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Taanishi!
Welcome to the October 2025 edition of the Lethbridge & Area Métis Association's newsletter!
We hope you stay warm in these coming months and make the most of this autumn season.
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
Meet Our Newest Staff Member!
October Events
September at a Glance
Metis Cooking Corner
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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*
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Meet our Newest Staff!
Brianne Ogden
Program Coordinator
Taanishi! My name is Brianne Ogden, and I’m honoured to step into the role of Program Coordinator with the Lethbridge and Area Métis Association. I’m a proud Red River Métis woman with family roots in Manitoba. Although I was born in British Columbia, Lethbridge has been home for most of my life.
I’m passionate about learning and sharing Métis culture, and I feel most grounded when I’m out in the bush or near water. Beadwork is a big part of my life—I love creating it, collecting it, teaching it, and celebrating everything it represents. I started making jewelry this past summer and haven’t looked back! You can find my work on Instagram at
@noble_heart_beads
I’m excited to connect with our community, share meaningful experiences, and help strengthen our culture together.
Maarsii!
| | | 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 by contacting the office, or by 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!
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We are pleased to be offering a weekly Jig & Jam session this fall! Participants will have the chance to sign up for beginner fiddle or guitar lessons in a small group, and then learn jigging techniques in a larger group.
Please note that music lessons will be limited to 10 beginner students in each small group. Instrument rentals are available after numbers have been finalized.
**THERE IS STILL SPACE IN OUR GUITAR LESSONS**
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Resume Building and Professionalism Workshop
We will be hosting a professionalism workshop at the Lethbridge Public Library Main Branch with Emory Hache from Lethbridge Polytechnic! This workshop will help participants to develop interviewing skills, build a strong resume, and many other skills needed for today's working world!
This workshop will be held on October 4 and 18 from 1-3PM.
Registration is for both sessions, but we urge you to sign up even if you can only attend one.
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Let's Get Fiddling!
Garrett and Monique will be co-hosting a causal Métis Fiddle Group that comes together for music, stories and laughter every every first and third Sunday of the month.
The first Sunday of the month will be hosted by Garrett Delorme from 2PM-4PMish at 1035 Canyon Blvd W
The third Sunday of the month will be hosted by Monique Giroux from 2PM-4PMish at 718 17th St S
OCTOBER'S FIDDLING DATES: Sunday, October 5 and Sunday, October 19
We hope to see you there!
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This month's Seniors Coffee will be October 10 from 1 PM to 3 PM at the office! We hope to see you there!
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Jig & Jam September
In September, we had our first sessions of Jig & Jam! Participants have had the option to pick up fiddle or guitar in beginner to intermediate lessons on Thursday evenings, followed by traditional jigging and dance.
There is still space in guitar lessons, and everyone is welcome to come and dance around 7 PM! Please don't be afraid to register as we enter October!
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Seniors Coffee
We've continued hosting our Senior's Coffee into the fall! It is a great chance to meet some of our Council and staff, and connect with old friends.
If you haven't made it to one of these gatherings yet, we encourage you try one out!
Our next coffee will be October 10, from 1 PM to 3 PM
| | | | Truth and Reconciliation Week | | On September 22, we began our recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Week at the Opening Ceremonies at City Hall. Our incumbent Council President Renee gave a speech, and we had the honour of having Elder Alice Bissonette in attendance. | | On September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we hosted an Open House for community members and neighbours to come in and see what our Association does, and who the Metis people are, both historically and presently. We offered dot painting and finger weaving as well as an assortment of artifacts to interact with! We hope this day was a time of reflection and peace for you. | | |
Apply Now for the BIPOC Foundation's Activation Grant!
The BIPOC Grant Secure the Bag is designed to support and uplift Black, Indigenous, and POC entrepreneurs, creatives, and changemakers by providing financial resources to help turn ideas into reality.
The grant has four distinct categories: community, art, entrepreneurship, and student. We encourage you to apply! Guidelines, rules and restrictions, and more information can be found below!
| | There are many exciting things happening at the Library this month for all ages! Check below to see what appeals to you, and get out into the community! | | If you're looking for things to do as the weather grows colder this fall, be sure to check out this Harvest Market organized by local businesswomen and featuring local artists! | | Bring the whole family for our annual Craft & Bake Sale at Nord-Bridge with over 27 vendors to choose from, delicious baked goods, and FREE entry to all! All proceeds from the bake sale go towards Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre's recreation programs. | |
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Tomato Soup Cake - "Poor Man's Carrot Cake"
This simple cake comes from Saskatchewan's Western Region IIA YouTube channel, where many other beloved Metis recipes can be found!
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Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter/margerine
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 can tomato soup
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9x9 cake pan
- Mix together butter and sugar until there are no lumps
- Add teaspoon of baking soda to the can of tomato soup and stir to combine
- Mix prepared can of tomato soup into butter/sugar mixture
- Add spices and flour to bowl, and mix until combined
- Bake for about an hour, but "keep an eye on it"
- Cake is done when a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean
- Frost to taste! Cream Cheese icing is recommended
Recipe from Western Region IIA
Metis Kitchen Party: Recipes from Home - Tomato Soup Cake
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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.
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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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