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Taanishi!
Welcome to the July 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!
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Highlights
Elder Spotlight: Carl Jerome
Upcoming July Community Events
June at a Glance
Metis Cooking Corner
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Our office is open:
Monday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Tuesday 1:00 PM to 4:00PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday 1:00PM to 4:00PM
Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
To reach us outside of office hours, please contact info@lethbridgemetis.com
| | Volunteer and Community Participation Opportunities | | |
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
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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 - Carl Jerome | | |
Carl Jerome is a skilled trapper, Metis artist and recognized Elder. He was born and raised in the Kootenay region of British Columbia and now resides in Southern Alberta. His mother’s family originated from the Jasper House/Peace River areas of Alberta and Manitoba.
Carl was elected to our Council in 2019 and has been serving our organization and the community in many ways since then. You'll often find him at our gatherings and events, where he shares his wisdom regarding a traditional Metis way of life.
As a licensed trapper and lifelong harvester, Carl and his family enjoy the beauties of nature and all it provides. This is where he gets inspiration for many of his art pieces, and where natural materials used in his artwork are gathered. This is also how he continues the traditional Metis lifestyle in modern times, and helps pass on his knowledge of traditional skills and artworks.
Thank you Carl, for your dedication to the community, the Metis way of life, and of course, all you continue to contribute for LAMA. Maarsii.
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We would also like to welcome our newest member, baby Gibson, born May 25. Congratulations to Joel Gamache & his wife on the birth of their new son. We hope to meet your chibi-chibi (cute little baby) soon.
| | Upcoming Community Events | |
Summer Family Discovery Tour at Helen Schuler Nature Centre
We are thrilled to head back to the Helen Schuler Nature Centre for a new Family Discovery Tour focusing on bees and pollinators!
Come join us July 6 from 1pm-3pm in exploring the nature reserve and crafting bee houses!
This event is free for Metis families within the community.
For more information and to register, please follow the link below!
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Senior Meet Up at LSCO
We will be hosting another Senior drop-in at the LSCO diner in July!
Come together and enjoy each other's company over coffee, tea, and snacks! Date TBD, please call the office for more info, or watch our social media for updates.
| | | Metis Herbal Healing Workshop | | |
Join us in Fort Macleod as we learn about traditional medicinal plants and herbs used by Metis ancestors at Horizon Herbs! We also will have the opportunity to sample natural tea blends curated in Southern Alberta, and experiment in building our own tea blends to bring home and enjoy.
Tickets are $10 per person and space is limited! Don't hesitate to get your ticket to this aromatic and educational event.
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Academy in the Wild- Metis Wildings Day Camp
Metis youth aged 6-12 are invited to come and learn new skills and make new friends at our Academy in the Wild day camp July 21-22!
Learn skills like foraging and plant identification, primitive painting, building a shelter in nature, whittling and knife safety, and much more!
Stay tuned for more details, but space will fill up quickly so don't wait to sign up!
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Do you have any children entering K-12 this fall? If so, check out our sign-up sheet for back-to-school supplies! We'd like to support your journey through the school year by getting you started on the right foot. Please note this is an application for school supplies, and no gift cards or money are included.
Follow the link below to access the form. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
| | Upcoming Events through Other Organizations | | |
Family Outdoor Play
Check out the numerous free family activities that will be around Lethbridge schools and parks this summer, starting July 5!
Look for the big, bright tents and have fun together in the sunshine!
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LSCO Golden Anniversary Block Party
On Saturday, July 26, from 10am-4pm, the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization will be hosting a block party to celebrate their 50th Anniversary! Enjoy music, dancing, food, and games at the Civic Centre Track.
Contact the LSCO (403-320-2222) for more information!
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Free Vegetable and Flower Exchange
Beginning July 27, the Lethbridge Public Library will be hosting a flower and vegetable exchange:
"Garden overflowing with produce and flowers you don’t know what to do with? Share them with your community or pick up some goodies from a neighbour at this free community event. Everyone is welcome!"
Located in the Community Meeting Room at the Main Branch, this event will continue every two weeks from 2PM-4PM until August 24.
For more information, click below!
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June at a Glance
It's been quite a busy month for Michif! Here are the highlights from National Indigenous Peoples' Month in and around Lethbridge.
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Populess Leather Workshop
On June 9th, we were fortunate to learn some leather-working skills with the folks at The Populess Company! At this workshop, participants used etching and stamping techniques to create beautiful and creative coasters. Thank you to Brad and his team for being such wonderful hosts!
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LPS Eagle Feather Blessing
Elder Lloyd Cavers attended the Lethbridge Police Service Feather Blessing on June 12 as they were presented with two eagle feathers to use for the swearing of oaths, ceremonies and during court testimony to honour Indigenous culture, traditions and beliefs.
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Senior Meet Up
We invited our community of seniors and elders to come together and join in coffee, tea, and connection on June 13. It was wonderful to listen to stories and share snacks together, provided by the LSCO.
We hope to see everyone again at the next meet-up!
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The Hills Are Alive
We had an amazing cultural experience at the Hills are Alive this year with our friends from the Miywasin Friendship Centre. We experienced the beauty of the Cypress Hills at Eagles Nest Ranch and took in some sites around Elkwater. All while learning traditional skills like sewing ribbon skirts, moccassins and moose hair tufting! The fiddle and violin music set an inspirational backdrop to the weekend. Thank you to everyone who put their time and efforts into making this a beautiful celebration of Metis culture!
We hope you'll join us at THAA 2026 for another cultural celebration!
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Iinii'toyis Buffalo Lodge Grand Opening
Elder Alice, Elder Lloyd and our Vice President, Renee had the honour to attend the grand opening of the new Aboriginal Housing Society complex on the North Side on June 20. Besides the rain, it was a lovely event to celebrate the opening of Iinii'toyis (Buffalo Lodge).
It was moving to hear the acknowledgement of Roland Cotton, as well as our own Metis Elders, Rod McLeod and Jim Short (recently passed) and their work in the beginning, since 2005, of making sure there is affordable housing for all Indigenous Peoples in Lethbridge.
Currently, Elder Lloyd is one of the Elders sitting on the board. Thank you for representing us so well! The mural on the community centre is a beautiful representation of all Indigenous groups. If you are looking for affordable housing please call 403-328-8806 to apply.
| | | | National Indigenous Peoples Day | | |
It was wonderful to come together as a community for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 at the Lethbridge Exhibition. We had the opportunity to meet many new people and share in our heritage.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, despite the rainy weather! We hope to see our new friends at our upcoming events, kawapamitin.
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2025 Graduation Celebration
We had the pleasure of being joined by Lethbridge Police Service Chief Mehdizadeh in celebrating and honouring our 2025 graduates.
Thank you to everyone who came out to this event despite the uncertain weather, and once again want to extend our congratulations to our graduates on their academic achievements. We can't wait to see where this newfound knowledge takes you! Sa si boon - good job!
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Old-fashioned Saskatoon Pie
Gathering berries in the spring and summer was (and continues to be!) an important part of traditional Metis cuisine. Here is a recipe for Saskatoon berry pie that both historical and modern Metis can enjoy.
Ingredients:
4 cups Saskatoon berries
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon extra white sugar (to sprinkle on top)
2 1/2 corn starch
14 1/2 ounces pastry (pie crust for one 9 inch pie)
1 egg (to brush on top)
- Gently toss together your Saskatoons, sugar, and cornstarch until the berries are coated
- Place your bottom crust into the pie plate
- Pour your berries into the pie plate
- Add butter on top if desired
- Cover with crust
- Brush your pie crust with the egg, then sprinkle with the sugar on top
- Pinch the seams together and mark your pie vents as you like
- Using the lowest rack of your oven, bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees, and bake for about 50-55 minutes more
- When your pie edges start to become too brown -and they always will- cover the edges with tin foil or use a pie crust cover.
- Continue baking until you see the pie filling bubbling and your pie is beautifully browned all over the top
- Remove from the oven and cool on a baking rack
Recipe from Karlynn Johnston via The Kitchen Magpie: Trusted Recipes from my Prarie Kitchen
Old Fashioned, Traditional Saskatoon Pie
| | If you have a family recipe you'd like to be included in an upcoming newsletter, please send it our way! We would be happy to share your family meals and traditions. | | How did you like this email? | | | | Our council is here to serve and support you. Please reach out with any questions or concerns to info@lethbridgemetis.com | | | | |
