As we celebrate 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆, our Lesser Slave Lake Métis District office 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to enjoy the long weekend, spend time with family and friends, and celebrate the people, places, and traditions that make our communities so special. Whether you're out on the land, at the lake, or simply enjoying some well-deserved rest, we hope your weekend is filled with laughter, connection, and wonderful memories.

Please have a safe and enjoyable long weekend. 💙♾️

Our office will reopen and return to regular business hours on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back then.

Happy Heritage Day from all of us at the Lesser Slave Lake Métis District!

The Métis Coureur de Bois is coming to our District! The Rupertsland Institute's mobile services RV is visiting to share resources and answer your questions on education and job support:

♾️ 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟴: 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

♾️ 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟵: 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

♾️ 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟬: 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Walk-ins are welcome, or you can book an appointment by calling 1-888-486-3847.

Please reach out to the Rupertsland Institute directly if you have any questions.

Learn Video Game Design with Rupertsland Institute and Jelly Academy ONLINE 🎮

Experience 4 digital days of exposure to the worlds of independent game design and social media marketing. Days One and Two are centered on building your digital brand to market a game you’ll begin creating during days Three and Four, where you’ll learn the basics of game design on the Roblox creator platform.

Participants will need reliable internet access and their own laptop to complete this workshop

Register Here


This is a Rupertsland Institute Program.

Please note that the Lesser Slave Lake Métis District office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, August 20 & 22, 2026, as our team prepares and attends for the Annual Citizens' Gathering (ACG).

Behind the scenes, our staff and volunteers will be hard at work getting everything ready to welcome our Citizens for a wonderful weekend of community, connection, and celebration. We are looking forward to gathering together, sharing good food, and kicking off another memorable Annual Citizens' Gathering.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we prepare to welcome our Citizens. We can't wait to see everyone at the ACG Welcome BBQ! 💙♾️

We are ready to welcome Citizens from across the Nation to our beautiful District! 💙♾️

The Annual Citizens’ Gathering is being hosted in Slave Lake, and the Lesser Slave Lake Métis District is honoured to help start the gathering off in a good way with our ACG Welcome BBQ.

Join us on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as we welcome Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government to our home territory with food, smiles, and community connection. Our LSLMD Citizen Representative, District Captain, District Councilors, team, and citizen volunteers will be serving up burgers, hot dogs, salads, and plenty of warm hospitality. 🌭✨

📅 Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026

⏰ Time: 5:00 to 8:00 pm

📍 Location: Big Fish Bay (By the Pool)

We are so excited to gather, share a meal, and celebrate this special moment together. Be sure to bring chairs, and be ready for some smiles.

CALL OUT FOR VOLUNTEERS: If you are able to volunteer at the BBQ, we would love to have help representing our District to all of our MNA citizen visitors. If you are available, contact us by email at lesserslavelake_district@metis.org

For 98 years, our people have gathered in pride, purpose, and community… and this year, history is being made. 💙♾️

We are honoured to share that the 98th Annual Citizens’ Gathering (ACG) will be hosted right here in Slave Lake!

The Citizens’ Gathering provides an opportunity for Citizens to come together to share in Métis social, cultural, political, and spiritual activities and to participate in the governance of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

August 20: Big Fish Bay RV Resort, BBQ & activities

August 21 & 22: Slave Lake Multi-Rec Centre

Will we see you there? Let us know! Fill out the RSVP form: https://registry.metis.org/CitizensGathering

Your RSVP helps us to plan for the expected attendance at our Citizens’ Gathering. We appreciate your help! Citizens who do not RSVP are also welcome to take part in the gathering. Please note, your RSVP does not register you to vote on August 21 or 22. Register at our Registration desk August 21 and 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required to vote each day. Please note that only Otipemisiwak Métis Government Citizens can register and vote.

For nearly a century, this gathering has been a place where our Citizens come together to celebrate our culture, strengthen our Nation, share stories, and shape the path forward.

To see it hosted here in Slave Lake during its 98th year is something truly special. 🪶✨The lake, the water, the northern skies, and our community is special. Mark your calendars. Save the dates. Be part of this historic moment.

Watch our social media pages for updates. We can’t wait to welcome our Citizens, families, Elders, and Youth to gather together in pride and unity. 🌿

To learn more, visit: https://albertametis.com/events/citizens-gathering/

🌿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 💙 The 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗧 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 (𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀) is coming to communities across our region — and this is our 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 bringing this free 2-day experience to you.

✨ ALL Indigenous Women and 2-Spirited people (ages 16+) are invited to attend this 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝟮-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 filled with Indigenous teachings, financial empowerment, laughter, connection, prizes — and a chance to win an iPad!

This is about reclaiming your power with money.

This is about your future.

This is about doing it together.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻

The LIFT Workshop blends traditional knowledge and modern financial tools to support your money journey:

🪶 Decolonizing Your Money Mindset

🪶 Personal Budgeting & Planning

🪶 Debt Repayment & Credit Awareness

🪶 Investing in Yourself — Spiritually, Mentally, Emotionally & Financially

We draw for prizes at the end of each of the 𝟵 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 over two days, and one lucky participant wins the iPad at the end! (Must be present to win.)

📍 𝗨𝗣𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

Choose the location that works best for you. You do not have to live, or be a member of the host community to attend. All Indigenous Women and 2 Spirited are invited to attend - status and non-status.

🌿 GROUARD

📅 August 29 & 30, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)

🔗 Click here to Register

🌿 DRIFTPILE

📅 September 26 & 27, 2026 (Wednesday & Thursday)

🔗 Click here to Register

DETAILS FOR ALL WORKSHOPS:



TIME: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Doors open at 8:30 am)

COST: FREE – Includes lunch, snacks & refreshments

WHO: Indigenous Women & 2-Spirited People (Ages 16+) Status, non-status, and self-declared First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participants welcome. No verification required.

NOTE: No travel or accommodation support provided.

'On occasion,' some wild animals can create problems for roads and travelers. When a beaver builds a dam, it can back up flowing water, creating a water hazard on land and roads that affects people.

When our Consultation Coordinator, Walter Andreeff, was traveling to check out our new LSLMD Wilderness Camp at Marten Laken, he saw a large pool of water about 50 meters long covering the dirt road, flowing across it, and eroding the dirt and sand at the top. This road is the only access road to the new LSLMD Wilderness Camp. Neither the dam nor the water was there last year. This spring, however, a beaver family moved into the neighborhood and created a channel slightly above the road. Walter knew that the road would not be safe for the children and families attending the annual Youth Culture Camp taking place next week.



Walter sprang into action and called his trapper friend Randall Noskiye from Wabasca to help him deal with the emergency. Through their tireless efforts, they were able to get the water flowing once again, allowing it to drain from the road. We are sending a big thank you to Randle and Walter for ensuring we have safe access to our new camp!

💙 A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community Heroes 💙 It truly takes a community to make great things happen. Just days before our Youth Culture Camp, the road leading into the new LSLMD Wilderness Camp was flooded by neighboring beaver dams, leaving it muddy, washed out, and impassable. What could have been a major setback quickly became a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when our community comes together.

Without hesitation, these incredible businesses and individuals rolled up their sleeves, brought their equipment, shared their time, and worked tirelessly to restore the road—ensuring our youth could safely gather on the land to learn, connect, and celebrate Métis culture.

✨ This month, we are honoured to shine a light on our Citizen Feature: Natalie Chalifoux-Fisher of Fox Creek, Alberta.

Born and raised in Fox Creek, Natalie comes from a proud Métis family with deep roots in our region. Her father, Leonard Chalifoux, was born in Kathleen, Alberta, and raised in McLennan, where he grew up surrounded by family and the strong values that continue to shape generations today.

Family is at the heart of everything Natalie does. Alongside her husband, Sean, they are raising four children while nurturing a deep appreciation for their Métis identity. Natalie believes that learning is a lifelong journey, and she embraces every opportunity to deepen her understanding of

Métis culture, traditional teachings, and skills. Whether it's learning land-based practices or one day mastering the Red River Jig, she hopes to pass these teachings on to her children and future generations, ensuring our culture continues to thrive. One of Natalie's greatest passions is beadwork. What began as a self-taught hobby through watching other Indigenous artists has grown into a meaningful way for her to express creativity, strengthen her connection to culture, and continue learning traditional skills.

Natalie also serves as the Chairperson of the Fox Creek Métis Committe, where she is dedicated to creating opportunities for Citizens to gather, learn, and celebrate together. One of her proudest accomplishments has been helping bring a ribbon skirt workshop to her community, creating a space where people of all ages could connect through culture, creativity, and shared experiences.

Looking ahead, Natalie hopes to continue bringing workshops, cultural activities, and educational opportunities to Fox Creek, helping strengthen Métis pride and creating welcoming spaces where everyone can learn, grow, and celebrate our rich heritage together.

Natalie's story is a beautiful reminder that keeping our culture strong begins with curiosity, sharing knowledge, and lifting one another up. Through her leadership, creativity, and commitment to community, she is helping ensure our traditions continue to flourish for generations to come. Maarsii, Natalie, for all that you do for your family, your community, and our Métis Nation. We are proud to celebrate you as our Citizen Feature of the Month. 🪶💙

Today, we are proud to celebrate Susan Cunningham as she marks her 8th year with our previous Slave Lake Local #19 and now the Lesser Slave Lake Métis District.

Since first joining our leadership team in August 2019, Susan has been a dedicated advocate for our Métis community. Throughout the years, she served as Vice President of Métis Local #19, working alongside fellow community leaders to support local initiatives, organize events, and strengthen connections among our Citizens.

On November 23, 2025, Susan stepped into her current role as District Councillor, where she continues to serve our Citizens with dedication, compassion, and a strong commitment to the future of our District.

Susan, thank you for your years of service and for your continued commitment to our Citizens and community. We are grateful for everything you do and look forward to continuing to work alongside you.

Please join us in congratulating Susan on the first anniversary of her role as District Councillor! 💙✨

On August 07, 2026, we will be celebrating Susan's birthday! As District Councillor, Susan plays an important role in helping guide the future of our community while ensuring the voices of our Citizens are represented with care and dedication.

On behalf of the Lesser Slave Lake Métis District, we wish Susan a very happy birthday and hope the year ahead brings happiness, good health, and many wonderful moments with family and friends.

Please join us in wishing Susan a fantastic birthday! 🎂✨

Today, we are proud to celebrate Shane Combs as he marks his 8th year working with our previous Slave Lake Local #19 and now the Lesser Slave Lake Métis District.

Since first joining our leadership team in August 2019, Shane has been a dedicated advocate for our Métis community. Throughout the last 8 years, he served as President of Métis Local #19 and later as Interim District Captain, helping strengthen community connections and supporting initiatives that brought Citizens together.

On November 23, 2025, Shane stepped into his current role as District Councillor, where he continues to serve our Citizens with dedication, integrity, and a strong commitment to the future of our District.

His leadership, community spirit, and willingness to support meaningful initiatives continue to make a positive difference throughout our region.

Shane, thank you for your years of service and for your continued commitment to our Citizens and community. We are grateful for everything you do and look forward to continuing to work alongside you.

Please join us in congratulating Shane on the first anniversary of his role as District Councillor! 💙✨

Today, we are proud to celebrate Brenda Genaille and her 5th Work Anniversary with the Lesser Slave Lake Métis District.

Since joining our team on August 15, 2021, Brenda has been a driving force behind the growth and combined success of our District with our team. Throughout her time with us, she has served in several leadership roles, including Executive Director and Senior Transition Coordinator, helping guide our organization through important milestones with dedication, vision, and heart.

In November 2025, Brenda stepped into her current role as Métis District Captain, where she continues to lead with integrity,

compassion, and a deep commitment to our Citizens. Her leadership has strengthened our District, fostered meaningful connections throughout our communities, and continues to inspire those who have the privilege of working alongside her.

From helping secure funding for impactful programs and initiatives to supporting the transition to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Brenda's contributions have left a lasting mark on our District and the people we serve.

Thank you, Brenda, for your years of service, your unwavering dedication, and your continued leadership. We are grateful for everything you do and look forward to many more years of working together as we continue walking forward in community. Please join us in congratulating Brenda on her work anniversary! 💙✨

Missed your chance to participate in our 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺? The Environment and Climate Change Department is pleased to announce that it has secured 50 additional Heat Response Kits!

The kit includes an AC unit as well as other materials and resources to keep you and your home cool and energy efficient during heat waves.

𝗧𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗸𝗶𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲:

• Aged 60+

• A registered Otipemisiwak Métis Government Citizen

• Residing in Alberta

If you have not previously submitted an application, we invite you to apply!

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s Emergency Management Team wants all our Citizens to 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀. For more information on flood preparedness, please visit:

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

To stay updated on flood risks in your area, visit the Alberta Emergency Alert on the Government of Alberta website at Alberta.ca/Alberta-Emergency-Alert.aspx

You can also download the Alberta Rivers Data and Advisories at Rivers.Alberta.ca

This is an Otipemisiwak Métis Government post.

Click the image to read the PDF.

Our community is filled with knowledge keepers, artists, harvesters, and culture carriers — and we want to walk alongside you. 💙♾️

The Lesser Slave Lake Métis District is growing our programs, projects, and call directory for those who are knowledgeable and talented with traditional skills and cultural teachings. As we plan upcoming gatherings, workshops, and land-based opportunities, we are looking to connect with Citizens who carry these important gifts. 🌿🪶

We are currently seeking:

• Language Keepers

• Métis Artists

• Jiggers

• Fiddlers

• Land-based Knowledge Holders

• Medicine Harvesters

• Hide Makers & Tanners

• Traditional Art Teachers — including beading, dot art, fish-scale art, dream catchers, sash weaving, and more

If this is you, we would be honoured to hear from you. Please email us and share what you do, along with your contact information, at:

EMAIL US AT📧LesserSlaveLake_District@metis.org

Your knowledge matters. Your art matters. Your teachings help keep our culture strong for the next generation. ✨ We look forward to building, learning, and celebrating together.

Our local Métis entrepreneurs are building, creating, and strengthening our community every day, and it’s time to shine a light on them. 💙♾️

The Lesser Slave Lake Métis District is excited to feature local Métis-owned businesses from across our region on our social media pages and in our email newsletter. ✨

If you are a proud Métis business owner and a Citizen of LSLMD, we invite you to complete the form linked to be considered for a feature. Let’s celebrate the hard work, creativity, and leadership of our local business community — together. 🌿We can’t wait to highlight you.



Our team at District 21 carefully selects content based on relevance, authenticity, and appropriateness. We strive to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone in our community. Thank you for understanding. 🌟

Disclaimer: Not all stories or features submitted will be shared.

Do you know an Adult or Youth Métis citizen in our District who deserves a local feature and/or has a story worth sharing? We want to hear about it! Whether it's a personal achievement, a career milestone, or a positive impact on our community, we want to celebrate our Métis citizens.



𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 Métis Citizen Features 𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄. Share their inspiring journey with us! Share their inspiring journey with us!

Click here to nominate someone, a team, or a business!

What an unforgettable week at our 2026 Youth Culture Camp! 💙♾️Some weeks stay with you forever, and this was one of them.

This year's Youth Culture Camp was our biggest and most memorable yet, with a record-breaking 23 youth from across Alberta coming together to learn, laugh, challenge themselves, and build lifelong friendships. For the very first time, we welcomed youth from other Métis Districts, and although many arrived as strangers, they left as family.

This year was especially meaningful as we celebrated the Grand Opening of the new Lesser Slave Lake Métis District Wilderness Camp. Our new home for future generations to gather, learn, and connect with the land. We were honoured to be joined by Citizens' Representative Grant Lacombe and District Councillor Delores Pruden Barrie-Cox for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking an exciting new chapter for our District and our Citizens.

From that moment on, the week was filled with unforgettable experiences and hands-on learning.

Our youth learned from incredible Elders and Knowledge Keepers how to build a smoke rack for drying moose meat, stretch and flesh an elk hide, identify and harvest traditional medicines, create natural insect repellent from plantain, make hair spray from horsetail, and explore the beautiful art of Birch Bark Biting with Priscilla Sutherland.

They spent time on the land with Elder Herman Sutherland, learning about traditional plants and medicines, while Knowledge Keeper Greg Lacombe shared teachings on traplines, trapping, and bush survival. Elder Esther Auger introduced the youth to the Michif language, helping strengthen their connection to culture and identity.

We were also grateful to welcome Canfor, who introduced the youth to their Work Wild program, teaching them about forestry, sustainable harvesting, and reforestation before heading out to harvest spruce tips and make their very own spruce tip "Sprite."

One of the most powerful moments of the week was building and participating in a Sweat Lodge together, facilitated by Marcel Desjarlais and joined by his 2 oskâpewak and his mother Alma. For many of our youth, it was their very first sweat, making it a deeply meaningful and memorable cultural experience.

The excitement didn't stop there! The youth competed in an intense Fire Starting Championship, using only flint, steel, and materials they gathered from the bush. After an evening of determination that stretched nearly to midnight, congratulations to Tilo Hiatt and Rory DeCoste, who claimed the title with an incredible time of approximately five minutes! 🔥

Creativity also flourished as everyone designed their own personalized ribbon hoodies with Kelsey Olson of Michif Makers. Throughout the week, the youth enjoyed traditional hand games, soccer, kickball, board games, swimming, fishing, and countless laughs together.

Each evening ended around the fire with tea, marshmallows, s'mores, heartfelt conversations about gratitude, and reflections on everything they had learned that day. Those moments of connection reminded us that some of the most meaningful teachings happen simply by sitting together and sharing stories.

Even when road conditions kept the water truck from reaching camp, our youth took it all in stride. More lake time simply became another adventure! Their resilience, positivity, and teamwork made us incredibly proud.

This camp would not have been possible without the incredible people who generously shared their time, knowledge, and hearts.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing chaperones Matt Emmrich, Kelsey Olson, Hunter Lacombe, Abby Cusitar, and Kim Mischuk for caring for and encouraging our youth throughout the week.

Maarsii to our facilitators and Knowledge Keepers, including Jamie Chalifoux, Elder Herman Sutherland, Elder Esther Auger, Greg Lacombe, Marcel Desjarlais, and Priscilla Sutherland, for sharing teachings that will stay with our youth for years to come.

Thank you to Louise Allchurch and Bambi McKay from Lac Ste. Anne Métis District #8 for your wonderful surprise visit, and maarsii to Citizens' Representative Cindy Moore and District Captain Diane-Kim Peredery for joining us throughout the week and taking part in the activities.

A special thank you goes to Bill Lafoy and Asha Genaille for making daily trips to Slave Lake and back to camp to ensure everyone had fresh drinking water and supplies, District Councillor Shane Combs for making the drive out with a Tim Hortons breakfast surprise, and District Councillor Susan Cunningham for keeping our office open to continue serving citizens and assisting them with Métis Housing Home Repair application process while camp was underway.

Finally, to our entire Lesser Slave Lake Métis District team - thank you. Your dedication, countless hours, and passion made this incredible week possible.

Watching our youth grow in confidence, embrace their culture, learn from our Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and create lifelong friendships reminds us why gatherings like this matter so deeply.

We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back next year. Maarsii to everyone who helped make the 2026 Youth Culture Camp such an incredible success. Together, we are building strong connections, strengthening our culture, and inspiring the next generation of Métis leaders. 💙♾️🌿

The images below are each a different program, service, or support for all Métis citizens from the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA). Click on the images below to Learn More about each one.

The images below are each a different program, service, or support for all Métis citizens from the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA). Click on the images below to Learn More about each one.