SASKATOON — Educator Doris McDougall, Geordy McCaffrey and George Fayant were invested into the Order of Gabriel Dumont in a simple but meaningful ceremony Friday night at TCU Place Downtown.
The three were honoured — McDougall and McCaffrey received the OGD Gold Medal insignia and Fayant was the recipient of the OGD Silver Medal — for their various contributions to promoting and preserving Métis culture and traditions.
GDI executive director Lisa Bird-Wilson, in her opening remarks, said the night belonged to the three recipients as they best followed the mission of the institute and that is the development of Métis culture and delivery of educational programs.
“Thank you for joining us on this special evening to recognize important leaders and contributors to this institution. The Order of Gabriel Dumont started in the 1980s to honour those individuals who provide outstanding service to the Métis of Canada,” said Bird-Wilson.
“The awards come from the desire to acknowledge selfless individuals for their dedication, commitment, outstanding contributions and achievements. Your [GDI] awards have always been made without regard for ethnicity, but rather for consideration of a person’s contributions.”
She added that investment in the order is one of the Métis Nations’ highest civilian honours since its inception in the 1980s, where more than 80 individuals were awarded the medals — gold, silver and bronze.
“It is a small and mighty club. We gather to invest three more members into the order … Many have made lasting contributions affecting future generations, including decisions instrumental in securing our legal rights,” said Bird-Wilson.
McDougall, who grew up in the Lepine Flats region, has spent 33 years of being an education where she taught northern communities of the Michif language. Now retired, she busies herself as a volunteer in the community parish of St. Louis.
Trying to find the right words to say, McDougall said being invested in the order was a humbling experience. She follows in the footsteps of her father, Medric McDougall, who was among those who received the award in the 1980s.
“When Maria Campbell came to the podium, she said that she was nervous. So, I guess it is OK to be nervous,” said McDougall drawing laughter from the crowd. “I’m sure he’s [father] up there looking down and smiling, remembering all the meetings and rallies that we went to.”
“I’d like to say a big thank you to my family, friends and St. Louis people who are here to celebrate this happy event. I certainly would like to thank you, the people who nominated me. I know many other people have done so much and deserved this.”
McCaffrey, born and raised in North Battleford, was part of the GDI as its executive director shortly after graduating from the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program in 1993. He has made a significant mark in promoting Métis education and heritage.
“It’s an honour and privilege to receive this award. This award is from your community that’s why the sense of pride in receiving this from GDI, a place that I know and love and a place that has changed the lives of thousands of people in this province is hugely rewarding,” he said.
Fayant, who came from a Michif family known for their work on grain elevators in the province, said he’s still in shock and surprised at being nominated and receiving the silver medal from the Order of Gabriel Dumont.
“I came home from lunch one day and my wife said, ‘There’s a letter from GDI and I brought it in.’ I started making my sandwich and when opened the letter. Now, I’m holding this,” said Fayant as he proudly showed the glass-encased silver medal to the crowd.
