A Musical Method of Bringing People Together

For Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, we would like to highlight the importance of music in bringing people together. The best example of this in Selkirk is Bucky Anderson and his Métis Music Van. You may have seen MMF Minister Alfred “Bucky” Anderson zooming around Selkirk with his Métis Music Van! Bucky is the Vice-President of the Interlake Region and the Minister of Culture and Heritage at the Manitoba Métis Federation, and boy does his spirit show!

During 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began, gatherings were halted to reduce the spread of the illness. With the reduction of gatherings, Minister Anderson wanted to bring joy back to the community and brighten the days of those who were in lockdown. During the height of the pandemic when people could not attend events like Canada Day or Indigenous Peoples Day, Bucky sought to change this and bring the celebration of these events to the public without breaking COVID protocol.

This is a photo of The Metis Music Van, with blue and white colors for the metis flag — The Métis Music Van, 2021 Manitoba Métis Federation

Bucky had a 1998 P30 Chevy van and decided to turn this into a mobile music van. He cut holes into the sides of the Chevy van and mounted speakers to it. From there, the speakers were connected to a generator, allowing them to operate efficiently. The final steps Bucky took to create the music van were to decorate the white and blue van with Métis flags and lights, which were intended to create a bright and happy aura for the public.

The Métis Music Van and Bucky are both famous here in Selkirk! Everyone runs out when they hear Bucky is coming. Bucky and his Métis Music Van have made debuts in Selkirk, Gimli and Winnipeg. Bucky can be seen driving through the streets of Selkirk blasting Métis fiddle music. He has become a staple for festivals and parades, bringing smiles to everyone he comes across! Bucky’s contribution to spreading cheer and Métis heritage and culture is also memorialized with a mural in Selkirk titled “The Beat Goes On”!