A new Metis Red River Cart has been installed outside of McLean Hall on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

The installation is outside of the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program and the Gabriel Dumont College centre located at McLean Hall.

In 2019, USask’s Office of Indigenous Engagement provide a $3,000 dollar investment to SUNTEP to put towards the Red River Cart installation.

“The University of Saskatchewan is proud to be a part of this historic moment on campus for Métis students and for all students, staff, and faculty at USask. For Métis students, this cart, and the relationship between USask, GDI, and MN-S, demonstrates the importance of their presence and continued success at USask,” said Dr. Angela Jaime, vice-provost Indigenous Engagement.

Sheila Pocha is the SUNTEP Program Head.

“We have been looking forward to this special day. The Red River Cart will celebrate our Métis symbolism on campus and ensure the public is aware of the Métis presence, our Indigeneity, and represent the good work that SUNTEP does within the Métis community,”

Well-known cart builder George Fayant was commissioned to create the large-scale Red River Cart.

Red River Carts were used by Metis people in the area of the Red River with the carts being used throughout most of the 19th century in the fur trade and westward expansion of Canada.