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AUGUST 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 Let us take care of the children, for they have a long way to go. Let us take care of the elders, for they have come a long way. Let us take care of those inbetween, for they are doing the work. ~ African Prayer ~ Contents:
1. Events
2. Education/Employment
3. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development
4. Speaking Up, Speaking Out
5. Metis 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 Métis Nation of Alberta Notice of General Election, 2005 Notice is hereby given that a GENERAL ELECTION of all Elected Officers of the Métis Nation of Alberta Provincial Council will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2005. This includes the offices of President, Vice-President, six (6) Regional Presidents, and six (6) Regional Vice-Presidents. An Advance Poll will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2005. Voting will be by secret ballot in the elector’s polling subdivision. Polling Station locations will be posted in the communities, regional offices, and at the Provincial Office. Polling hours on Election Day and the Advance Poll will be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To be an eligible elector, each member must be properly registered with the Métis Nation of Alberta. Please Note: There will be no vouching at the election. Application for membership is made at the Electors respective Regional Council Office or Provincial Head Office. Following are the Official Dates for the Métis Nation of Alberta General Election: Posting of Notice of Poll and Candidates: Sun, August 14, 2005 Posting of List of Electors: Sun, August 14, 2005 Advance Poll: Sat, August 27, 2005 Election: Tues, September 6, 2005 For further information, contact your Regional Council Office, Provincial Head Office, or the Chief Electoral Office. Official Notice Contact Information MNA Sector/Department Workshops 1:00 pm Youth Conference 7:30 pm Youth Concert in the Park "Shut Up" Storytelling Contest (1st, 2nd, 3rd prize) 8:30 pm Métis Country Music Hotel Accomodation: Campground: Peace River Lion's Club Park Métis Crossing as Alberta’s Premiere Centre for Métis Cultural Interpretation Over 70 voyageurs including Elders, historians, youth, dignitaries, friends and community members will paddle the North Saskatchewan and journey to Métis Crossing. The first leg of the trek will be marked on the evening on August 24 with a camp out at the Fort Saskatchewan Museum. This evening will also include a community BBQ and entertainment by the Alberta Mounted Historic Troop, hosted in part by the City of Fort Saskatchewan. The public will also be welcome to join in and visit with the voyageurs for the time-honoured tradition of story telling. It is expected that along with the Elders and historians, other voyageurs will be eager to share their personal experiences as a Métis Voyageur. On August 25 the Voyageurs will continue along the “Métis Highway” as they listen to stories of Alberta’s past told by our Métis Elders and historians. Upon completing a full day of canoeing, the group will set up camp and experience the true spirit of the Métis voyageur lifestyle, as they cook over an open fire, enjoy fiddle and guitar playing in the great outdoors, and sleep under the stars in a trapper’s tent. The next morning nears the end of the river voyage and the beginning of a National Métis Celebration at Métis Crossing. The voyageurs will complete the last bit of paddling and arrive at Métis Crossing where they will be greeted by approximately 2000 people from across Alberta and all of Canada. In addition, a traditional wagon trek initiated in Manitoba and travelling through Saskatchewan will join to launch Métis Crossing into the forefront of Alberta’s Aboriginal tourism industry as Canada’s first major Métis cultural centre. This gathering will fill the river valley with Métis spirit and music. The day promises interactive activities and entertainment – both traditional and contemporary. These will include jigging lessons, sash weaving, voyageur games, bannock making and much more. An open stage of Métis performers will complete an occasion, which no one will soon forget. Métis Crossing Centennial Voyage Schedule of Events August 24, 2005 9:00 am Send off for voyageurs and greetings by dignitaries August 25, 2005 Voyage continues August 26, 2005 9:30 am Voyageurs depart from traditional camp Métis Crossing Centennial Voyage Celebration Schedule 11:00 am Gates open at Métis Crossing AUGUST 1 - 6, 2005 AUGUST 8 - 14, 2005 AUGUST 11 - 14, 2005 AUGUST 16 - 19, 2005 Conklin Annaul Telent Show & Dance 1:00 p.m. Music byJess Lee Band Contact Peggy Beaudry at (780)559-8900 or Wendy Tremblay at(780) 559-2235 AUGUST 24 - 26, 2005 SEPTEMBER 15 - 17, 2005 OCTOBER 24 - 24, 2005 NOVEMBER 25 - 27, 2005 Education / Employment Sick of Earning Poor Wages? Join the growing league of Métis women who are choosing trades as a way out of deadend jobs! Women Building Futures is conducting information sessions on their innovative program Journeywoman Start which helps women prepare for apprenticeships in the trades. Upcoming August sessions: Wednesday 10th at 2pm Information Sessions are held at Women Building Futures 11219 Jasper Avenue (the entrance to our facility is in the back alley just south of Jasper Avenue, between 112th and 113th street). Call 452-1200 for more information or visit our website at http://www.womenbuildingfutures.com Our next course begins in late Fall 2005. Admission will be given to those chidlren who have turned three years of age this past March of 2005 and up to five years of age. The child must be fully toilet trained and not wearing pull-ups.
SITE LOCATION: #101, 1603 – 10 AVENUE SW, CALGARY, AB T3C 0J7 FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 403-204-0083 (FUNDED BY: HEALTH CANADA – ABORIGINAL HEADSTART INITIATIVE)
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development By Honourable Pearl Calahasen, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Walk of Honour A tribute to those who have paved the way in Aboriginal filmmaking has been unveiled in Edmonton. The Aboriginal Walk of Honour - "Neka'new'ak" - is a legacy of the Aboriginal peoples who have made a difference in our cultural mosaic. It is a project of the Dreamspeakers Society. Murray Jurak, president of the Dreamspeakers Festival recently said in the media that the concrete path will feature the handprints of inductees, including the five honoured in 2005. “We’re so excited about this because it’s the first of its kind for our Aboriginal people,” he said. “Some people mistakenly call it the Walk of Fame, but the specific title we chose is important to us because it’s based on a Cree word that pays tribute to those that have paved the way so to speak, those who traverse the path ahead of us or break trail.” He said that while the Walk of Honour does not yet have a permanent site, the Society is working with the municipal government to find the perfect location. “We’re working with the city to secure a permanent site,” Jurak said. “For now our temporary home is right downtown near City Hall, but we’re working to ensure that our permanent home stays firmly within the city centre. We’re not going to be pushed out somewhere where no one is going to be seeing it. “This is something that will continue to grow along with the festival that will attract people beyond the festival and become a tourist attraction as well. Because, in the end, it’s an acknowledgment of something that is bigger than (the annual film festival).” The first five inductees are: Montreal-born actor August Schellenberg; producer/director Wil Campbell; Saskatchewan actor Gordon Tootoosis; Alberta actor Jimmy Herman; and producer/director/playwright Willie Dunn of New Brunswick. The annual Dreamspeakers Film Festival is a high-profile event with a reputation as one of Canada’s most prestigious Aboriginal film festivals. The Film Festival has spawned Aboriginal culture, inspiring a generation of Aboriginal people and helping to bring Aboriginal talent into the mainstream. 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: Hon. Pearl Calahasen
Speaking Up, Speaking Out By Terry Lusty Summertime is always a period when so much happens out in the Metis communities. There are the festivals, Back to Batoche Days in Sask., Hivernant Days at Big Valley, Aboriginal Awareness Week all over Alberta and Canada, Lac St. Anne Pilgrimage, the Metis Association of Alberta annual assemblies, the Friendship Centres talent shows and dances, Edmonton’s Metis Fest, and more. In its heyday, Metis culture and pride was front and centre; no question about it. People knew who and what they were and had every reason to hold their heads high. They were a fun-lovin’ people who celebrated life every day that they lived. Sadly, dark times entered the picture every now and then, times like 1816 and the Battle of Seven Oaks, 1849 with the trial of Gualliume Sayer for free-trading, the 1851 Battle at Grande Couteau versus the Sioux, the 1869-70 occupation of Fort Garry by Riel, the 1885 Northwest Resistance at Batoche and the hungry depression years of the 1930s followed by World War 11 and its subsequent “quiet period” of the latter 1940s and 50s. Still, the Metis persevered and continued their traditions including their language, music, songs, dances and celebrations. During the twentieth century, there were those who helped keep the arts alive in the community. There was the dance troupe that the former Metis Association president, Joe Dion, belonged to. There were the classic orators and poets, people like the late Adrian Hope from the Kikino Metis Settlement. In the past half-century there were others who contributed to the retention and transmission of Metis culture through the arts, people like actress Tantoo Cardinal and actor August Schellenberg, writers Maria Campbell and Howard Adams, film makers Wil Campbell, Gil Cardinal and Greg Coyes, singer Laura Vinson, reporters Laurent Roy, Jane Woodward and Bill Lafferty, dance instructors such as Georgina Donald and the late Rita Norris, emcees and comedians like Joe Blyan and the late Harry Daniels. Without meaning too miss anyone’s name, these are but a few of the many who contributed to extending and keeping alive Metis culture and traditions. One really could go on and on and not miss a beat but space does not provide. “Be that as it may,” as Mr. Hope would often say, the point I’m making is that, thanks to individuals like these, among others, Metis culture is, indeed, alive and well. Some day it would be nice to see these people recognized/honoured in some way. Many of them continue to soldier on and will do so until they’re six feet under. Respect and acknowledge them while they are yet with us. And, let us all encourage many more to follow in their footsteps. How about scholarships or awards for these and the many, many more out there that do their part in the scheme of things? Hey, we thank you all.
Métis Me Assembly Memories With the Métis Nation of Alberta’s Annual Assembly to be held in Peace River from August 12 - 14 soon upon us, I hearken back to many, many assemblies. The excitement of these gatherings meant so much to all of us. People came from all over the province, especially from the Settlements dressed in their very best. Many people brought their tents and camped near the arena where the assembly took place. Big Joe Cardinal in his big cowboy hat used to be at every assembly. When I arrived, I would always shake hands with everyone. When I came to shake hands with Big Joe I asked him if he remembered me. He was quite taken a back. He said, “Yes, I remember you,” pulled out his wallet and showed me a clipping of me from a Native newspaper. The assemblies were usually held in an ice arena. I am often reminded of memories of a High Prairie Arena when Stan Daniels swept up the arena with a big push broom. No one else but I was up that early in the morning as I helped push those big brooms across that huge space. Many people to this day believe that I am Stan Daniels daughter and recently someone said to me "It wouldn’t be an assembly if you weren’t there, Muriel". In those days I worked at the Métis Association as the head of Job Opportunities and Placement. During the first year I was the only person in this newly formed department and therefore gave a report to the Assembly. I reported that the Métis Association was able to get forty-one jobs for Métis people. Later on, Native Outreach, a Native Employment Agency was formed which proved to be very successful especially during the boom times of the building of Syncrude. Another memory of a High Prairie Assembly was when June Stifle, later known as Maria Campbell, ran for President of the Métis Association of Alberta. She ran because she wanted it known that a woman could hold the position of President. She showed tremendous courage in those days. I will always remember an assembly held in St. Albert when JoAnn Daniels sand "O My Métis" and her political opponent objected saying this was out of order. But Chairman Yvon Dumont allowed her to sing saying "that Métis were singing throughout the Métis lands". I wonder what memories this assembly will hold for me. See you in Peace River.
Working with You Hello Friends, I would like to invite you to the 77th Annual General Assembly of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA). This year’s AGM is being hosted in Peace River, Alberta August 12-14th, 2005. To accomplish this, we must continue to build on our strengths and pursue excellence in our Métis governance systems, by further developing our capacity, and maintaining and expanding our infrastructure at all levels. For more information on the AGM contact the region 6 office at 1-780-624-4219.
Métis Financial Matters Why is Critical Illness Insurance Important to You? U.S. Stats for 1905! The five leading causes of death in the U.S. in 1905 were: Heart Disease Cancer Stroke Multiple Sclerosis 1 out of 10 Canadians exercise regularly The average person spends $10.00 a day on items such as going out for lunch, coffee, newspaper or magazines, junk food, cigarettes, pop, etc. Shawna J Serniak Labout Market Development Unit (LMDU) Elder’s Advisory Committee Scholarships New Finance Director Membership Information All Native Relay Race FASD Coordinator Elections Economic Development Officer Business Development Officer Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc. Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc. provides loans to the Métis people who have a feasible business idea, and would like to pursue that idea into a reality. There are guidelines for eligibility and I would be happy to discuss this and your business ideas in further detail. I will be available to speak to you during the Métis Assembly from August 11 to 14, 2005, in Peace River. I would be delighted to spend some time with any Métis individuals from Regions 5 & 6 that might have a business idea. Our leadership wants to ensure that Métis people have fair and encouraging entrepreneurship opportunities to take advantage of Alberta’s economy. Apeetogosan Development Inc. is one of the vehicles to use to make your dreams come true. Aboriginal Business Canada is also available to assist, and meet needs of the youth (18 yrs to 35 yrs) in starting a business, for further information please contact me directly. At one of the above mentioned numbers. On Behalf of Region V Council, our Vice President Mr. Peter Campion and our Region V President, Ms. Bev New, we would like to thank all members for all their support and assistance in keeping our Region strong as we continue to work in collaboration. Turn Off the TV and Pick Up a Book Wild Ride Jacqueline Guest is a Métis author, living in a log cabin nestled in the Rocky Mountain foothills in Alberta, Canada. In this peaceful setting, she lives happily with her husband, dogs and word processor. For more information on Jacqueline's newest book or her other books email her at writer@jacquelineguest.com or visit her website www.jacquelineguest.com . 2005 Grouard Spring Programs Well Attended Historical Village Expands Village Building Collection
National Métis News Another Win for Metis Rights! SASKATCHEWAN COURT AFFIRMS MÉTIS RIGHT TO HARVEST REJECTS SASKATCHEWAN’S NARROW INTERPRETATION OF MÉTIS RIGHTS Yet another provincial Court has affirmed that Métis have constitutionally protected harvesting rights that must be recognized and respected by governments. The case, R. v. Laviolette, was handed down on July 15th, 2005 by Judge Earl Kalenith of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan. In his decision, Judge Kalenith found that Mr. Laviolette, a citizen of the Métis Nation living in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, has a Métis right to fish for food. Judge Kalenith acquitted Mr. Laviolette of fishing in a closed season by virtue of s. 13(1) of The Fisheries Regulations of Saskatchewan being inapplicable to him as a Métis rights-bearer. A copy of the decision and a summary is available at www.metisnation.ca. One of the central issues in the Laviolette case was addressing what is a “Métis community”. The Crown took the position that the Métis community equated to a fixed settlement and that harvesting rights were limited to the area immediately surrounding that settlement. The Crown also took the position that Métis harvesting rights were only exercisable in the Northern Administration District (NAD). The essence of the Crown’s argument was that only Métis who were ancestrally connected to a historic Métis settlement within the NAD, and who continued to live in that settlement, could exercise Métis harvesting rights. Mr. Laviolette is ancestrally connected to Green Lake, but lives in Meadow Lake (approximately 55 kilometers southwest of Green Lake and outside the NAD). He was fishing in Green Lake the day he was charged. Judge Kalenith disagreed with the Crown’s limited interpretation of Métis harvesting rights especially when applied to the Métis who he recognized as a “highly mobile people”. The Court found that there has always been a Métis community in Northwest Saskatchewan and that they “moved often and traveled far and wide for food, trapping and work. They moved frequently between the fixed settlements and between the settlements within a given region.” In arriving at his judgment, Judge Kalenith applied the Supreme Court of Canada’s test set out in R. v. Powley. He found that there is a Métis community in Northwest Saskatchewan. He found that there is a Métis right to harvest for food throughout Northwest Saskatchewan and that Ron Laviolette, as a member of the Métis community has a right to exercise his harvesting rights in that area. Another important finding in the decision was the Court’s acknowledgement that even though Mr. Laviolette had not continually resided in Northwest Saskatchewan for his entire life, he was still a rights-bearing member of the Northwest Saskatchewan Métis Community. Mr. Laviolette was born in Northwest Saskatchewan, grew up on the Kikino Métis Settlement in Alberta and lived in various other locations for work. Even though Mr. Laviolette had remained away from Northwest Saskatchewan for periods of time, it did not negate his rights as member of the Northwest Saskatchewan Métis Community. Judge Kalenith also rejected the Crown’s argument that Mr. Laviolette had to prove “something more” (i.e. his ability to jig, sing Métis music, fiddle, etc.) in order to meet the community acceptance test set out in Powley. The Court found, “I am satisfied that Mr. Laviolette’s involvement in hunting and fishing for food show his involvement in Métis cultural activities sufficient to meet the test in Powley.” Mr. Laviolette’s Métis legal team included Clément Chartier, Q.C., Jean Teillet and Jason Madden. Clément Chartier, lead counsel for Mr. Laviolette and President of the Métis National Council stated, “it is hoped that, as a result of this new ruling, Saskatchewan Environment, which is responsible for the current flawed and unconstitutional policy vis-à-vis Métis harvesting, will re-examine its limited interpretations and begin to work with the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan in order to respect this decision and the harvesting rights of all Métis people in the province”. The Métis National Council represents the Métis Nation within Canada at the national and international levels. Métis Cultural Corner Questions Métis Infinity Flags
1. What is the Métis inifity flag's claim to fame? 2. Why is one flag red? 3. Why is one flag blue? 4. Was the Métis Infinity Flag used during the two great resistance movements of 1869-70 and 1885?
Métis Cultural Corner Answers 1. It is the oldest Canadian patriotic flag indigenous to Canada. The Union Jack and the Royal Standard of New France bearing the fleur-de-lis are older, but these flags were first flown in Europe. Métis flag predates Canada's Maple Leaf flag by about 150 years! 2. Conjecture seems to indicate that the Métis created the blue and white infinity flag because these were the colours of the North West Company, the fur trading firm which employed most of the French Michif speaking Métis. The blue Métis infinity flag bears a striking resemblance to the blue and white flag of St. Andrew, the national flag of Scotland. The blue and white colours of the Métis flag are also the traditional colours of French Canada, as seen on the provincial of Quebec. 3. The red Métis flag may have been created by Métis employees of the Hudson's Bay Company. The traditional colours of the fur trade giant were red and white. 4. Neither the blue and white, nor the red and white flag was used by the Métis during the two great resistance movements of 1869-70 and 1885. During this period the Métis used flags which contained French Canadian and Catholic religious symbols. The Métis infinity flag was temporarily forgotten, and remembered only in oral tradition. With the rebirth of Métis pride and consciousness the flag was brought back. Today the flag remains a potent symbol of Métis heritage. Source: Gabriel Dumont Institute
Joke of the Month An evil atheist explorer in the deepest Amazon suddenly finds himself surrounded by a bloodthirsty group of Natives. Upon surveying the situation, he says quietly to himself "Oh God, I'm screwed!!!!!." There is a ray of light from heaven and a voice booms out: "No, you are NOT screwed. Pick up that stone at your feet and hit the chief on the head." So the explorer picks up the stone and hits the chief's head. The chief falls to the ground. As the explorer stands above the chief, breathing heavily and surrounded by 100 Natives with a look of shock on their faces, Gods voice booms out again: "Okay ..... NOW you're screwed."
Recipe Pouchine Au Sac - Pudding in a Bag 1/2 cup of beef suet, chopped fine and free from skin DIRECTIONS: Mix all dry ingredients together and add milk. Pour mixture in a 5 lbs. cotton bag or 2, 1 qt. sealers. Fill jars half full and serve with sauce. Source: The Alberta Metis Historical Society http://collections.ic.gc.ca/albertametis/index.htm
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