|
|
Taanishi!
Welcome to the April edition of the Lethbridge & Area Métis Association's newsletter!
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in making our community vibrant and welcoming.
We hope to see you at our next event!
| | |
Volunteer Sign up
Elder Spotlight
Upcoming Community Events
March at a Glance
Cooking Corner
| | | | |
Our office is open:
Monday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Tuesday (Appointment only)
Wednesday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
To reach us outside of office hours, please email info@lethbridgemetis.com
| | |
| |
With so many rich community events on the horizon for 2025, we are always on the look out for volunteers
Your participation and enthusiasm continue to make our community strong and united.
If you are interested in being added to the volunteer list, please sign up below and provide us a few details about how you would like to participate.
| |
Cultural Programming Opportunities
Do you have cultural knowledge or traditional skills you are interested in sharing? We would love to hear from you and connect you to Knowledge Seekers in the community. You don't have to be an Expert to share your knowledge and skills. Facilitation support is available to assist Knowledge Keepers in sharing our history with the community.
Culture Committee
The culture committee meets once per month to discuss ongoing programs and initiatives. If you would like to join the culture committee please let us know!
If you are interested in hosting a workshop or joining the culture committee please contact us at:
info@lethbridgemetis.com or (403) 328-7828.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement!
| |
Elder Spotlight
Alice Bissonette
| | |
My name is Alice Bissonette. I did not grow up as a Metis, I didn't know I was Metis until I was in my mid fifties. I immediately applied for my Metis status and a love story began. I embraced the Metis culture and am now a very proud Metis. We have four sons, two daughter-in-laws and eight grand children. We also have five precious Blackfoot foster grandchildren. One graduated this past year and one is graduating this May. Our life is very full and I am now an Elder with our Metis Association. I started outsaying prayers for openings, flag-raisings, grads and many other functions. I have been privileged to read to elementary students and
to read at the Library. Being at the Library during Word on the Street is such a rewarding event, well worth participation! I have done readings and craft sessions at the Galt, as well as presentations at Red Crow College. I love to share our Metis culture with anyone and everyone I can reach. May the Creator keep us young and willing to share and learn from each other each and everyday.
| | Upcoming Community Events | | |
Let's Get Fiddling!
A causal Métis Fiddle Group comes together for music, stories and laughter every second Sunday in West Lethbridge, hosted by Garret Delorme
When: April 13 & 27
Where:1035 Canyon Boulevard West, Lethbridge
When: from 2-3:30pm
Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy Traditional Métis Music, History, and Stories while making friendships and connections.
| | |
Join Us for a Family Discovery Tour at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre
Sunday April 13 from 2-4pm
We will be exploring the nature reserve while learning about At-Risk Birds and Bats of Southern Alberta.
Free for Metis families!
Space is limited, Registration link below
| | |
Join The Lethbridge and Area Métis Association as they partner with the
The Southern Alberta Ethnic Association
for a cultural workshop "Woven Dream: Metis Crafts and Dance"
part of the Building Cultural Bridges Program
April 23 from 2-3pm
SAEA Diversity Ballroom
Adults: Dream Catcher Workshop: $10 +gst (All supplies incl)
Kids: Yard Doll & Story: FREE
Workshop will conclude with family jigging
Space is limited, Registration link below
| |
(Métis) Introductory Language Course (Spring 2025)
Check out this FREE online course of Introductory Michif
6 Week Session Starting April 28
Participants will have the opportunity to delve into the rich Métis heritage and acquire fundamental Michif language skills.
Led by a traditional Michif speaker Marie Schoenthal, this workshop promises an immersive experience that celebrates and preserves Métis culture.
Lethbridge and Area Metis Association are pleased to offer an IN-PERSON (group) option at our office (Suite 1:32 909 3 ave N) for anyone who wishes to participate in a supportive group setting where we can learn and practice together.
*If you would like to participate in a small group setting
please email info@lethbridgemetis.com to register.
| |
Metis History in Southern Alberta
We cont6inue our work collecting your stories and thoughts about the Battle of the Belly River, contemporary usage of the river bottom, and the Heritage Management Plan that the City of Lethbridge is developing.
As we move forward with this and other historical Metis information gathering, we want to extend an invitation to you, or friends and family members who might have family stories or oral history about Metis in the region.
We can facilitate one on one or small group sessions either in person or virtually, with people who are willing to share their knowledge. Honoraria will be provided to support information sharing.
Please get in contact with us if you or someone you know has knowledge of the Metis histories within in our region. Or, if you want to share your considerations for the city's protection of the historic area.
| |  | LAMA is making a video about what it means to be Metis! Check out the form to share your ideas or let us know if you want to be a part of the production. | | |
Land Stewardship Opportunity
Do you use the land around Southern Alberta for harvesting, hunting, trapping, or other traditional land uses? We want to hear from you! LAMA is collecting information on contemporary usage of the land for the purpose of environmental conservation and protection. Understanding how our people use the land can help us to advise government and other policy makers on how to best protect lands and resources for generations to come.
If you are interested in sharing your experiences with contemporary land usage, please sign up below and we will contact you to schedule a group session to learn more.
| |
Other Events: Events & Programs by other Organizations
| |
Educational Opportunities
Please note, we have started a short list of scholarships and indigenous focused educational resources on our website.
| | |
The TELUS Student Bursary provides financial assistance to deserving young people across the country who are committed to giving back in their local communities by taking on a social impact project.
Recipients receive a bursary valued at $3,000 (college) or $5,000 (university) to put toward tuition fees at post-secondary institutions in Canada.
Students who are involved in their communities are given priority. This is a great reason to get involved with LAMA and our community events. If you are interested in volunteering or otherwise, please contact us!
Early applications are given priority, so if you are a student in financial need, apply now!
| | | |
Athabasca University is launching a free massive online open course (MOOC) to tackle anti-Indigenous racism in health care. The course teaches about the roots of racism and discrimination Indigenous people experience in accessing care, and the role of advocacy and allyship in addressing these issues.
The courses provide essential knowledge for health-care professionals, but also for anyone who wants to understand the struggles of Indigenous communities and learn how to recognize and confront systemic racism.
AU developed the courses with financial support from Health Canada and in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action. A team led by Indigenous leaders and health professionals worked together to create the course content.
| | | |
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) bursary program provides funding for Indigenous students in the form of a non-repayable bursary if you agree to live and work in northern Alberta for one year of full-time employment in return for each year of bursary support received. Employment must be in your field of studies for which the bursary was provided.
The goal of this bursary is to assist FNMI students to obtain the skills and knowledge to enter or re-enter the workforce in northern Alberta.
Find out more about how the bursary and working in the north can change your life. Click the image to learn more!
| | | |
Our 5th Youth Drop-In Program was a Jigging Good Time!
We Jigged together, jammed on the spoons, played traditional Métis games, and read “fiddle dancer”, all while learning about our ancestors and history.
| | |
Our 6th and final Winter Youth Drop-In Program was spent in the River bottom, immersed in nature, where imaginations and exploration blossomed.
We went on a nature walk, learned how to give an offering and how important it is to only take what you need, we found and shared special treasures, animal tracks and scat, told stories around the "fire", and even received our first Metis Sashes from Elder Lloyd Cavers and Vice President Renee Ketcheson.
Our Metis Youth have never looked so PROUD!
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this winter brighter for our Metis Youth.
| | |
Elder Carl Jerome chatted with Metis students at the University of Lethbridge Indigenous Awareness Week, during the 2nd Annual Metis Meet-Up.
Carl shared his knowledge, stories, and traditions of Woodwork artistry and ethical trapping.
| | |
One of our esteemed Knowledge Keepers Garrett Delorme & Vice President Renee Ketcheson presented to the Holy Spirit School Division on Metis Culture and Heritage, sharing history, traditions, and cultural crafts with Educators to share in their classrooms.
Education is where reconciliation begins.
| |
Bullet Soup
The curious name of this Métis soup does not relate to hunting but to the French word “boulettes,” meaning little meatballs.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb. ground bison or lean beef
- 2 tbsp. grated onion
- 1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. dried herbs such as rosemary and parsley
- Flour for dredging
- 1 diced onion
- 2 c. diced potatoes
- 1 c. diced carrot
- 1 diced turnip
- 1 c. pasta (optional)
How to cook:
- Mix ground meat, grated onion, garlic, salt, pepper and herbs.
- Form into meatballs about the size of a large marble.
- Dredge in flour.
- In a pot, cover meatballs with water and bring to a boil.
- Add vegetables and pasta.
- Simmer until cooked, adding more water as needed to make a rich broth.
Best served with bannock.
Photo Credit: Amy Jo Ehman
Amy Jo Ehman is the author of Prairie Feast: A Writer’s Journey Home for Dinner, and, Out of Old Saskatchewan Kitchens. She hails from Craik, Saskatchewan.
| | Our council is here to serve and support you. Please reach out with any questions or concerns to info@lethbridgemetis.com. | | |
|
www.lethbridgemetis.com
Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy
|
| | | |
