ESTEVAN - An Estevan Comprehensive School student was recently recognized for his effort and willingness to tribute to his heritage through a poetry competition.
Cole Blondeau, who is in Grade 12 and of Metis descent, placed second in the Saskatchewan Louis Riel Poetry Day contest.
Blondeau’s poem I Am From… shares his family’s ancestral past and his connection to Riel, who is a distant relative.
From Blondeau’s point of view, he sees this poem as being “a connection and reflection of his past ancestral heritage.”
He decided to enter the competition because it pays tribute to Riel.
“Not … a lot of people know this, but some … Blondeaus have an ancestral path to him, so he’s in the family tree.”
His history teacher, Wes Kreklewich, knew of Blondeau’s connection to Riel, so he tipped Blondeau off about the competition.
“It was hard to come up ideas, but eventually I was able to do it,” said Blondeau.
He has long heard that he was a distant relative of Riel. His father and grandparents have always discussed it. And Blondeau has spent a lot of time researching and discussing his relative.
“We’ve also learned it in class, in school, so I have quite a bit of knowledge about him,” said Blondeau.
He didn’t expect he would finish so high, so he was shocked when he was told he was second.
For Blondeau’s poem he will receive a prize package from the Métis Nation and the honour of “doing something with his community.”
The poem is as follows:
"I am from the vast open lands my ancestors once thrived upon
from the prairies whose soils run deep
I am from a place of loving warmth that is comfort and true, pure kindness.
I am from Métis culture
whose meaning used to be stripped away and shown no pity.
I am from a fellowship and family tree with strong roots
from Blondeau to Prommer
and from leadership and wonder
from that raw sense of curiosity.
I am from the bloodline of Louis Riel
from pride and loyalty from a man who wanted peace for his people
and from my past who heard bison cliffing
collecting from Mother Earth for our well being
I am from the moments
my past embraced me, motivated me and made me."
