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Taanishi!
Welcome to the December 2025 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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Our office is open:

Monday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Tuesday 10AM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Thursday 10AM to 4:30 PM
Friday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
To reach us outside of office hours, please contact info@lethbridgemetis.com
*Note: these hours are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances*
| | Volunteer and Community Participation Opportunities | | |
With so many rich community events on the horizon for 2025/26, 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 could share? We would love to hear from you!
You don't have to be an Expert to share your knowledge and skills.
Facilitation support is available to assist Knowledge Keepers in sharing and preserving our history.
Culture Committee
The culture committee meets monthly to discuss ongoing programs. If you would like to join the culture committee please contact the office, or filling out the form below!
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!
| | | December Events and Information | | Garrett Delorme and Monique Giroux are co-hosting a casual Métis Fiddle Group that gathers for music, stories, and laughter every first and third Sunday of the month. Garrett will host on the first Sunday at 1035 Canyon Blvd W, and Monique will host on the third Sunday at 718 17th St S. Both sessions run from 2:00 PM to around 4:00 PM. December’s gatherings will take place on Sunday, December 7 and Sunday, December 21. Come share in the joy of fiddle music — all are welcome! | | REMINDER THAT THE LAST SESSION OF JIG AND JAM WILL BE DECEMBER 11TH. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH EVERYONE DURING THIS TIME, AND HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR FOR MORE MUSIC AND DANCING! | | Seniors Coffee this month will be on December 12th in the LAMA office. join us for a festive afternoon. | | |
The Lethbridge and Area Métis Association (LAMA) is proud to continue our annual Holiday Hamper Initiative, supporting Métis families and individuals in need during the festive season. Each hamper is filled with essential food items and holiday treats to bring comfort and joy.
If you know a community member who could benefit, please submit a nomination using our online form. All nominations must be received by December 8, 2025, and nominees must hold a valid LAMA membership. Be sure to read the form instructions carefully, and contact our office if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping us spread holiday cheer and ensure that no one is left behind this season. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

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The Lethbridge and Area Métis Association is excited to invite our community to this year’s Holiday Open House on Friday, December 19th from 5:30–8:30 PM at The Family Ties Gathering Space. This special evening will feature Boulee soup and fresh Bannock, some holiday treats and a variety of holiday activities for all ages.
Activities include:
- Holiday cookie in a jar
- Hot chocolate in a jar
- Card making station
- Gift wrapping area for your creations.
A wonderful opportunity to gather, share a meal, and make something special for loved ones while celebrating the season together.

As part of the event, we will also be distributing Christmas Hampers to selected families in need. Hampers are provided through a nomination process, please see form above for nomination requirements and deadlines. Families chosen to receive a hamper will be contacted directly by phone or email before Dec. 13.
| December Events in the Community | |
CMAW Canada Training Society: Toolbox to Trades | From January 12 to April 3, 2026, Toolbox to Trades offers a fully funded carpentry program in Lethbridge. Designed for equity-deserving groups and those facing employment barriers, this hands-on course provides an accessible path into the trades. | | | | |
This year, we proudly celebrated Métis Week and Louis Riel Day with an incredible series of events that brought our community together in the spirit of family, culture, and tradition. The week was filled with music, food, and fun, offering opportunities to share in traditional experiences and hands-on workshops.
From learning how to cook Métis dishes to gathering for an unforgettable kitchen party, the celebrations were filled with laughter, good memories, and a strong sense of connection. It was truly one for the books, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us.

Thank you for helping make this week such a meaningful and joyful celebration of our Métis heritage.
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Medicine Bags with Noble Heart Beads
This month, our community gathered for a special workshop where we shared wild mint tea and created beautiful medicine bags with the guidance of beadwork artist Noble Heart Beads. The day was filled with tradition and meaning as participants carefully selected medicines and personal items to place inside their bags, making each one unique and deeply personal.
From the soothing aroma of wild mint tea to the grounding presence of buffalo sage, the workshop offered a chance to connect with culture, creativity, and one another. It was truly a memorable day, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating this tradition.
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Métis Flag Party
This month, we proudly hosted our Métis Flag Ceremony on the west side in honor of Métis Week. The turnout was wonderful, and we were grateful that the snow held off until after the event, allowing us to gather together in comfort.
Adding to the celebration, we partnered with Cookie Crimes, who created delicious Métis‑themed cookies that were shared with the community. Paired with hot chocolate and tea, the ceremony was a heartfelt occasion that brought people together to honor Métis culture and heritage.
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| | Louis Riel Kitchen Party with Brody Jerome | |
Our kitchen party was an unforgettable evening filled with music, laughter, and Métis tradition. We were thrilled to welcome Métis artist Brody Jerome, whose performance set the tone for a night of joy and connection. The celebration continued with a lively jam session featuring fiddlers, guitar, and piano, which had everyone up and dancing in true jigging spirit.
The night was also packed with fun activities, including moose call competitions, braiding contests, and a kids’ jig and freeze game. Friends and families gathered to visit, share stories, and create lasting memories. It was a wonderful reminder of the strength of our community and the joy of coming together to celebrate Métis culture.
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Métis Traditions Cooking Class
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As part of Métis Week, we hosted a special cooking class led by Red Seal Chef Garrett Delorme—an unforgettable experience that blended tradition with modern culinary techniques. Participants learned how to smoke meat on the stovetop and had the chance to try rabbit and duck for the very first time, discovering how to prepare them into delicious dishes.
Together, we created Bannock, rabbit sausages, smoked duck breast with raspberry glaze, and even had time to make jerky. Alongside these hands‑on lessons, Chef Delorme shared stories and knowledge that connected us to the history of family members who practiced these traditions before us.
It was a meaningful and memorable day, filled with learning, laughter, and the joy of Métis culture. We look forward to hosting more experiences like this in the future!
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Métis week at the Fort Museum
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On November 16th, in honor of Louis Riel Day, the Fort Museum in Fort Macleod welcomed the community for a meaningful celebration of Métis history and culture. Guests explored a rich collection of artifacts, enjoyed the scenic museum grounds, and immersed themselves in stories that highlighted the resilience and traditions of the Métis people.
The event was made even more special by the presence of Elders Dr. Lloyd Cavers and Carl Jerome, who generously shared their wisdom and lived experiences. Their teachings offered a rare and valuable opportunity to learn directly from community knowledge keepers, creating a day filled with reflection, connection, and pride in Métis heritage.
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Jig & Jam
Our Jig and Jam class has been in full swing every Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Family Ties Gathering Space (909 3rd Ave North). Participants have been having a great time learning to play guitar and violin—and the energy has been fantastic!
We’d love for you to join us for the jigging portion of the evening, which kicks off at 7:00 PM. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just curious to try, come show off your best rabbit dance and be part of the fun!
Drop in for the last two sessions on December 4th and 11th—see you there!
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Join us for a fun and exciting afternoon as we welcome Métis author Jenn Moudahi to share her new book Charlotte’s New Moccasins.
This special event will be a celebration of Métis storytelling, creativity, and tradition, and we are thrilled to invite families to take part.
After the reading, children will have the chance to get creative by designing their own mini moccasins and learning more about the process of making these traditional pieces of footwear. To make the day even more memorable, each child will receive a hardcover copy of the book to take home.
This event is free of charge, but we ask everyone to register through Eventbrite. The registration link will be posted on our Facebook page and website.
We look forward to seeing you for this fun and meaningful afternoon. Start the new year off on a creative note and join us for a day that will inspire and delight. For any questions, please contact our office at 403‑328‑7828.
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Our council is here to serve and support you. Please reach out with any questions or concerns to info@lethbridgemetis.com
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