Welcome to the August edition of the Lethbridge & Area Métis Association 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!

Hours of Operation

Our office is open:



Monday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Tuesday - 10:00 to 4:00 PM

Wednesday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Thursday - 10:00 - 4:00 PM

Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 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, 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 click the link provided to share a few details about how you would like to participate

August Upcoming Events and Information

The fiddle group is paused for the summer months. See you in the Fall!

Métis Seniors Tea – August 14th



Join us at our office from 1:00 PM–3:00 PM on Friday, August 14th, for a warm, welcoming afternoon of visiting, refreshments, and community connection.

We will be hosting our Seniors' Tea on the 2nd Friday of each month moving forward, so mark your calendars!

Building on the Basics: Wristlet Lanyards Workshop (NOW FULL)

Our Beading Workshops are Blooming! Our latest workshop filled up so fast it's already at capacity! Since launching our basic beading workshops in June, we have been absolutely thrilled by the growing interest. It is so rewarding to see our community come together to enjoy this beautiful Métis tradition.

Because of your enthusiasm, we are working hard to plan even more workshops. Be sure to follow us on social media and watch your inbox so you don't miss out on securing a spot next time!

Calling All Michif Makers

Sell Your Handmade Creations—We Do the Selling!

Are you a Métis artist, beader, sewer, crafter, or maker with handmade items you’d like to share?

The Lethbridge & Area Métis Association is looking for Métis makers to feature at upcoming Farmers’ Markets as part of our Michif Creative Economy Initiative. No vendor fees! LAMA will look after the market table for you—you don’t have to be there.

A way to share your work with the community and introduce your creations to new customers. We’d love to showcase your work. Alternatively if you'd like to attend the market and see how it all works, you can help staff our booth with a partner.

Interested? Give us a call at 403-328-7828 to learn more.

We are currently reviewing and documenting the history of our Jig and Jam program. If you have taken part in the program, or have even just seen and heard the dancers, fiddlers, and guitarists from the program, please consider providing your feedback via the survey linked below. Your responses will be anonymous and will help us strengthen our program. We expect that the survey will take about 15 minutes of your time. If you have any questions, you can contact our office. Thank you!

July in Review

Seniors Tea

What a fantastic afternoon at our Seniors Tea! 

There is something so special about bringing people together. We had a full house with over 14 enjoying tea, treats, great conversations, and plenty of laughter. It was wonderful to see new friendships beginning while longtime friends caught up.

Creating opportunities for connection is what community is all about, and the tea was a beautiful example of that. Thank you to everyone who joined us! We'd love to see you at our next Seniors tea! Open to anyone 50 and over, simply drop in anytime between 1:00-3:00 pm for refreshments, conversation, and connection.

Building on the Basics: Beading

Our beaders had the opportunity to continue building their skills following our beginner beading workshop! This time, participants learned new techniques while creating a beautiful five-petal beaded flower. 

It was wonderful to see their confidence and skills continue to grow. We look forward to building on these basics and introducing more beading techniques throughout the year! 

Would you like to learn the basics of beading or brush up on skills you already have?  We’d love to have you join us! Send us an email to be added to our waitlist for upcoming beading opportunities.

Hooked On Heritage Youth Fishing Experience

What a beautiful day at McVinnie Pond for our Hooked on Heritage Youth Fishing Experience!

Youth and families spent the day learning about Métis fishing traditions, Michif language, fish species, casting techniques, bait and hooks, and the importance of respecting our land and waterways.

A special thank you to Elder Garret for sharing his knowledge, stories, and patience with our youth. 

The day also included fishing, Métis dot art, traditional plant knowledge, time exploring the water, and plenty of opportunities to make new friends and wonderful memories.

Back To School Supplies

Back to School Supplies Pick-Up Day!

Thank you to everyone who registered for our Back to School Supplies program! We are excited to help our youth get ready for a successful school year ahead.

For those who have registered, it is almost time to grab your gear! We will contact successful applicants with confirmation very soon.

This year we are turning pick-up day into a community celebration - everyone is welcome. When you come to collect your supplies, we invite you to stick around for some youth-centred, traditional Indigenous games. Light refreshments available.

When: Friday, August 21st at 1:00 pm

Where: Henderson Park (Meet at the large playground on the north side of Henderson Lake Park. Use the Parkside Drive entrance and park in the north parking lot. The playground is just a short walk from the parking lot, next to the boat docks.)

Please keep in mind this is during Whoop Up Days, so parking may be limited.

We can't wait to see you there to celebrate the end of summer and the start of a great new school year!

See You at the Farmers Market!

We are excited to be at the Farmers Market every other Saturday this summer! Come stop by our booth to say Tansi and check out the beautiful handmade goods from our local Métis artisans.

If you are an artisan and would like an opportunity to sell your Métis craft items, let us know!

It’s also the perfect opportunity to chat with us and ask any questions you might have about our upcoming programs and events.

Market Dates for August:

August 1st, 15th, and 29th

We can't wait to see you there!

Community Events and Resources

Michif (Metis) Introductory Language Course

September 15 - October 20

Online Learning

Southern Michif Introductory Language Online Course 6 interactive 90-minute online lessons on Tuesday evenings from September 15 - October 20

Bursary Opportunity

We’re sharing a funding opportunity that may be of interest to members of our Métis community.

Applications are now open for the Price McIntosh Bursary, offered through Library and Archives Canada. The bursary supports eligible students pursuing studies leading to careers in libraries and archives.



Application deadline: September 24, 2026

Interested in learning more? Visit the official bursary page for full eligibility details and application information.

If you are a LAMA member and over the youth age category, we can cover the cost of your tuition for this course. Contact the office for more details (403)-328-7828 or info@lethbridgemetis.com


NEXT SESSION: Sept. 3

Outdoor Learning School and Store Hosting Free Online 
Workshops

Upcoming Virtual Workshops:

1. Tuesday, August 11: Teaching about Bird Life
2. Tuesday, September 15: Well-being through Outdoor Learning Nature Connection and Mental Health
3. Tuesday, October 13: Understanding Outdoor Play
4. Tuesday, November 10: Supporting Risky Play in Schools
5. Tuesday, December 8: How to Be Hopeful: Empowering Practices to Overcome Despair and Act for Climate Justice

For more information and to sign up, click the link below to be taken to their registration page.

Join Us at Heritage Day!

The Lethbridge & Area Métis Association is thrilled to be taking part in this year's Heritage Day celebrations!

If you are heading down to Henderson Lake Park on August 3rd, be sure to keep an eye out for our traditional Trappers Tent. We would absolutely love for you to stop in, say hi, and visit with us for a while. It is going to be a wonderful day honoring the rich traditions and cultures that shape our community, and we hope to see you there!

When: Monday, August 3, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Where: Henderson Lake Park

Look For: The LAMA Trappers Tent!