Ray St. Germain’s childhood home is located on the street. The renaming pays tribute to his national network television show “Big Sky Country.” Photo courtesy Manitoba Métis Federation via Twitter
St. Michael Road in the St. Vital neighbourhood of Winnipeg, Man., has been renamed Big Sky Country Way, to honour Red River Métis (an indigenous tribe) music legend and Canadian icon Ray St. Germain.
Ray St. Germain’s childhood home is located on the street. The renaming pays tribute to his national network television show “Big Sky Country.” The show, which ran for 13 years, brought pride to the Red River Métis people and propelled Ray to national and international fame.
“I’m so touched that my community would bring this forward to the City of Winnipeg, and that the city would be willing to make this change,” says Ray St. Germain. “Music is such a core part of who I am, and it’s been a connection point for my family, my community, and all Canadians throughout my career. I thank my friend Kelly Ryback and the Red River Métis community for making this happen.”
The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and the National Government of the Red River Métis congratulated Ray St. Germain. The new street name was unveiled in front of Ray St. Germain and his family, along with long-time fans and fellow Red River Métis citizens.
“I feel it’s important to recognize what Winnipeggers have accomplished, and Ray deserves to have a street named Big Sky Country Way in his honour in this city,” says Kelly Ryback, a friend of the family who initiated the street name change. “Ray still holds his ties to St. Vital, to the Red River Métis, and to Winnipeg closely. He has never forgotten where he came from, nor that his family has deep roots in this city. I thank St. Vital Councillor Brian Mayes for his partnership on this initiative.”
“The Red River Métis have a long history of connecting through music,” says David Chartrand, president of the MMF. “Ray’s contributions to elevating our stories, our music, and our community are too numerous to count, but those of us who have worked with him for decades understand how much of his life has been dedicated to bringing joy, knowledge, and pride to people through music. On behalf of all Red River Métis and all Canadians, I congratulate Ray St. Germain on this most recent honour. He is a credit to the Nation of the Red River Métis, and remains one of my heroes,” he adds.
Ray has enjoyed an illustrious career in the music industry and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame by the Canadian Country Music Association in September 2010.
