A spokesperson for the Anola Metis Local says Monday will be an opportunity for them to celebrate the founding father of Manitoba.

Monday is Louis Riel Day in this province. It also marks the 5th annual Louis Riel Day celebration in Anola.

Jacqueline Chartrand is part of the Anola Metis Local executive. She says a traditional feature of their culture is hospitality. Their open house at the Anola Community Club will offer entertainment, cultural activities and food.

Chartrand says they will be serving bison meatballs in brown gravy, bannock, jams, jellies and pea soup. She stresses it is not a large meal they are offering, but rather an opportunity for people to sample some traditional foods.

Last year's event drew a crowd of about 150 people. Chartrand says this year she is expecting about 250. It is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Metis culture.

Chartrand says she has attempted to respond to feedback she received from last year's event. There was a request for more entertainment. Last year they featured traditional dance in the morning, but those who only arrived at noon missed out. This year, the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers will do two presentations; one in the morning and a different one after lunch.

"I'm excited because the one in the afternoon will be the three generation dancers of this one family," she says. "They are known to interact beautifully with the audience and to teach jigging steps."

They will also host a retired trapper, an historian who will pitch his tent and display furs and traps. Other events include an outdoor bonfire, snowshoeing, a book sale and beadwork table.

The event is free to the public. Chartrand says this is possible thanks to funding from the Manitoba Metis Federation.