Barrie hospital officials were presented with a special sash today to signify a deep bond with the region's Metis community.
Members of the Barrie South Simcoe Metis Council visited Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) on Wednesday afternoon to present a Metis sash in honour of the relationship between the two organizations.
Council members were all smiles as they handed over the sash to RVH president and CEO Gail Hunt to recognize the efforts made by the local hospital on behalf of the Metis community.
Also on hand were members of the Sacred 4 Directions Singing and Drumming Group, who performed to a small crowd that had gathered for the ceremony at the Georgian Drive hospital.
Jeremy Scot, a councillor with the Barrie South Simcoe Metis Council, conducted a smudging ceremony prior to the presentation.
“The sash is bestowed upon community partners who have made cultural, political or social contributions to our people,” said the council's Arlene Merkley.
“In this ceremony, the Metis sash will act as a symbol that all Metis are welcome and supported at RVH," she added.
Hunt said the ceremony reaffirms the "deep relationship" between the region's Metis councils, the Metis population and RVH.
"And to make sure to provide the best health care possible for these unique populations that require us to make a little bit of change in how we offer our care to make sure it is culturally appropriate," she told BarrieToday following the ceremony.
Karen Muscat, a communicative disorder assistant at RVH and a senator with the Barrie South Simcoe Metis Council, said she was overjoyed with the event.
“I thought it was a beautiful ceremony. I’m really excited about this opportunity to share my Indigenous heritage along with my work,” Muscat told BarrieToday.
The group describes the ceremonial sash as “one of the most prominent symbols of the Metis Nation of Ontario."
Dating back to the days of the voyageurs, the council says the sash was originally a colourful item of clothing worn by hardy tradesmen that also served many other uses, such as a first-aid kit, towel, saddle blanket or emergency bridle.
In the 20th century, the sash acquired new significance, symbolizing pride and identification for Metis people.
