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Get Ready To Freeze The Moment!
Hey Métis families! Create memories together with the January Koona Napew Snowman Photo Challenge! Build snowmen with your little ones and have the opportunity to win a Winter Métis prize pack!
How to Participate:
- Build a snowman masterpiece with your family
- Capture your frozen friend in a photo
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Share it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #KoonaNapewChallenge
Submit your photo by January 31.
To participate in this Koona Napew Photo Challenge, your Métis family must:
- Be currently residing in Alberta
- Have children between the ages of 0 and 11
Either the caregiver OR the child must be a registered citizen of Otipemisiwak Métis Government
Eligibility will be verified before announcing the winning photo. The winners will be selected by random draw.
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Save the Date for Frosty Reels
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s Children and Family Services Department (CFS) is excited to announce the Winter 2024 dates for the Frosty Reels Family Camp at Camp Maskepetoon, on Pigeon Lake:
- February 23 – 25
- March 1 – 3
- March 8 – 10
- March 15 – 17
- March 22 – 24
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Applications open February 3, at 9 a.m. Please check back on February 3 for the application link.
Eligible families will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be residents of Alberta and Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government with at least one child aged 17 or younger attending. Families who have attended a family camp or retreat through a similar CFS program within the past 18 months are ineligible.
For more information on this meaningful opportunity, contact the Early Years team at CFSEarlyYears@metis.org.
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Discover the Power of Love Languages
Do you want to improve your connection with your kids, friends, or partner? You can build stronger relationships by discovering the power of love languages.
Join us on Tuesday, February 20 on Zoom, from 6 – 7 p.m.
Email fasd@metis.org for more info.
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Want to learn how to jig?
Join Nicole Acuna for beginner and intermediate jigging lessons! Learn the basic steps and a few changes to the Red River jig along with some square dances!
Learn the fundamental steps, and variations of the Red River jig, and even delve into some lively square dances!
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Southern Youth Group
Take this opportunity to meet other Métis youth, participate in cultural activities, and learn new life skills. Dinner will be provided each week.
Meets every THURSDAY beginning February 15!
Thursdays
6 – 8 p.m.
#124 1530 27 Ave NE Calgary, AB
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Métis youth aged 12 – 29 from all districts are welcome to register.
Questions? Contact Kristen Acuna at kacuna@metis.org.
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Join the Taypishkum Fitness Challenge!
Become a part of a friendly community of Métis youth across the province dedicated to improving their health and well-being!
Upload proof of your fitness journey and be entered into our weekly prize draw!
You MUST register online to be eligible for the prize draw. You are free to register and start at any time during the challenge!
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The Taypishkum Fitness Challenge is open to Métis Youth Citizens, aged 12 – 29 from ALL districts!
Questions? Contact Hailey-Emma at 780-993-2198 or email hmcrae@metis.org.
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Pathway To Healthy Living | | |
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Youth Nicotine Prevention Program Gathering
Calling all Métis families and youth under 18!
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s Department of Health is organizing a special engagement gathering in Red Deer designed exclusively for you!
We're flipping the script on nicotine by focusing on prevention, and we need YOUR voice to make it happen.
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Have your say by registering for our Youth Nicotine Prevention Program Engagement Gathering in Red Deer.
Connect with fellow Métis Citizens, share your experiences and ideas, and help shape a program that will encourage youth to lead healthier lives, nicotine-free! Participants will receive a $50 honorarium. Family members who are registering must be certified Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
For more information and to register, contact Kyla Hachey at KHachey@metis.org.
Register by February 2.
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Red Deer Dental Clinic Community Gatherings
On February 7 – 8, two day’s worth of cultural gatherings will be taking place at Westerner Park in tandem with the Red Deer Free Dental Clinic.
From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Citizens are welcome to join us at the Harvest Centre (Marquis Room) to connect, share, and celebrate the strength of our community. Thursday evening will host a community dinner, live entertainment, and an open mic night.
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Doors open at 5:30 p.m. No registration is required for these community gatherings.
Check out our complete schedule of activities at: albertametis.com/red-deer-gatherings.
While our dental clinic appointments are fully booked, drop-in appointments for major dental work will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. from February 5 – 8.
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Compass for the Caregiver
Caregivers carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. We can help!
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is proud to host Caregivers Alberta’s award-winning COMPASS for the Caregiver program. Facilitated by our Community Wellness Coordinator, Gina Lavasseur, this four-week program is designed to assist caregivers balance their own well-being with the challenges of providing care.
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Sessions will occur online on Zoom, Fridays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. starting February 23.
- February 23: Being a Caregiver
- March 1: Managing Your Stress
- March 8: Balancing Relationships
- March 15: Navigating the Journey
Limited spots are available. Register before February 14 to secure your spot today.
For more information, contact Gina Lavasseur at GLevasseur@metis.org.
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Our wellness is a reflection of our community’s wellness.
We invite our Citizens to participate virtually in our Métis Holistic Wellness Circles Thursday evenings starting in February. Facilitated by the Weaving Wellness Centre, a Métis-led team of dedicated helping professionals, this online series offers a holistic approach to wellness through a culturally-enriched Métis lens.
This four-part sharing circle series will take place on Thursdays, 6 – 7:30 p.m. from February 15 – March 7.
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Medical Travel Program
Need to travel more than 100 km to attend your medical appointment? Let us help you on your journey!
Our newly expanded Medical Travel Program can provide both mileage reimbursement and accommodations for Métis Citizens across the province. If you are an Otipemisiwak Métis Government Citizen travelling over 100 km to your next medical appointment, you may be eligible to apply.
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Interested in learning more about native bees?
Join us on February 6 at 6 p.m. MST to learn about our Environment and Climate Change department’s Native Bee Conservation Program. From the flowers that inspire Métis beadwork to medicines that we grow or harvest, Métis people are closely tied to the plants that native bees pollinate. This session will be led by our resident bee enthusiast, Tiffani Harrison, who will introduce native bee diversity, with a focus on cavity-nesting bees.
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Tune in to learn about how our program engages Citizens and aims to support native bees using our bee nesting boxes. Citizens that attend this session will also be entered to win an early bird prize of a Native Bee Conservation Kit!
If you have any questions, please reach out to environment@metis.org.
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Would you like to learn how to ice fish?
Whether you are an experienced harvester or have never explored a frozen lake before, you and your family are invited to connect with both land and culture at Widewater Community Complex on Saturday, February 10 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In 2023, our Environment and Climate Change (ECC) team received over 400 Fish Health Community Monitor forms from our Métis Askîy Guardians!
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To celebrate, we are hosting a learn-to-ice-fish event at Lesser Slave Lake where our knowledgeable Métis harvesters will teach you how to use a rod and reel, and demonstrate how to set a gill net underneath the ice. Warm up indoors between activities at the Community Complex with hot chocolate and games and learn how to get involved in our Fish Health Community Monitoring program!
Join us and experience a Métis way of life that has been passed down for generations.
Have questions? Email Environment@metis.org.
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Calling all harvesters!
Complete the Migratory Bird Harvesting Survey.
This survey takes 15 – 20 minutes, and Citizens will be entered to win 1 of 15 prizes including:
- 1 x $500 Visa gift card
- 4 x $250 Visa gift cards
- 10 x $100 Visa gift cards
The Environment and Climate Change department wants to know about your migratory bird harvesting activities, effort, and success in 2023!
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Personal data will only be collected for Citizen verification and potential prize distribution. All harvesting information shared will remain anonymous. Anonymous data may be shared with other Otipemisiwak Métis Government departments for the protection of Section 35 rights and with Canadian Wildlife Service to inform the management of migratory birds.
Questions? Please contact Jac Curry, Environment Coordinator at environment@metis.org.
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Take our survey!
Learning how to garden can be overwhelming. Our Environment and Climate Change team is producing a beginner’s gardening guide. Help new gardeners get started with our gardening survey.
Do you have a knack for gardening? Or have you learned from a green-thumbed loved one? Take our gardening survey, we’d like to hear from you!
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Sustainability Tip Of The Week
Why Tire Pressure is Important!
Keep your tires at the recommended tire pressure to increase gas mileage and prolong your tire’s lifespan by reducing the energy needed to push your vehicle forward.
For the most accurate tire pressure reading check your tires monthly when they are cold (not immediately after driving).
How to check your tire pressure:
- Press the pressure gauge onto the valve stem of your tire.
- Wait until the hissing stops and the pressure gauge gives a reading.
- Fill according to your car's recommended tire pressure. Your vehicle’s tire pressure will be in the owner’s manual or on the sticker next to the driver’s door.
*It is unsafe to overfill your tires, and overfilling will reduce gas mileage.*
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Register With The
Otipemisiwak Métis Government
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Register your kids of all ages for Métis citizenship! We have cultural opportunities such as family camps, youth hangouts, and more for Otipemisiwak Métis Citizens!
Bring your citizenship application(s) and questions to our Registry Team. Input your Citizenship card number into your child's family tree and we will match your information to them.
Come to the provincial office from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or join us for extended hours:
February 17 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
February 22 from 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
We're also coming to you at these locations:
February 13 in Calgary from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Bow Valley College
February 14 in Calgary from 1 – 7:30 p.m. at the Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
February 20 in High Prairie from 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the High Prairie Regional Aquatic Centre
February 21 in Rocky Mountain House from 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Walking Eagle Inn & Lodge
A Commissioner of Oaths will be on hand and photos can be taken on-site. Harvesting applications will be accepted as well.
Get the application form at albertametis.com/registry.
Have questions? Need help? Head to albertametis.com/registry/ for all the answers!
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Become a Judicial Tribunal Member
If you are looking for a unique, and impactful way to serve your nation? Apply to join the Judicial Tribunal.
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Share your snowman
before January 31 on Social Media
with #KoonaNapewChallenge!
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