Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre Executive Director Janet Carriere speaks at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Centre at the Ches Leach Lounge inside the Art Hauser Centre on Saturday evening. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

60th celebration

Prince Albert celebrates 60th anniversary of the Indian Metis Friendship Centre

Mar 24, 2024 | 1:38 PM

The Ches Leach Lounge at the Art Hauser Centre was packed on Saturday evening as the Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Former and current board members and staff, past presidents, and a handful of dignitaries accounted for some of the people in attendance, including Mayor Greg Dionne, MLA Alana Ross, Prince Albert Police Chief Patrick Nogier, and Lt. Governor Russ Mirasty.

The event started with the grand entry which was followed by an opening prayer from Gloria Ledoux. Mirasty then brought greetings on behalf of King Charles III and praised the work that the Friendship Centre has done over the last six decades in the city.

“When we get together with people, we can see why organizations like the Friendship Centre here in Prince Albert are successful, it’s about the people. It’s about committed people – obviously the staff who work for the organization, but there’s many people behind the scenes that continue to support the work that’s being done. I commend all of the people that are unseen, the volunteers behind the scenes, as well as the board of directors and staff for doing an amazing job. You carry on a tremendous legacy that’s been put before you.”

Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre Executive Director Janet Carriere presents Lt. Governor Russ Mirasty with a gift following his speech at the Centre’s 60th anniversary celebration on Saturday. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

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Mayor Greg Dionne and MLA Alana Ross also shared their congratulations to the Friendship Centre before the organization’s President David Beeds said a few words about the celebration.

“We wouldn’t be able to celebrate our 60th anniversary without everyone’s past and present support and involvement over the past 60 years,” he said. “We don’t believe thank you is enough, but I’ll try. We appreciate your kindness, compassion, commitment, dedication, and willingness to constantly strive on doing what we can with what little we have in terms of the dollars we have as a nonprofit organization. Your support, hard work, talents, and willingness to work as a team is an inspiration of how to get the job done and to go above and beyond expectations. And with your continued dedication, we hope to see your legacy grow for another 60.”

The Centre’s current President David Beeds shares a few words at the celebration. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

The night continued with a few words from Executive Director Janet Carriere and continued with her honouring some past members of the organization. Carriere presented both Emily Umpherville and Barry Robertson with a star blanket for their dedication to the Centre, as Robertson is a longtime former board member while Umpherville is the only remaining living original member of the organization’s ladies group.

Following the blanket presentation, the Northern Prairie Dancers provided some entertainment before supper was served by Seven Sisters Catering. The night then featured a video tour of the Friendship Centre followed by some more entertainment from the Riverside Jiggers, Phil and Dallas Boyer, the Centre’s Youth Drummers, and some fiddlers.

The event then wrapped up with closing remarks from Eugene Arcand as well as a closing prayer from Gloria Ledoux.

A full broadcast of the event can be found by clicking here.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com