For 50 years, Glory St. Germain had a front row seat to Winnipeg’s Elvis, musician Ray St. Germain.

Ray St. Germain died on June 25 at the age of 83after living with Parkinson’s disease.

St. Germain was a loud and proud Winnipeg-born Métis songwriter and musician who performed with Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

He was known for his television show, Land of the big skyand was the host of the Métis Time X2 on NCI-FM for 23 years.

Through songs like The Métis And I am very proud to be mixed race, St. Germain created a musical legacy rooted in his identity and worked to support and empower other Indigenous musicians.

Glory spoke to Rosanna Deerchild, host of Without reservationabout the decades spent alongside her husband, filled with music, laughter and love.

Let’s start at the beginning of your incredible love story. Take me back to that day at the Miss Manitoba pageant.

Oh, I remember it like it was yesterday. He sang The girl from Ipanema and I was a model for the fashion show. I still remember that I wore a yellow dress.

He just looked at my eyes and I looked at him, and I just thought his dimples were so amazing and his voice captivated me. That’s how we met.

What did you like best about Ray?

He was the love of my life. We kissed every day. I told him a million times a day that I loved him and he did me. And we had this little thing where we would kiss, no matter if it was in the hallway or somewhere else.

We used to play this little thing like who’s the first to let go? And so sometimes the hug would last for a while because, like, I’m not going to let go first.

But I think it was just that he was a really wonderful person and he cared. He cared about his family. He cared deeply for me. He always said, “I’m so proud of you,” and even when he took his last breath, he always said, “I love you, I love you.”

That’s kind of what keeps me going sometimes.

Some fan favorites include his songs I am very proud to be Métis And The Métis. What can you tell us about his pride in being Métis? How did he discover this at home?

He was something of an amateur photographer, taking and developing photos. He happened to take a photo of his grandfather and he looked at the photo and he said to himself: my grandfather looks indigenous, what is that?

So he went to his mother and showed her the picture and he asked her if they had any First Nations blood, and his mother said, “Well, actually, yes, you’re Métis.”

Then he truly began to go back to his roots to find out where he came from. And suddenly things started to make sense to him. He really wanted to know more about himself.

He was very proud to be Métis. And at the time, it was like, “Shh, don’t say anything.” But he said, “Are you kidding? I’m going to tell the world who I am! »

Many people told us that Ray made them proud to be Métis at a time when there was a lot of shame in claiming that culture and identity. Why do you think he was so loud and proud about it?

I think it’s because he often felt different.

When he wrote the song You’ll know it’s meit came from a real discovery of heritage and he was proud of it. And it was always about encouraging young people to express what they think to be proud of who they are.

On June 11, a street in Winnipeg was named after Ray: Big Country Way, in homage to the show he hosted for so many years. He sang magnificently for the occasion. What does this moment tell us about Ray?

Oh my God, you know he was always a consummate professional.

And even though he wasn’t well, I brought his suit jacket. And I wanted him to feel like the man he deserves to be recognized for.

He always sang It’s now or never. It was his signature closing song.

At this point, even as we drove to the event, he could barely speak. It was very calm. He hadn’t eaten in a week. We knew things were declining quickly, but it was an honor that he could be there.

As all our children were there to play; Ray said to me, “I want to sing.” So I brought him next to my son David, and he asked Ray what he wanted to sing and he said: It’s now or never.

Then all of a sudden, it was like he was 50 years old again, and he went into performer mode. And the fact that he touched the silver bill at the end, I was in shock.

WATCH | Ray St. Germain singing It’s Now or Never at the Big Sky Country Way nomination:

A street in Winnipeg named in honor of Ray St. Germain

Ray St. Germain, a Winnipeg-born Métis country music legend, performed a song alongside his family and fans Friday as the street in the St. Vital neighborhood where his childhood home is located received a the honorary name of Big Sky Country Way, in honor of St. Germain’s national television show, which ran for 13 years.

And then he was so proud of himself that — again, that’s what he told me. Once again. And then we went back, didn’t we.

Then he said we had to go. And then we got back in the van and went back to the hospital and he had to go straight to bed. Then a week later he died.

He was very proud to be able to have this signage on St. Michael’s Road, where he grew up and where his entire family is buried.

What do you want people to take away from Ray?

Apart from music and his love for his family, I remember that everything is possible. He was always encouraging. He told me how proud he was of me and the children.

I would love it if you could, you know, put on some Ray St. Germain music and turn it up loud and then dream big and then do it. Don’t wait for something to happen to you. We have to take a step.

That’s why he did what he did. And that’s why he accomplished everything he accomplished: he took a step forward.