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May 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. These 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 Peace begins with a smile. ~ Mother Teresa Contents:
1. Events
2. Education/Employment 3. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development 4. Speaking Up, Speaking Out
5. Métis Me
6. Working with You
7. Métis Financial Matters
8. Métis Interest Articles
9. National Métis News
10. Métis Cultural Corner
11. Joke of the Month 12. Recipe
Events Aboriginal Children's Chorus Hosts Spring Concert The Edmonton Aboriginal Children's Chorus (EACC) will be hosting their year-end Sekwan Pisim (Spring Moon) Concert on Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church of the First People's 10821-96 Street, Edmonton. Please come out to support and celebrate the voices of our children as they showcase traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and children's choral selections. Audition forms for next season for children ages 8-13 will be available at the concert. For additional information regarding the concert or the chorus, please contact Sherryl at 780-906-1923 or Darlene at 780-915-2395.
77th Annual General Assembly Planned for Peace River Region VI President Sylvia Johnson recently announced the change in location saying, “Fort Vermillion’s Local President Robert Smith and the Métis who live there realize that a gathering of four to five hundred people in their small community would be too great strain on their volunteers and resources.” Johnson adds that, “The assembly dates coincide with the forest fire fighting season and at that time of the year; many people from Fort Vermillion are out working as firefighters, ground crews, as cooks, they’re out working in the forestry camps. And it became clear that holding the assembly in Fort Vermillion just wasn’t in the cards this time around.” The Annual General Assembly is scheduled for August 12, 13, and 14, 2005 and will be held inside the Travellers Motor Hotel in Peace River. As for accommodations, Johnson says, “There more than 600 hotel rooms in Peace River and there’s lots of camping space so a comfortable nights sleep shouldn’t be a problem for all the people we are expecting at the Assembly” The schedule of events will be determined over the next couple of months. But Regional President Johnson says, “Metis should come to Peace River this summer prepared to have a really good time. When we held the 1999 Assembly in Grande Prairie, we had all sorts of activities and contests for Métis to take part in after the business meetings and everyone had a great time. We always put on a gala celebration and we mean to do it again this August.” Johnson says the plan to hold the assembly in Fort Vermillion was seen as an opportunity to showcase one of the oldest communities in the province and what makes this one so unique is that it’s a traditional Métis community. “We put a great deal of thought into the selection of the location, we thought about it for three years and decided the provincial centennial celebration was an opportune time to put a spotlight on one of our traditional Métis communities. We wanted people to experience the outdoors, a few nights in tents, cooking around a campfire and warding off the mosquitoes. While that’s not feasible, we still plan to showcase another of our northern communities.” Fort Vermillion celebrated its bi-centennial in 1988 making the community 213 years old. MNA President Audrey Poitras says, “We want to make sure that each of the Regions has an opportunity to show off their communities and I know the Local president and Métis in Fort Vermillion were looking forward to hosting the assembly this summer. It was a difficult choice for people in the community to make and the decision to move the assembly was one that they made graciously and we accept that.” Poitras added, “The regional leadership, President Sylvia Johnson and Vice President Louis Bellrose worked quickly with their Regional Council to find another location and I’m confident they will find a way to involve Fort Vermillion Métis in the planning of the assembly.”
On the Monday, May 23, 2005 of the Victoria long weekend, the committee will be hosting an Aboriginal Festival at Sir Winston Churchill Park, located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta. The festival will include opening ceremonies at 10:00 a.m. followed by entertainment throughout the day showcasing some of Alberta’s finest Aboriginal entertainers. Come and celebrate 100 years of Aboriginal history! MAY 5, 2005 MAY 6, 2005 MAY 11, 2005 JUNE 24, 2005 Red River West Victoria Fish & Game Club, 700 Holker Place, Malahat Drive, HWY #1, Vancouver Island, Bristish Columbia Contact Bruce at 250-923-5455 or Ed at 250-753-7471. Visit http://www.redriverwest.org. JULY 9, 2005 2nd Annual Anzac Métis Festival Outdoor Games, Jigging, Fiddling and Talent Show Anzac, Alberta Contact Gladys at 780-334-2412 JULY 21-24, 2005 Back to Batoche Days Batoche, Saskatchewan JULY 29 - AUG 1, 2005 Big Valley Contact Richard at 403-876-2945 or apeetogusan7@hotmail.com. Visit http://www.hivernant.com AUGUST 12 - 14, 2005 Métis Nation of Peace River, Contact Sylvia at 1-800-668-5319 OCTOBER 24 & 25, 2005 Education / Employment Ceremonial Room Connects NorQuest Students to Spirit World Aboriginal students attending NorQuest College have a new place to gather for counselling, prayer, and traditional cleansing ceremonies. The Aboriginal Ceremonial Room, which officially opens today, provides NorQuest students with continued Aboriginal support services in a colourful new setting symbolizing hope, love, faith, and strength. The multi-purpose facility is used by students and Elders to conduct healing circles, story telling, traditional Smudging (cleansing) ceremonies, and as a meeting room for the Aboriginal Student Club. “We are very proud to offer our students a place where they can share stories, connect with their Elders, and conduct traditional ceremonies to celebrate their culture,” says NorQuest College President, Dr. Wayne Shillington. “The Ceremonial Room is a wonderful complement to our many Aboriginal programs and support services and will serve as an inspiration to future generations of NorQuest students.” The Aboriginal Ceremonial Room exists because of a $10,000 donation from ATCO Gas. It’s All About Opportunities III It’s All About Opportunities III Sick of Earning Poor Wages? Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development By Honourable Pearl Calahasen, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Investing in the Next Alberta Alberta is truly the best place in the world to live, work and visit. And in Budget 2005, the Alberta government is strengthening the province’s fiscal situation by investing in key areas that help make a difference to Aboriginal communities everyday. On April 13, my cabinet colleague Finance Minister Shirley McClellan unveiled Alberta’s 12th consecutive balanced budget, a remarkable achievement indeed. Our accumulated debt has also been erased, cleaning the financial slate for generations to come. Deficit budgets remain against the law, meaning our government will never spend more than it collects in any given year. Major investments in learning, infrastructure, policing, health and other programs were also revealed by Minister McClellan in her $27.3 billion spending blueprint for 2005-06. With the accumulated debt eliminated, available budget surpluses are no longer required for debt repayment, freeing up an estimated $5.5 billion available for reallocation over the next three years. One of the key areas for our government is investing in people. This year funding to support those in need will increase by $205 million, or 8.3%, to $2.7 billion. Seniors benefits will increase, affordable supportive living units in rural Alberta will be added, and seniors are exempt from health care premiums. As well, the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) monthly income benefit will rise and the program will be enhanced. Services for children, assistance to Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and health benefit programs for children in low-income families and eligible adults will all see additional funding. The Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit will be enhanced in July as the qualifying income threshold will be lowered. As well, the program will be expanded to include up to four children, and the maximum credit for the first child will be increased. About 13,000 new families will be added to the program with these changes. The maximum credit amounts and phase-out threshold will be indexed to inflation starting in July 2006. Of course, in order to keep pace with the ongoing growth in our prosperous province, we must invest in infrastructure. As Premier Klein likes to say when people from other provinces move to Alberta seeking new opportunities, they don’t bring their roads, hospitals and schools with them. With that in mind, our government has drawn-up a three-year $9.2 billion Capital Plan in order to support the construction, acquisition, upgrading and rehabilitation of Alberta’s infrastructure. It is a level of support that is unmatched in Canada. It is very important that we continue to move forward as Alberta reflects on its first 100 years as a province in 2005, and plans for the next century with these budgetary moves. I know these spending plans will make a positive difference in people’s lives and I am very pleased our government is being progressive in so many vital areas. Further details regarding the Budget 2005 will be forthcoming. If you have any questions about Alberta’s Métis and Aboriginal policies, contact Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development by e-mail at aand.website@gov.ab.ca or call (780) 427-8407. Send letters to:
Speaking Up, Speaking Out By Terry Lusty Métis hunters targeted Wouldn't you know it! Yep, those bleeding hearts are at it again. No sooner do the Métis get some acknowledgement from federal and provincial governments regarding entitlement to certain rights such as those of hunting and gathering, and people from mainstream get up in arms and start flying off at the mouth. They can't stand it when Aboriginals get any kind of special consideration. In protest, they are claiming that new laws favouring Métis hunting rights is a form of discrimination against non-Aboriginals, that such rights will deplete the natural resources, especially wildlife. If anything, it’s the non-Natives who contribute so widely to the decimation and extinction of species. It is they who hunt just for sport and pillage and plunder the resources With no intention of laying a heavy on non-Aboriginal factions, all I have to say is "Give it a rest!" Those nay-sayers and criers are simply trying to make their voices heard while they, themselves, are out there (in the wilds) in force doing their typical trophy hunting thing. Shame on you guys! While Aboriginals continue to ply their traditional means of sustaining themselves and their families, mainstream people stand in the wings waiting to let loose another salvo of criticism in an attempt to divest Aboriginals of what is rightly theirs for the taking. Its high time people understood that, as in days past, most Aboriginals are not out there to deplete or destroy the precious natural resources. Not so for mainstream folks, however. Many are out there continuing to take from Mother Earth, depleting or damaging the resources - plants, animals, fish, the land, air and water resources - that we all so very badly need. When does that stop? How dare people complain and finger-point! All in the name of economics, all for the sake of the almighty dollar, the non-Aboriginal corporate giants are out there as well, by the hundreds of thousands, ripping off the gas and oil, stocks of fish, stands of prime forests, the birds, fish and animals, and now the precious life-giving waters. What next? Many animal forms are already extinct or endangered. The air we breathe is polluted, it's toxic and the situation gets no better. Rather, it continues to get worse with each passing day. So, don't badger and badmouth our Aboriginal people when it is not our Aboriginal brothers and sisters who wreak havoc on this planet. Before blaming those who care and protect the resources, people had best take a hard look in the mirror and place the blame squarely on their own shoulders where it belongs. As “keepers” of the land, we happen to genuinely care for our Mother and refuse to mistreat her; it's time you did, too. Deits Sinclair passes on
Métis Me By Muriel Stanley Venne Courageous Women Since 2005 is the “Year of the Veteran”, I will tell you about two very courageous women, Mary and Verna Cardinal, who joined up when World War II was raging overseas. At home we listened to the reports on the battery radio of the battles, the number of dead and wounded. Families dreaded that the bad news would come to them. Often the battery would run out and we had to wait until we could afford a new battery. No electricity in those days, only coal-oil lamps and later Coleman lamps with mantels that had to be carefully placed and pumped for a bright light. During the War, food was rationed. My family was given a ration book that allowed us to buy a certain amount of sugar, flour and other essentials. The amount allowed went according to the number in the family. When my family heard that both Mary and Verna had come home on leave, we went over to visit them. I was very excited to see the two ladies who dared to go to war and to see them in uniform for the first time. Mary Cardinal's beautiful army photo is prominent on the back cover of Edmonton in Our Own Words written by Linda Goyette to commemorate Edmonton’s 100 years. From Mary's story in the book Our Women in Uniform published by Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women she was asked to comment on her experiences as a young Métis woman who joined the army. She was trained as a cook in Calgary with three hundred other women and billeted at the Lougheed Mansion. Mary's father, William Cardinal, served both in the First World War and in the Second World War. Her brother, James, served as well and died in Italy.
Policy Retreat with Federal Cabinet Faces Potential Election Call Minister Andy Scott announced that on May 31st, the federal Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs will host a Policy Retreat with the leadership of the three constitutionally recognized Aboriginal peoples. This includes the MNC. The MNC has stated that over the last year, Métis leadership, officials and community members, as well as, academics and experts have engaged in a series of productive discussions to identify proposals in the areas of life long learning, housing, negotiations, health, economic opportunities and accountability. A compilation of the Métis Nation's policy papers and proposals for these sectoral areas are available at www.metisnation.ca. Since the ruling of the Powley case, in which the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled in favor of the Métis having Hunting and fishing rights, Federal and Provincial Governments have been investing both time and money to deal with this ruling. The announcement by Minister Scott is yet another commitment by the Federal Government to fulfill Canada’s promise. This is definitely an important opportunity for the Métis Rights agenda, as there is high expectation from the Métis National leadership to conclude a framework Agreement which has been on and off the table with the Feds for years. President Chartier has stated that he remains cautiously optimistic Métis will finally see some concrete action from the Paul Martin Government in addressing the unique needs of Métis in education, housing, economic development and child care. Further, President Chartier also stressed the need to finalize the proposed Canada-Métis Nation Framework Agreement which will be central in defining a new results-based relationship between the Métis Nation and Canada. President Chartier said, "We are at a crucial stage in our relationship with the Government of Canada. Coming out of the Policy Retreat, we expect to conclude our Framework Agreement which has been a topic of discussion for years. The time for talk is over. It is time for concrete results." For further information on the MNC Press Release, visit www.metisnation.ca or contact Trevor Gladue at 1-800-252-7553 (Alberta only) or 780-453-0284 (direct line). Email at tgladue@metis.org.
Métis Financial Matters By Shawna J. Serniak Life Insurance: Why do you Need it? There are many reasons why purchasing life insurance is important. Often it is thought that our beneficiaries will sell our personal belongings to pay off any remaining debt; however, for many reasons this task is hard for our loved ones. A house, a vehicle and personal belongings serve as a reminder of the one who has passed away and therefore, the family wants to keep these items. Also, receiving the price the items are worth might take some time and bills often need to be paid immediately. If your family has to sell your RRSPs, there are tax implications that might make your $10,000 worth of RRSPs look more like $8,000. Life insurance alleviates theses worries that might be placed on your loved ones. Medical expenses, funeral expenses and outstanding bills are less of a worry when insurance is in place and the insurance money that is paid out is tax free. If you do not have life insurance, give me a call. I can give you a free quote on monthly premium prices for your specific age, sex and smoking status. Call now for peace of mind! Shawna J Serniak Tryshaw Financial 1-800-689-0896 or 953-3184 tryshawfinancial@yahoo.ca Métis Interest Métis Local 845 Joins Forces to Serve Community Métis Nation of Alberta Local 845 of Rocky Mountain House and Whiteowl Solutions have opened a new office in Rocky Mountain House on April 19, 2005. The office is located at 4915 -57 st (in the bay on the northside of the Friendship Center. The Local offers assistance with various forms, pictures for Métis Nation of Alberta applications, computer use (within reason) and other services. Whiteowl Solutions offers low-income assistance with income tax, resumes, referrals to various community programs andmany other services. The Local extends an invitation to anyone passing through Rocky Mountain House to stop in Tuesday through Friday for coffee. The executive is Dee Johnston, president, Louis Cardinal, vice-president and Lyle Solland, Warren Fay, Bev Weber, Becky Winchester, directors. The office phone/fax number is 403-844-4628. Region IV Métis Nation Selects Interim Officials By Maryann Stepien On March 19, 2005, Region Four Regional Council of the Métis Nation of
Recently he became the Kikino Northern Lite Dancers fiddler: and to watch this energetic young dance group perform to this young talented fiddler usually gets them standing ovations. Cory competes all year in many talent shows all over Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Cory is a favourite in the fiddling, jigging and singing categories. He was named entertainer of the year two years in a row at the annual Bonnyville Boxing Day Talent Show. Cory is very entertaining to watch and he loves to perform. He plays not only fiddle, but guitar, bass guitar, and drums. Cory performs with his family band called 24 Seven and has recorded a CD with his family in 2003. On April 22 Cory released his first solo CD entitled: "Fiddlin’ Around - "The Métis Way" This project was very exciting to watch come together. He produced and mastered this CD himself in his studio - Métis Sound Productions and also did his own drumming. Cory is a very fast study when it comes to music and plans to further his education with the study of music and the art of recording when he graduates from high school. In the meantime Cory will kept busy performing with upcoming dates in Duncan, and Crestwood British Columbia, and has been invited back with the Kikino Dancers to Nroth West Territories for the 3rd time this year. He is also planning to attend Batoche and there is a tentative date for July 1 in Ottawa. This mixed in with talent shows and special performances thought out the summer. To order your copy of Cory’s C.D. or for a booking, call (780) 645-4962.
The participants were entertained with a short play on the Michif language. Esther Auger, the Michif Project co-ordinator, led the group which included Elders, children and a fiddle player. The theme of the play was based on everyday life around the kitchen table in a typical Métis family. The crowd roared with laughter as quick witted actors teased one another in their own language - Michif. Way to go Esther and team! Bingos Scholarships Congratulations! Announcements We would like to announce the Lloyd New Memorial Quad Poker Rally on May 21, 2005 in Faust. For more information, contact Patsy Campiou at (780) 355-3948 or Bev New at (780) 355-3398. If you have any question, comments, concerns or ideas, please feel free to contact our office any time toll free 1-866-849-4660 or (780) 849-4654. On behalf of Bev New and Regional Council, be well and stay safe!
National Métis News Hunt for Justice Continues: Métis Nation Applauds B.C. Court Ruling Métis National Council President, Clément Chartier, joined with the leadership of the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia (MPCBC), in heralding the R. v. Willison decision of the British Columbia Provincial Court which recognizes and affirms that Métis in British Columbia have the right to harvest for food. The Willison case began back in November 2000 when Greg Willison, a citizen of the Métis Nation, was stopped by a conservation officer outside of Falkland, British Columbia. Mr. Willison had a mule deer and informed the officer he was exercising his Métis right to hunt for food. He produced his MPCBC membership card to the officer. The officer seized the deer and charged Mr. Willison under the British Columbia Wildlife Act.
After a 6 day trial, Mr. Justice Hugh C. Stansfield of the British Columbia Provincial Court found that the Métis community in and around the environs of Falkland has a right to hunt for food that is protected by s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Further, the Judge found that Mr. Willison is a member of that rights-bearing Métis community and was exercising a constitutionally protected right to hunt for food. In his ruling the Judge recognized the legitimacy of the Métis National Council's national definition for citizenship within the Métis Nation and the work of the MPCBC on implementing an objectively verifiable Métis identification system that should be recognized by governments. President Chartier once again called on governments from Ontario westward to respect the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in R. v. Powley and the mounting lower court judgments which recognize and affirm Métis have a constitutionally protected right to harvest for food.
President Chartier said, "The Métis Nation continues to be forced to use the courts in order to ensure governments respect Canada's Constitution. This approach does not uphold the honour of the Crown. Métis remain willing to negotiate. We do not understand why some governments prefer to waste taxpayer's money on costly litigation rather than working collaboratively with Métis governments." The Métis Nation continues to face challenges in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan: · In Ontario, the Métis leadership continue to urge the Government of Ontario to fully honour the Four Point Agreement reached between the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Ministry of Natural Resources back in July 2004;
· In Manitoba, many charges have been laid against Métis harvesters and several court dates have been set throughout that province, including, the case of Will Goodon which is set to be heard in January 2006; · In Saskatchewan, a decision in R. v. Laviolette, a Métis fishing rights case which will deal with the denial of harvesting rights to Métis who live south of the Northern Administration District in that province, is expected to be delivered on July 15, 2005 in Meadow Lake. President Chartier encouraged all governments to follow the lead of the Government of Alberta on respecting Métis rights and working with Métis governments. Last fall, that government signed an Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement (IMHA) with the Métis Nation of Alberta. The IMHA recognizes Métis can harvest for food in Alberta while ensuring conservation and safety. "It is clear that the courts are willing to ensure justice is done even if governments refuse to do their jobs by respecting Métis rights. I urge these remaining provincial governments to initiate good faith negotiations with Métis governments in order to implement the Powley decision rather than continuing to force our hunt for justice in the courts." The Métis National Council represents the Métis Nation within Canada at a national and international level. For more information: Métis Cultural Corner Questions
Sports & Recreation
Source www.abertasource.ca 1. What are some typical Voyager games? 2. What are typical Métis dance activities? Métis Cultural Corner Answers 1. Traditional voyageurs games include a series of events that test the skills that would have been needed by the voyagers. These events include the 540-pound sack carry, 180-pound sack carry, cream can carry, and 300-pound pole carry. The winners of these competitions are determined by the speed and distance the individual completes the task. Added to these activities is the sling shot event and the hatchet throw. Other activities include paddling long distances and completing a series of portages. 2. There are Traditional competition dances, which include the group dances such as the reel of eight, the duck dance, and individual competitions which call for the Métis National Anthem, The Red River Jig.
Joke of the Month Two Métis friends rented a boat to fish and caught 30 fish. "Mark this spot so that we can come back here again tomorrow," said one friend to the other. The next day on their way to rent a boat, the friend said to the other, "Did you mark that spot?" The reply, "Yeah, I put a big 'X' on the bottom of the boat." "You stupid fool! What if we don't get that same boat today!?!?"
Recipe Bread Pudding By Adrienne Dawe ½ loaf dry bread 4 oz sugar Soak bread in milk for a while, squeeze out bread and mix with rest of ingredients. Put in shallow greased pan and bake at about 200 C for 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
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