How did your Metis ancestors celebrate Christmas?

Métis Elders have recounted that families spent Christmas Eve by attending Midnight Mass, occasionally singing hymns in Cree or French, and then having a large supper and party known as réveillon . However, most celebrating during the holiday season was reserved for NewYear’s Day. As one Batoche Elder told historian Diane Payment “On Christmas Eve, we went to Midnight Mass, and when we got home, we ate a little, dranksome tea and went to bed. The presents were for New Year’s Day”.

Association of Métis & Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan , December 1985. New Breed (11) December 1985. New Breed Magazine, Métis, Christmas, Poetry, Christmas Carols, Recipes, La Pierre, Eva, Sports . Retrieved December 6, 2008, from http://www.metismuseum.ca/media/document.php/05134.pdf