Manitoba. In the late 1800s, following changes to land rights and political conflict, many Métis families moved west from Manitoba into Alberta. They established new communities, including the Victoria Settlement near Smoky Lake, where the Métis Crossing stands today.
Métis River Lots
Métis settlements consisted of several side-by-side river lots, each owned by a different family. They were long, narrow strips of land perpendicular to the river, giving each family access to water, forested areas for wood and hunting, and farmland.
The narrow lots gave them the land they needed to thrive, while keeping homes close together to build strong community and social connections. The Métis lived and worked as tight-knit communities, and each lot often backed onto communal areas.
Read more about Métis history.
Métis Culture
The Métis are a distinct Indigenous Nation with their own identity, language, customs and traditions. They have a strong connection to the land, caring for it and sustainably and respectfully harvesting its resources.
Michif, the Métis traditional language, is a hybrid that weaves French nouns and noun phrases with Cree verb structures and grammar. It was created and widely spoken during the fur trade, when Indigenous peoples and European traders worked together.
Symbols of Métis culture include the Métis sash, fiddle music, and Red River carts.
Métis Sash (ceinture fléchée): A brightly coloured, woven wool sash that represents the joining of cultures. Historically, the sash was used as a tool, like a rope, strap or towel. It is the most recognizable part of the Métis dress and continues to symbolize their history and culture.
Fiddle Music: This music will have you toe-tapping immediately! It’s upbeat, bouncing and very catchy. Adapted from French and Celtic rhythms, it has been played at parties, celebrations, and ceremonies. It often comes with the Red River Jig, the national dance of the Métis, combining footwork from Plains First Nations dancing with the structure of European step dancing.
Red River Carts: These carts were built of wood and rawhide. Riding on high wheels, they transported bison meat and supplies across the prairies. They let them travel across the plains before railways and highways, dominating transportation in Western Canada at the time.
Read more about Métis heritage.
Meet the Métis – A Guided Tour
As a parent raising a child in an era of Truth and Reconciliation, I am always looking for opportunities to learn about Indigenous culture, traditions and history with my son. These experiences and learning opportunities weren’t part of my upbringing, and I understand their importance and value in his.
Plus, visiting a place where history comes to life in a scenic, natural setting felt like the perfect way to spend a summer’s day with my son.
Métis Crossing has so many signature experiences. If we had more time, I would’ve done several, but I chose the Meet the Métis experience since I was a first-time visitor and wanted to learn more about the people and settlement. I hope to return with my son one day soon to participate in some of the hands-on experiences.
Walking Through History at Métis Crossing
Our guide started by explaining a little Métis history, specifically the history of this site. We walked along the Old Victoria Trail, the road Métis families used to travel across the river lots and beyond. We were literally walking in their footsteps.
The guide took us through the historic village, stopping at the barn and farmyard, Sinclair House, and Cromarty House. Both houses are original 19th-century log homestead houses, moved from nearby river lots to the Métis Crossing grounds. Both give you a glimpse into traditional Métis life.
Sinclair House
Once the home of the Sinclair family, including the famous traditional fiddle player, Ben Sinclair. The guide shared the history of the community’s primary musician (a blacksmith and pig farmer by day) and how he brought people together through song and dance at community gatherings and special events.
Cromarty House
This was the original home of Magnus Cromarty and his wife, Anne Frances, who were well-to-do and highly successful farmers. Ann was known for her homestead garden beside the house. The Cromarty House also had authentic examples of traditional Métis art, including handmade quilts, beadwork and rugs.
Red Barn
My son liked the Red Barn and the outdoor Buffalo Hunt Camp exhibit the best because they had real bison and beaver pelts that he could touch. Here, we learned about the Métis buffalo hunts, Red River carts, and the history behind both.
Our guide also shared the history and the cultural importance of the ceinture fléchée, or the Métis sash. She held it up for us to see, and tied it onto my son so he could see what it would be like to dress like a little Métis boy. He beamed as she explained that each colour held a special meaning, symbolizing parts of their history, values, and connection to nature.
Métis Crafts & Cuisine
The Meet the Métis tour included a traditional art project. Because we were the only ones on the tour, we did our project on their outside patio while enjoying snacks and refreshments from the restaurant. We made braided leather bracelets while enjoying local Saskatoon berry lemonade and homemade Bannock.
After we finished our bracelets and snacks, we wandered the grounds. My son played on the small playground, which had facades of Métis cabins, a boat, and some slides. We walked down to the river and spent some time enjoying the sunshine and summer breeze before continuing on our journey.
Hands-On History Meets Outdoor Family Connection
Spending time at Métis Crossing felt good for the soul. The facilities are top-notch, the people are knowledgeable, welcoming and warm, and the interactive learning helped build an understanding and connection to the vibrant history and culture of the Métis people. The guide brought stories to life in a way that reading a book to my son could not, and he loved participating in the activities.
The guide was flexible, taking breaks in the history lesson when my son was noticeably distracted, and pointing out things that would catch his interest. For example, she spent a significant amount of time showing him how the Métis used a loom to weave sashes, straps and artwork. We moved at a slower pace, which gave my son time to ask questions and explore what piqued his interest.
The grounds at Métis Crossing naturally encourage outdoor play. After the tour, we were welcome to wander the area at our own pace. We enjoyed the open spaces, walking trails and small beach by the river. I allowed my son to roam freely around the grounds, and we took our time exploring the natural setting of the historic site. When you walk around the river lots, especially after learning about how life was at that settlement in the 1800s, you can imagine it bustling with life, music and community.
