The South Alberta Horse Artillery demonstrated with a replica cannon of the type used at the time of the Riel Rebellion.
Hundreds of people filled the courtyard at the Fort Museum on Monday for a celebration of Canada’s 157th year.
The annual Canada Day celebration included Mounties in red serge, a First Nations blessing, cannon and rifle fire, and the initial inspection of the Fort Museum’s Mounted Patrol.
The event began with the raising of the Canadian flag by a colour guard that included the RCMP and the RCMP Veterans Association.
That was followed by the singing of O Canada in both English and French.
Fort Macleod Historical Association president Bob Gunn introduced Mary Fox to give a Blackfoot blessing.
Fox, who was rodeo queen during Fort Macleod’s centennial in 1974, is a professor and member of the Indigenous Studies Department at the University of Lethbridge.
“Today I am going to pray for everyone,” Fox said. “Pray to Creator for us being here today. We need to count our blessings. Creator gives us the gift of various elements, and today it’s rain.”
People huddled under umbrellas outside the buildings that form the courtyard as a light rain fell throughout the celebration.
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg brought greetings on behalf of the MD of Willow Creek council.
“I’d like to thank the Fort for honouring Canada Day,” Sandberg said. “It’s a marvellous tribute to all the citizens of our great nation.”
Sandberg reflected that Fort Macleod would not exist today if the North West Mounted Police hadn’t arrived in this area in 1872.
“This Fort Museum pays tribute not only to them but to the rich heritage and culture of this whole area,” Sandberg said. “We should appreciate the work that they’ve done.”
Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter brought greetings on behalf of his council and praised the audience for braving the rain to take part in the celebration.
Feyter said Monday’s rain was nothing compared to the hardships the Mounted Police and early settlers endured when they came west in the 1870s and 1880s.
“We do owe them a debt of gratitude, and the First Nations that lived here before,” Feyter said.
Sgt. Christian Lafleur of the RCMP detachment in Fort Macleod carried out the inspection of the 2024 Mounted Patrol.
Due to the rain and wet conditions in the arena, the Mounted Patrol was not able to carry out the inaugural Musical Ride of 2024.
The South Alberta Horse Artillery demonstrated the firing of a replica cannon that was used in 1885.
The artillery also fired actual rifles from that time period that would have been used to defend the cannons.
Following the ceremony birthday cake was served inside the museum, the play March of the Red Coats was performed.
Sierra Scout was crowned winner of the Blackfoot Princess Pageant continued.
