When language begins to fade, so too can the stories, memories, and identities tied to it.
That’s why the Musée Héritage Museum’s upcoming lecture, Languages of the Métis People, is more than just a history talk, it’s an act of reclamation and remembrance.
On Sept. 19 from 2 to 3 p.m., this $3 drop-in session will be led by Sarah Mann, a longtime student volunteer and now guest speaker. Her master’s research focuses on French Michif, an endangered Métis language deeply woven into the historical and cultural fabric of St. Albert.
“Michif is critically endangered,” Mann said. “We don’t have many fluent speakers anymore and that’s largely due to the impacts of colonization and residential schools. A lot of people didn’t pass the language down, and now many of the remaining fluent speakers are elderly and focused on their own care.”
But this event is more than an academic presentation, it’s also a heartfelt homecoming. Mann’s connection with the museum began at just 16 years old, volunteering in the archives. Nearly a decade later, she returns as a researcher and advocate, giving back to the place that first nurtured her love for public history.
“I really loved museums as a kid,” she said. “I credit that to my grandpa, he always told me stories about what it was like growing up in his hometown in southern Manitoba. That connection to the past really stuck with me.”
Her talk will introduce audiences to the complexities of Métis languages, with a special focus on French Michif, a rare mixed language that combines Cree verbs with French nouns.
“It’s one of the most unique languages in the world," she said. "There’s really nothing else like it. When we talk about Michif, we’re often talking about three different varieties, and each one holds so much cultural and historical significance.”
Mann’s story is a reflection of what the Local Histories lecture series is all about: making space for deep, community-led engagement with the past, especially for stories that might otherwise go unheard.
Program coordinator Brett Lamoureux, who helped launch the new series, sees Mann’s return as both a personal and symbolic milestone.
“Sarah, with almost a decade of volunteering and working for us over the summer, then being invited back as a guest lecturer for this, is a great example of growth and relationship building with our community,” she said. “To see her grow academically, in public speaking, and as a person, it’s so special.”
The Local Histories series was created as an alternative to the museum’s popular summer and fall walking tours, making historical exploration more accessible to the broader community.
“We realized that this is a little more accessible for some people,” Lamoureux said. “It’s a different way of sharing information and a way to highlight some of our specialized knowledge at the museum. We want to keep sharing stories as we build relationships with community members and different community groups.”
For Mann, the September talk isn’t just about sharing information, it’s about inspiring action.
“I hope people who attend the lecture learn a little more about Michif and maybe even feel inspired to start their own language learning journey,” she said. “Language is such a powerful connector. It carries our stories.”
She said institutions like the Musée Héritage Museum play an important role in supporting Indigenous-led language revitalization efforts.
“The biggest way museums can help is by supporting people already doing the work and connecting with Indigenous communities to ask how they can be of service,” she said. “Young people are the future of this work. They’re the next teachers, parents, researchers, they’re the key to both the past and the future.”
Lamoureux echoed this sentiment.
“The Métis people in my life talk about language as culture and community," she said. "Michif is an endangered language, and I think this program is a great way to tie in that history of St. Albert and that broader Métis and Michif community.”
Earlier this summer, Lamoureux led Recreating a Historical Sash, a hands-on session inspired by Métis weaving traditions. The event invited participants to explore history through craft and conversations.
“We talked about the tactileness of making things, the stories objects hold, and the people who made them," she said. "That’s what makes these programs meaningful."
The museum’s fall lineup continues with Importance of Conserving Historic Homes at the River Lots on Oct. 10, and Métis Kinscapes and Deathscapes on Nov. 21. These talks aim to broaden the conversation around local heritage, offering both academic insight and personal connection.
As the museum looks ahead, Local Histories is not just a series, it’s a platform for community storytelling, education, and connection.
“We’re just really hoping to grow inclusively in our programs for the museum and heritage sites,” Lamoureux said. “This is just the beginning.”
