Great Lakes Metis Fight for Recognition in Owen Sound

The Great Lakes Metis Fish fry was started over twenty years ago by then President of the Great Lakes Metis Council President Pete Coture, who was honoured with a sash from the Council on the 20th-anniversary celebration.

The celebration has come a long way from it’s humble beginnings with hotdogs and hamburgers, which were purchased by Pete with his own money.

Pete Coture started the Fish Fry as a showing of reciprocity to the community that gave so much to him.

“It started more or less to show people how we lived off the land and to show that we're not just taking stuff and not putting it back,” says Pete. “We want stuff here for the grandkids and great grandkids.”

The Coture family has lived in the Owen Sound area for over 300 years. The fish fry takes place at the Hibou Conservation Area off Georgian Bay where his grandfather was swindled off his land for $5.

Although President Coture is now retired, he is still working to get recognition for Metis in the area. Pete is currently working with Grey Sauble and the municipality of Owen Sound to get a plaque in Hibou Conservation Area to commemorate the home of his grandfather.

Another attendee at the fish fry, Robert LeClair, former chair of the Great Lakes Metis Council, also wishes to see the Metis recognized in the area saying, “The area used to belong to the Metis at one time, and I think they’re going to get it back, but the Parks still own it.”