SaskatchewanThe city of Saskatoon is honoring and celebrating Indigenous culture by displaying a Red River cart, which is an important symbol for the Métis, in the lobby of city hall.’If we can work together, we can make our city much stronger,’ Métis elder saysDarla Ponace · CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2025 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours agoRed River carts are an important part of Métis heritage, and one is now on display at Saskatoon city hall. (Don Somers/CBC)Saskatoon city hall is honouring the heritage of its Métis residents with a Red River cart display in its lobby.The half-scale cart installation, decorated with sashes, a blanket and lilacs, was developed with the guidance of Nora Cummings, a respected elder and senator of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, who provided insights for the city’s culture and inclusion team.”This is history of Saskatoon, for the Métis of Saskatoon, and it’s not only for us but for the younger generations, and for our other people, all other races of people, and I’m very proud of that,” she said. Cummings said she never imagined a day when Métis heritage would be honoured within Saskatoon city hall, but she is very happy to see it happen.The Red River cart was a mode of transportation used by the Métis to carry loads across large distances, said David Morin, director of culture and heritage at the Gabriel Dumont Institute.Morin said the carts were used primarily in the 19th century, preceding the advent of the railroad. Their use spanned the areas now known as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota.”The carts hauled bison meat, bison hides, pemmican, furs and trade goods,” he said. “The carts were also used for moving possessions during hunting trips.” Morin said the carts were made of wood and could carry 300 to 400 kilograms of freight. They were pulled by one horse or an ox and were easy to repair using any type of wood that was accessible. “The two wheels were adapted to make it easier to move through mud and rough terrain,” said Morin. “The tires could be removed and placed under the box to float across rivers, and it could be fitted with snow runners to be a sleigh in winter.” Nora Cummings, a senator of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, was on hand for the unveiling of the Red River cart display on Thursday. She says she is happy to see Métis heritage being honoured at Saskatoon city hall. (Don Somers/CBC)Cummings reflected on how Saskatoon has been developing over time to become a more inclusive and culturally safe place. “I sit here today and think of how nice it is, not just for Métis people. I’m looking at all of our people, all of our races of people,” she said. “If we can work together, we can make our city much stronger, bring much unity, and bring many good things for our young people.”ABOUT THE AUTHORDarla Ponace is a Saulteaux woman from Zagime Anishinabek First Nations. She started as an associate producer in the Indigenous Pathways program at CBC. She is currently working with CBC Saskatchewan as a reporter. You can email her at darla.ponace@cbc.ca with story ideas.
Saskatoon city hall showcases Métis heritage with Red River cart display
