Metis Nation of Alberta has announced plans to bring more tourism to the area by developing the Tail Creek camp ground just south of the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 21.
Marlene Lanz, Executive Director of Métis Nation Region 3, which covers the southern part of the province and John Parkins, a consultant for the Métis nation made a presentation at Stettler Rotary Club’s regular weekly luncheon to speak of their plans.
Marlene Lanz said times when Métis people had to hide their real identity were long gone and that they were going through an awakening, which also brought a lot of interest on the part of tourists.
She said they were intent on using the potential of the tourism both to explain their history and to bring more business to the area.
Consultant John Parkins said Métis were the first and only Aboriginal group with a strategic plan to improve their welfare through business ventures and that the Tail Creek camp, formerly known as Content Bridge, played a key part in those plans.
According to Parkins, the Tail Creek camp will soon feature tourism attractions such as canoe or York boat trips on Red Deer River, trapper’s tents for accommodation and even giving a glimpse of how moccasins were produced by Métis in the 1850s.