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MARCH 2005 Métis Matters Providing communication to Métis and non-Métis people to create awareness, promote and preserve Métis heritage and culture. Edited and Published by Felice Gladue We welcome donations to cover our costs. Cheques can be made payable to the Métis Matters Foundation of Alberta. Thank you for your continued support. Please forward this copy to others that may be interested in keeping updated on our community. The opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Métis Matters Foundation of Alberta nor the opinions of any Métis local, regional, or provincial organization or their affiliates. The views expressed in this publication are those of its contributors only. The publisher invites comments from our readers but reserves the right to edit or reject material at her discretion. To receive the newsletter, free of charge, to send submissions or to advertise, contact us at: Quotation Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. - Ghandi Contents:
1. Events
2. Education and Employment
3. Métis Success Stories
4. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
5. Speaking Up, Speaking Out
6. Working with You
7. Métis Financial Matters
8. Métis Interest Articles
9. Métis National News
10. Métis Cultural Corner
11. Joke of the Month 12. Recipe
According to MNC president Clem Chartier in a recent personal interview, the leader stated that much of the direction will focus on "updates of progress we're making on rights like the harvesting issue, post-Powley activities . . . where we're at in terms of nation building . . . direction to go in terms of our constitution . . . reports of our different ministries." Chartier added that the assembly will also look for direction from the people regarding "what should our priorities be at the First Ministers meeting and at the retreat . . . (and) the potential framework agreement that we'd like to see signed." Both the First Ministers meeting and the retreat are scheduled for later this year. An additional priority, one that will also come as a result of the political forums at the AGM, is the matter of health. The feds have promised $700 million over five years for Aboriginal health. However, Chartier is concerned that "the majority of the funds will go to Indian and Inuit health care because the federal government takes the position that they have a relationship and jurisdiction with respect to Indian and Inuit people and the Métis should turn to the provinces." It is hoped that the meetings with the feds may turn that situation around in favour of the Métis. As for some concern regarding the participation of the seemingly unstable Métis political organizations in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Chartier claimed they are recognized as part and parcel of the MNC and can participate equally in all its processes at the AGM. "The Board of Governors has the vice-president as the acting president of the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia; in Saskatchewan you have a president that was elected and is sitting on the Board of Governors," explained Chartier. The AGM, for those who are not aware, is open to any Métis who wish to attend. 8th Annual John Arcand Fiddle Fest Free workshops will run all day Friday on Fiddle, Guitar, Piano and Red River Jigging. There is free un-serviced camping, an on-site concession, great concerts, the Fiddle Contest, the Canadian Red River Jigging Championships, an old time dance and much more. Returning this year is Calvin Vollrath, Patti Kusturok, Desmond Lagace, Trent Bruner, Lionel Gilbertson, Freddie and Sheila Pelletier along with an amazing line-up of performers and special guests that will be showcased at the Friday Night Welcoming Concert Series and throughout the weekend. Visit www.johnarcand.com for more information, pictures and results from last year’s Fiddle Fest. The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) is a non-profit organization, dedicated to the promotion, improvement and self-fulfillment of Aboriginal women within the concept of self-government and community, recognizing the strength and beauty of all Aboriginal Women. O Once again the IAAW is proud to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal women from across Alberta with the 2005 Esquao Awards. This year as part of our Alberta Provincial Centennial Celebrations the awards evening will include a special ceremony honouring our 100 year old Aboriginal women. Aboriginal women are nominated and awarded for significant accomplishments in the areas of:
Do You Know a 100 Year or Older Aboriginal Woman?
The Institute for the Advancment of Aboriginal Women is searching for Aboriginal Women who are or will be 100 or more years of age in 2005. These women will be interviewed and videotaped telling their life stories over the past 100 years. They will then be brought to Edmonton for the Esquao Awards to be held May 5, 2005 and will be presented with gifts from Dr. Colleen Klein.
To provide names and contact numbers, please call Stella Martin @ 1-780-479-8195 or toll fee 1-877-471-2171.
A Weekend of Fiddle Heaven From his humble beginnings with his ‘Country Swing’ band to the over 350 compositions, 44 recordings and the unmentionable number of fiddle contest titles, Calvin has become an inspiration to fiddlers, young and old alike, across Canada. Other highlights in Calvin’s career include his participation at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Berlin Germany, his commission to compose the theme for the International Fiddle Convention ‘Fiddles of the World’ and his appearance at the closing ceremonies for the World Track & Field Games. Most recently, Calvin has been nominated to receive the inaugural Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award to be handed out April 16, 2005. His television credits include member of the house band for CTV’s ‘Sun Country’ & CBC’s ‘Native Nashville North’ and a feature on CBC’s ‘Adrienne Clarkson Presents’. "I have been truly blessed with a musical gift and I consider myself fortunate to have such a fulfilling career" comments Calvin, truly appreciative of his successes. Calvin is an amazing artist and his accomplishments have made him a fiddle icon worth celebrating! On Sunday, April 24th, at 2:00 p.m., the party continues with the Calvin Vollrath Fiddle Gala at the Arden Theatre in St. Albert, Alberta. This concert will feature the guest fiddlers that have come from across Canada to take part in the weekend’s events. Tickets are $15.00. Tickets for both these events are available at the Arden Theatre Box Office (780) 459-1542, Myhre’s Music (780) 477-1586 and all Ticketmaster locations (780) 451-8000 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. The weekend will kick off with an Old Time Fiddle Dance on Friday, April 22nd at 8 pm at the Yellowhead Motor Inn. Tickets are $8.00 and available at the door. Calvin Vollrath and his friends will supply the dance music.
MARCH 3, 2005 MARCH 5 & 6, 2005 MARCH 14, 2005 MARCH 19, 2005 MARCH 19, 2005 MARCH 18 - 20, 2005 MAY 14, 2005 JULY 29 - Aug 1, 2005
Education / Employment
Métis Matters Recognizes Youth Community Involvement The Métis Matters Foundation of Alberta is proud to offer it’s Second Annual Grade 4 to 12 Scholarships to Alberta Métis students. The purpose of the scholarships is to encourage students to contribute to their community and to stay in school. The focus is not on high academic grades, but rather on community involvement, commitment and volunteerism as well as regular school attendance. There will be three categories with two scholarships given in each category:
The deadline for applications is Thursday, May 12, 2005. To print an application click here. For more information contact Felice at 780-975-2084 or info@metismatters.com. Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan To get the $500 grant for their baby, a parent must first register the birth and obtain a social insurance number for the child. The next step is to open an RESP at a bank or with an RESP provider. The bank or RESP provider can then help guide parents through the application process for the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Grant. Subsequent grants of $100 will be available to children attending school in Alberta at ages 8, 11 and 14 starting with children born in 2005. This means that the first of the $100 grants will be issued in 2013. This investment will have an important impact on future students, and is aligned with government’s current commitment to ensure that young Albertans already in or about to enter the Kindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary systems enjoy every possible advantage. Alberta’s education system and the results achieved by Alberta students are among the best in the world. Government is committed to further investment in today’s learners and to improving upon our world class learning opportunities. As a province, we must ensure that we respond to the needs of today, while anticipating and taking action to meet the needs of tomorrow. Government’s comprehensive learning strategy, which includes the Alberta Centennial Educational Savings Plan, achieves this balance. Ben Calf Robe's Mother Earth & Me Aboriginal Head Start program is for you!!! Our Belmead west end site is currently accepting applications to complete the 2004-2005 academic school year. AM Classes run from 8:30am – 11:30am Tuesday thru Friday The site is located at: Home Liaison Workers provide support and assistance for families to enhance the child’s educational experience and facilitate the transition between home and school. Modified Programming is available for those children requiring additional assessment and services. Please call Bernice at 477-6648 Ext #243 (office) or 930-4215 (school) to register.
Métis Success Stories Guest 2005 Best Bet Winner Belle of Batoche, Métis author Jacqueline Guest's new novel for youngsters young and old, has been chosen by the Ontario Library Association as a Best Bet Winner for 2005. This is the story of 11 year old Belle, a Métis girl, who finds herself caught up in the middle of the Battle of Batoche. The story's incidents, characters as well as the sad outcome, are based on fact woven around a fictionized story of two girls who enter a contest to see who will be the bell ringer at the church. For more information on Jacqueline and her books please visit www.jacquelineguest.com.
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development By Honourable Pearl Calahasen, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Education, Health Top Agenda of 26th Legislature Alberta will pay particular attention to education, health care and other priorities identified by Albertans in the coming session of the Alberta Legislature. I agree wholeheartedly with Premier Ralph Klein’s assessment that Alberta “is truly awesome! And it’s going to get even better.” Tuesday, March 1, marks the opening of Alberta’s 26th Legislature and I’m thrilled to be back representing Aboriginal and Northern Albertans and my constituents in Lesser Slave Lake.
Speaking Up, Speaking Out By Terry Lusty Aboriginal Veterans and Residential School Survivors Sometimes I just don't know about our federal government. At present there are at least two important matters that demand the immediate attention of the feds. Both happen to be long outstanding issues that have been on the books for not just years but decades. Both affect a good number of our Elders and elderly. Would someone please tell me just when is government going to quit sitting on its hands and deal with the matters of compensation to our Aboriginal war veterans and our other kind of warriors - residential school survivors? After all, both are aging groups that are not going to be with us much longer. Or, is that the government plan - given the right amount of time those individuals will all simply fade away. Indeed they are but should we be sitting back and allowing this to continue? I think not! Keyam! Enough is enough! Let's get with the program, eh! In this day and age, government and the media are making such a huge fuss of our darling soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere while their heroes of yesteryear are shunted to the back of the bus. We have honoured them with memorial tributes, statues, plaques and the like and its a nice gesture. In their time, our Aboriginal veterans have demonstrated selfless patriotism in more ways than one to flag and country. Those of First Nation heritage were required to give up their Treaty Indian status in order to join the forces. And, they didn't even have to join the war effort. That part was purely voluntary. Several years ago, the federal minister of Indian Affairs, Jane Stewart, issued a public apology on behalf of the federal government and the Oblates, likewise, extended a public apology although it seemed only half-hearted and even then they couldn't find the wherewithall to simply say, "We're sorry." Anyway, even saying sorry just doesn't cut it. Mere words are not always sufficient though that would have been nice. There has been a lot of damage done. Many of the victims have suffered, in silence I might add, for years as such was the custom of so many of our people and for so long. It's a scene that's been tolerated and has existed for half a century, even more. Outside of the funding provided to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, how has government and/or the church compensated the affected and individual Aboriginals? Where is the financial compensation for them? How much longer will they have to wait and endure? In the meantime, our country has long since seen fit to compensate other victims, people like the Japanese and Ukrainian Canadians. We understand there is never an easy solution. That said, however, how is it that government so conveniently found their way to resolve the matter of satisfying the Japanese and Ukrainians but not our Aboriginal war veterans and not the innocent, defenceless children that were once in the care of the residential schools. Is our point getting home? Government and churches, listen up! You were at fault. It's a known historical fact as is the fact you have not fully dealt with this matter. Our few remaining war veterans have not been given their just due, have not received any alotments of lands that were given to other soldiers. Our residential school survivors have not been compensated for years of confinement and abuse and many are still suffering the aftermath, even to the point of breakdowns, seizures, and suicides. When is it our turn? Many who should have been on the receiving end are already long gone from this life. Canada, we may be dying off but we aim to be heard and we aim to be acknowledged accordingly. You can quit trying to keep us down, we're tired of it. You can quit slapping us in the face; we'll not sit still for it. Not anymore.
Métis Pride is Alive in Alberta! I have had the opportunity to travel to many communities over the past few months and Métis Pride is the common theme throughout Alberta. As I continue to attend the Community Consultations on Métis Harvesting, I observe our President and Minister of Métis Rights do their best to inform our people of the importance of this Interim Harvesting Agreement. I must say, our people are asking some really good questions. I am confident that with the continued support of the provincial government and the continued efforts of the Métis Nation of Alberta, our Interim Harvesting Agreement will become a full fledged final agreement.
As you may know, this Interim Harvesting Agreement is a direct result of the Steve Powley ruling from the Supreme Court of Canada. On February 23rd, 2005, Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance – Government of Canada, presented the Federal budget. In Ministers Goodale’s announcement, he talked about “Canada’s Relationship with the Métis community” (Post Powley). This is what he presented:
“In the 2003 Powley decision, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized the Métis Aboriginal right to harvest for food in the Sault Ste. Marie area of Northern Ontario, and allowed for the possibility that such rights might exist elsewhere in Canada.
In response to this decision, Budget 2004 set aside $20.5 million in 2004–05 to work with Métis leadership, provinces and territories to address Métis Aboriginal harvesting issues. Over the last year, the Government of Canada has been working with stakeholders to assess the broader implications of the decision, develop possible approaches to implementation, and facilitate responsible harvesting while ensuring public safety. But more work needs to be done. To that end, Budget 2005 provides an additional $30 million over the next two years to continue work with provincial and territorial governments, Métis organizations and other stakeholders to fully assess the implications of the decision for Métis communities and ensure effective implementation of the Supreme Court decision.”
Finally, I am very excited to be a delegate to the Métis National Council’s Annual General Meeting on March 19th-20th, 2005 in Calgary. I am looking forward to hearing updates from the provinces on the work they’ve done post-Powley. We must remember that in addition to providing an opportunity to deliberate on the important issues of the day, this Annual General Meeting is also a time to reflect on our rich heritage and culture.
If you want to contact me for further information:
Métis Financial Matters By Shawna J. Serniak Life Insurance WHAT IS BUY TERM AND INVEST THE DIFFERENCE? In the past, many have assumed that an outside investment, coupled with a term policy, would achieve higher values than those found inside a whole life policy. The problem is that term life insurance will eventually end. You will not receive any benefits if you outlive your policy term. Whole life insurance is considered a sound way to achieve life insurance protection and grow a cash value at the same time. However, whole life has failed to provide you with control over your invested dollars. Is there a life insurance plan that provides the protection you need, with the investment growth you’re looking for, and the control over your investments you get from other investment alternatives? Yes, there is! A universal life insurance plan does all three, and it provides a tax-free growth on earnings that few other investment options provide. WHAT IS UNIVERSAL LIFE? HOW DOES UNIVERSAL LIFE WORK? What’s more, it’s easy for you to transfer funds between accounts as your investment objectives change. Upon death, accumulated funds in your policy can be paid over and above the face amount of the policy, tax-free. Even the most efficient deferred capital gains investments cannot meet the tax efficiency of tax-free accumulation and tax-free pay-out at death. PREMIUM- PAYMENT HOLIDAYS SHOULD YOU CONSIDER UNIVERSAL LIFE? For more information on Universal Life Insurance, please contact: Shawna J Serniak
Métis Interest Behind the Name: Loutit Street Over 80 years ago Ellen Loutit was born in a log cabin on MacDonald Island. Her sister Sarah was born at Poplar Point, north on the Athabasca, a few year later. Lola, who married Hector Demers, and lived in Fort McMurray all of her life, was another of the 12 children born to Billy and Agatha Loutit. Ellen and Sarah, charming and beautiful ladies, visited Fort McMurray once again last summer. The Loutit family has a long and distinguished history in the north. Originally from Scotland, brought to Canada by the Hudson’s Bay Company, one branch of the family settled in Fort Chipewyan. Billy was born there in 1877, son of Peter Loutit, one of the first white settlers at the fort. He arrived at the northern outpost in 1865 and later married an aboriginal woman. At 17 Billy started working on the boats for the Hudson’s Bay Company and he continued as a riverman until 1947, having served on every HBC boat freighting on the Athabasca River. In 1914 the sternwheeler S.S. Athabasca River was brought to Fort McMurray over the Grand Rapids and Billy was chosen as one of the pilots on the very first boat to negotiate the dangerous rapids. Just a year before that, while working in Athabasca, Billy met and married Agatha Ladouceur, daughter of David and Marie Rose Ladouceur, whose family name was prominent in the Lac La Biche, Plamondon and Athabasca area of that time. Billy was employed by the Hudson’s Bay Co. on the Echo. During the winters the family moved to Poplar Point, some 90 miles down the Athabasca River. Here he ran the HBC trading post and the Loutit daughters recalled their mother’s wonderful cooking enjoyed by legendary pilots such as Punch Dickens and Wop May as they stopped at the trading post on their way north. Mrs. Loutit was also a great seamstress and made all the family clothing. Although she could not read she was fluent in Cree, English and French and played both the violin and the accordion. Billy, born in Fort Chip, spoke both Cree and Chip as well as English and was a great communicator between many of the natives as they came to ply their wares. Although the young family spent the winters in isolation at Poplar Point, after breakup they returned to McMurray where schooling was available. For some years they lived where Boston Pizza is now located and grew a large garden. Berry picking was a must each summer, just as in October Mother Loutit started the winter task of knitting socks for her family. She was also the family doctor using medicines made from the wilds. One winter Billy cut the end off his finger while cutting wood, she put something from a tree on it, bound it up and it healed. As well as his duties at trading post, Billy Loutit cut wood every winter for the steamboats that plied the river. He was a hard worker and very honest, his daughters recall, he loved music and dancing and often acted as caller for the square dances. In addition to the records he kept for The Bay, Billy kept a personal diary, writing in it daily. One of Billy’s brothers, Tommy, ran the HBC trading post at Fort MacKay for a number of years and then moved west to the Chip Lakes area to operate the HBC post there. Billy took over the Fort MacKay outlet for a couple of years after Tommy’s departure and it was there that Agatha was mid-wife to numerous children, according to long time elder Fred MacDonald. Some of the Grandjambes of the area are descendants of Tommy Loutit. Ellen, who now lives on Vancouver Island, lived here for many years and her six children are still here. She worked at St. Gabriel Hospital for several years. Sarah married a US sailor in 1944 and eventually moved to Seattle where she worked for Boeing for 39 years. The Loutits have a well-deserved reputation for stamina and speed. Athabasca Landing experienced a terrible flood in 1904.Billy Loutit was chosen to carry a dispatch to Edmonton to advise of the town’s emergency. He ran over flooded roads and rough terrain in 16 hours and arrived before the messenger that had been dispatched on horseback. The Town of Athabasca hosts the Billy Loutit Triathlon each summer. The past year a great granddaughter of William Loutit, from Saskatchewan, placed third in the half marathon. Descendants of Billy and Agatha Loutit from Fort McMurray, including the Demers, Romanchuks and Gallaghers, attended the two-day event enjoying a family reunion. Another amazing run by Billy saw him take a Mounted Police dispatch, pulling a hand-sled, from Fort Chipewyan to Fort Smith - there and back - in three days. His brother George, without help, brought a scow with 4000 pounds from Athabasca to Fort Chip. One night as the river rose suddenly, Billy single handedly unloaded nine tons of freight from one scow to another. Doug Demers tells us that although many of Billy’s grandchildren never had the pleasure of meeting him, they take solace in the fact that grandson Billy Loutit, son Paul and Kay (Waniandy) is the “spittin’ image” in both physical and spiritual demeanor. He is the current president of the Métis Local#1935 and dedicated to the betterment of the local aboriginal people. All descendants take immense pride in the fact that Billy and his siblings played an import part in the opening of the northern frontiers. Their abilities to navigate the waterways of the Athabasca, the Slave, and right to the mouth of the great Mackenzie River are legendary and they stand proudly with many other pioneering families of the great north. Today, the spirit of adventure and daring is still alive in the Loutit family. A member of the Loutit family, Sean of Fort Smith, was the pilot on two daring rescue missions to the South Pole that took place recently. Our area is honoured to have had such pioneers as the Loutits. A Magical Night for the Youth By Amanda L’Hirondelle, UMAYCI Project Officer, Métis Nation of Alberta The Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards Committee worked diligently to promote the Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards through the help of family, friends, staff and volunteers. Approximately 3000 brochures were mailed to schools, businesses, youth programs and our contacts within the Aboriginal community. The awards were held at the Victoria School of Performing Arts in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 11, 2005 honouring 16 stunning Aboriginal youth that were selected based upon their nomination forms. The categories and winners are: Culture and Heritage Personal Achievement The night of the awards was described as “magical” as Asani opened the awards with O Canada sung in English, French and Cree. Asani knocked the crowd off their feet and received a roaring standing ovation. Red Nation also dazzled the crowd and had the ladies in the back screaming “what boy”. Other performers included the talented Susan Aglukark, Kikino dancers and the Muskosis dancers. The night ended off with a “meet and mingle” with the Role Model recipients. In conjunction with the awards and in partnership with Oteenow Employment and Training Society a Labour Market Information Conference was held at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) on February 11, 12, 13, 2005. Aboriginal youth between the ages 15-29 were in attendance from all across the province. The youth received a taste of life as a NAIT student and hands on learning. One youth delegate commented that “The best part of the conference was when we got to make sausages and cookies”. An exciting aspect of the Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards is the school tours. In partnership with Métis Nation of Alberta’s Education Sector Advisor, the Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards committee has asked last year’s award recipients to speak to students about the program in general, about positive lifestyles, the importance of staying in school and receiving an education. Currently, a few school tours are planned in the communities of Grande Prairie and Calgary. Keep your eyes peeled for the 2006 Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards. It proves to be even better next year! The committee would like to thank each and every one of you who helped make this event possible! For more information, please contact the Métis Nation Of Alberta at 1-800-252-7553 (toll free in Alberta). National Pres Attends Lac La Biche Community Meeting Approximately one hundred Métis turned up at McArthur Place in Lac La Biche on February 19 for a community consultation meeting on Métis rights. Apart from Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) politicians and staff was the appearance of national Métis president Clem Chartier and lawyer Cindy Bertolin who were on hand to provide updates on Métis issues and to respond to any questions from the audience. The session commenced with words from provincial president Audrey Poitras, vice-president Trevor Gladue, National president Chartier and Regional president George Quintal. Poitras provided some background on just where the Powley case and decision that has led to interim guaranteed hunting rights for Alberta's Métis sits at present. After giving some of the history of the court proceedings, Poitras expressed delight that, for the sake of legitimate Métis hunters, the provincial government recognizes existing Métis Nation of Alberta membership cards and that they are "accepted by the provincial government" for hunting purposes. This further ties into the fact that when asked why the provincial Métis bother to talk to the provinces when the decision was from the federal level, Poitras stated that "we need to work with them (the province)" if they are to change things favourably for Métis people. And, while many members have concerns about fishing rights as well, Poitras added, "This is not just about hunting and fishing, it's about all rights in Alberta." Exactly what "all" refers to, however, was left unexplained. So, too, was the contents of the interim agreement with the province. Does it only make concessions about hunting rights or is there more? National president Clem Chartier had some rather optimistic news for Alberta's Métis as he brought to light the fact that Prime Minister Martin has been "open to meet with us." That, he claimed is precisely what we needed, "someone that will come to the table, sit with us and discuss things. I've had three telephone calls from the PM, we've had a breakfast meeting with him, were around the table last April, had a First Ministers meeting on health last September and this year we're going to have a further retreat with the PM and 10 cabinet ministers, the committee on Aboriginal Affairs and, in the fall we're going to have a First Ministers meeting on Aboriginal issues including health." To his way of thinking, Chartier likes the signs which all appear to point to good things down the road, progressive things for the Métis. The previous Prime Minister, he explained, "never even met with us." Section 35 of the 1982 Constitution, he said, "stated very clearly that Métis are one of three Aboriginal peoples in Canada, that Métis rights are no less than Indian and Inuit rights and that being Métis is not only being of mixed ancestry . . . more than that. It says . . . we are a nation of people, a distinct people." In consequence, the MNC is striving to develop a national framework agreement with the feds that is similar to the present interim agreement that Alberta's Métis have with the province of Alberta. The MNC, he added, hopes to draw in the Northwest Territories as a national member of the MNC and is even considering some of the northern American states - Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota - as they are considered "the southern part of our (Métis) homeland." During the question and answer period, inquiries were made about fishing rights, trap lines, Métis cards and land and royalty rights. Not one to host an event without some cultural inclusion and much to the enjoyment of all present, an impromptu contest was conducted in moose calling, jigging and fiddling.
Honorable mention is extended to Trevor Gladue and Bev New for their singing performances and to Felice Gladue for her dance performance. *The Northern Métis Celebration is one of three annual Signature Cultural Events hosted by the College’ Grouard Campus each year. The others are the Pow-Wow, held in April and a Round Dance held in the fall.
All proceeds went to the Caring Shelter which opened in 2003 and is operated by the MNA Local #1990. The Caring Shelter provides a safe culturally sensitive haven for Aboriginal Elders suffering from abuse and economic need. Local donations, contributions from the Métis Nation of Alberta, and land and services from the City of Grande Prairie made this one of a kind project a reality. Talent Contest winners were: Child Red River Jig (12 and under) Child Vocal (12 and under) Teen Red River Jig (13 - 17 years) Fiddling (all ages) Adult Red River Jig Métis Nation of Albert Region 5 Report Tansi from Region 5! Here we are in the third month of the new year and already things are moving along quickly. Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Region 5 together with the Northern Lakes College (NLC) in Grouard just completed our 2nd annual Northern Métis Celebration The event was attended by people from all over the province and a great time was had by all. Métis National News A Night When Our Voices Take to the Air The Métis Nation of Ontario's Cultural Commission is proud to announce the official global launching of an online Métis radio station at www.metisradio.fm on March 10, 2005. The gala will be held at the Berkeley Church in Toronto, Ontario and can be seen as a live video stream at www.metisradio.fm at 8:00 p.m. EST. Métis Cultural Corner Questions Métis Script 1. Which Métis communities were involved with the 1920 petition to investigate Métis grievances? Métis Cultural Corner Answers 1. In 1920, The Métis of Fort Resolution, Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan presented Prime Minister Arthur Meighen with a petition asking for the Royal Commission to investigate their grievances with the scrip scandal. 2. Their request was refused and it was suggested that if any frauds were perpetrated with script, they should take ordinary proceedings before the court. 3. Following the advice of the Government, they charged Richard Secord, a wealthy businessman in Edmonton, with fraud. He had obtained hundreds of thousands of acres of land, which he sold for profit. Panic struck the business and political communities, for many family fortunes were built from the script of the Métis and Indians. Source: Canadian History Directory
Joke of the Month Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Edmonton when she saw an elderly Métis woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was going to be a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and The Métis woman was silent for a moment, and then speaking with the quiet
Recipe Pemmican Stuffed Bannock Pemmican: Bannock: Combine the first three ingredients in food processor and process until mixture becomes a thick paste. Sift dry ingredients together and cut lard into coarse crumbs. Add water and mix just until dough comes together. Wrap and refrigerate. Divide dough into 16 pieces and form into ½ inch thick rounds. Divide pemmican into 8 servings and spread over 8 bannock rounds. Top with second bannock pieces and pinch edges to seal. Heat 1 tbsp oil in cast iron skillet and cook stuffed bannock until brown on both sides, about 10 minutes per side. Serve hot from the oven. |
Metis Matters: August 2008 |
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