Sophie McDougall, a lifelong educator and proud Métis Elder who dedicated her life to preserving the endangered Michif language, is being commemorated on a new Canadian stamp.
Canada Post hosted an event in Prince Albert, Sask., on June 17 to celebrate the honour and reflect on McDougall’s lasting contributions to culture, education, and community life.
Family of Sophie McDougall with her stamp. (Canada Post)
Born in 1928 in St. Louis, Saskatchewan, McDougall (née Margaret Sophie Boyer) was a descendant of the region’s early Métis settlers. She became a teacher in the mid-1940s and, despite facing discrimination during her training, remained committed to sharing her knowledge with generations of students. Her first teaching post brought her to a small, electricity-free school north of North Battleford.
For more than 20 years, McDougall served as an Elder with the Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association. She translated books and materials into Michif, the traditional language of many Métis communities, and worked with local organizations to document and teach the regional dialect of Michif French. Recognized as a vital cultural voice, she appeared in the YouTube series Métis Women Stories in her late 80s and contributed to the creation of the Learn Michif French app. In 2023, she was awarded the Order of Gabriel Dumont Gold Medal, one of the Métis Nation’s highest honours.
“Sophie McDougall’s devotion to passing on Métis language and culture has left an indelible mark on generations,” Canada Post stated in its announcement. “Her commitment to education, storytelling, and community leadership will continue to inspire Canadians.”
The stamp is part of the fourth issue in Canada Post’s multi-year Indigenous Leaders series. Designed by Andrew Perro with an illustration by Jennifer Radia, the stamp is based on a family photograph. The background features images of the St. Louis Parish and the town’s original highway and railway bridge. The cancellation site is St. Louis, with the cancellation mark featuring a schoolhouse bell—a symbol of McDougall’s lifelong work in education.
The stamp will be officially released on June 20, one day before National Indigenous Peoples Day. The issue includes a booklet of six Permanent stamps, a souvenir sheet, and an Official First Day Cover, all printed by Lowe-Martin.
