MN–S President Glen McCallum (left) and John Arcand (right). (Submitted Photo/Métis Nation–Saskatchewan)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Magical Experience

Métis festival hears possibly last public performance from Canadian fiddling legend

Jul 25, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Those attending the last day of this year’s Back to Batoche Days may have witnessed the last performance ever by an Indigenous legend.

The annual event which celebrates Métis culture and heritage was held from July 20 to 23 and included a special tribute to fiddler John Arcand.

The 81-year-old is considered one of the best to ever play the instrument and came out to hear some of today’s best fiddlers play their favourite tunes.

“When he came in… young children all the way to the elders were just so eager to see him,” said Kristi Ross, Culture, Heritage, and Language Manager for the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S).

Many applications were sent in from people wanting to perform. This included some who were actually taught to play by Arcand. As a special honour, they ended up playing some of his famous tunes.

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“Just being able to hear those students playing, you could see the smile on John’s face never left him,” Ross said.

The biggest surprise of the night came near the end when Arcand announced he would perform a new tune he made in honour of the MN–S’s current President Glen McCallum.

“It was a shock,” Ross said. “It’s so hard to think of the words talking about John Arcand just because he’s such a master fiddler.”

While not 100 per cent confirmed, Ross believes this may have been Arcand’s last ever public performance as he’s been retired for several years.

Meanwhile, this year’s Back to Batoche Days saw record-breaking numbers.

Ross didn’t have exact numbers but claimed they had 40,000 people on the grounds.

Along with Arcand’s tribute and performance, the multi-day festival included a family dance, a movie night, and a lot of jigging.

Packed crowd during the festival. (submitted photo/Métis Nation–Saskatchewan)

One of many jiggers who performed during the festival. (submitted photo/Métis Nation–Saskatchewan)

People taking part in family dance during the festival. (submitted photo/Métis Nation–Saskatchewan)

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow