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The Métis Nation of Ontario’s Employment & Training Programs are funded by

A Snapshot of Métis Labour Market Development

ISSUE No. 4/ SPRING 2010

FINDINGA MÉTISVOICEp.7IN

SIDE

FATE ANDFAMILY TIESp.4

THE WAKEOF THEANCESTORSp.5

Beyond the Numbers!What follows is a collection of first hand accounts of the struggles and achievementsof Metis clients from across Ontario. This snapshot moves beyond a statistical analysis of performance measures and instead illustrates success through the eyes and words of the real people beyond the numbers....

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The MNO has focused a great deal of attention on theeducational needs of Métis people and removing thebarriers that hinder the full participation of Métis in the

Canadian economy. In 1998, through the Province of Ontario’sStudent Opportunity Trust Fund program, the MNO established

a bursary trust fund at 32 colleges and universities acrossOntario. Bursaries are awarded each year to Métis studentsfrom the interest that accumulates annually. This has been ahighly successful program assisting students in all fields ofstudy as they prepare to enter Canada’s economy.

MÉTIS STUDENT BURSARIES AWARDED

FUELLING A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY:

Métis Scholarship & Student Bursary Program

ALGOMABROCKCARLETONLAKEHEADLAURENTIANOTTAWAQUEENS

RYERSON TRENTTORONTO WESTERN

UNIVERSITIES

ALGONQUINCAMBRIAN CANADORE COLLEGE BOREAL CONESTOGA CONFEDERATION FANSHAWE

GEORGE BROWN GEORGIAN HUMBERLAMBTONLOYALISTMOHAWKNIAGARA

NORTHERNOCADST. CLAIRST. LAWRENCESAULT COLLEGE SHERIDANSIR SANDFORD FLEMING

COLLEGES

MÉTIS STUDENT BURSARIES Are available at these Institutions

2003130

$118,972

2004130

$103,426

2005127

$105,595

2006140

$137,552

2007140

$147,552

2008141

$132,598

2009125

$130,362

TOTALS933

$876,057

YEAR:Number of Awards:

TOTAL $ :

Kevin Lannigan, a proud citizen ofthe Metis Nation of Ontario, wasworking as a heavy machinerymanufacturer for Euclid Hitachi,when he heard of a job opening

within the company. His colleaguesinsisted he didn’t have a chance of land-ing the job as no one had ever been hiredfor the position from within.

With the help of the Metis Nation ofOntario, Kevin was funded $500 tocomplete a course to upgrade his skills.

After passing the course, heapplied for the coveted posi-tion and got the job.

Kevin continued to upgrade his skills,including several training courses at theCanadian Institute for Non-DestructiveExamination (CINDE), paid for by hisemployers. Last year, he advanced to aposition in management.

However, this did not mean thatKevin’s job was safe. When the economicrecession caused the auto industry todeflate, he was informed that any furthertraining he required could no longer befunded by his employers. At the same

time, his wife had been laid off from herjob also in the auto industry, leaving thecouple in an unfortunate financial situa-tion.

With a wife and young daughter tosupport, Kevin decided to contact ElaineJeffery, the Regional Employment andTraining Coordinator for Region 6. WithJeffery’s assistance, Kevin was able tocomplete a training course during hisvacation time and landed a position inthe Bruce Peninsula area. This position,while still in the same field, has proven tobe more challenging, satisfying and alsomore financially rewarding.

Shaking things up ina shaky economyKEVIN LANNIGANHAMILTON • HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

VOYAGES • SPRING 2010 • MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO EDUCATION AND TRAINING

John Ramsay graduated from McGillUniversity’s Law Faculty program in2007, with the help of the Métis Nation

of Ontario Education and Trainingbranch’s Student Bursary program that

allowed him to write his bar exam. Since his graduation, John has

competed for and successfully obtained afull-time position at the CrownAttorney’s office in Ottawa. He attributeshis success to the encouragement of hisfamily, and ongoing support from theMétis Nation of Ontario.

MARIA MACEDOTHUNDER BAY • EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR

3VOYAGES • SPRING 2010 • MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO EDUCATION AND TRAINING

In 2002, Maria Macedo was embark-ing on her postsecondary educa-tion. She had just begun the SocialServices Program at ConfederationCollege in Thunder Bay. Like manyother students, Maria was strug-

gling financially to put herself throughschool. She heard about the MetisNation of Ontario’s Education andTraining programs and services, sheapplied for funding to help her cover thecost of tuition for her first year. She alsoparticipated in the Summer TrainingProgram where she earned a salary andgained valuable work experience. Aftercompleting the Social Services Program,Maria moved from Thunder Bay toOttawa to participate in the EarlyChildhood Education Intensive Program

at Algonquin College.Maria says that she has always been a

child advocate but that her specific train-ing and experience has allowed her tofind a suitable career. She had three workplacements: Dilico Anishinabek FamilyCare Centre in Thunder Bay, the KanataResearch Park Family Centre and theOttawa Inuit Children’s Centre. Throughthese experiences, Maria has learned thatshe loves working with early childhoodlearners. She finds working with youngchildren especially rewarding.

The MNO was instrumental in helpingMaria on her career path. She says, “Inever would have gone back to schooland gotten where I am now without thesupport of MNO.” She hopes other Métisyouth will learn about the programs and

services offered through the Educationand Training branch of the MNO.“Making the decision to go to school wasa major thing in my life. The MNO madeit possible for me.”

When asked what advice she wouldgive to other Métis youth looking foropportunities, she says to trust yourinstincts: “Even if you’re not sure whereyou want to go, go with your instinctsand what you feel is best for you. Younever know where it’s going to take youbut if you listen to your instincts, you willmove in a positive direction.”

As for Maria, she is currently teachingpre-school at the Kanata Research ParkFamily Centre, which is something shehas always wanted to do. Congratulationsto Maria for finding her dream job!

Positive directions

Métis at Law

JOHN RAMSAYOTTAWA • LAWYER

4 VOYAGES • SPRING 2010 • MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO EDUCATION AND TRAINING

When Velvet Johnson began herstudies with the aid of MNOTIfunding, she had no idea thisdecision would eventually leadher to a handful of siblings she

had never met.While working for the Métis Nation of

Ontario, she had seen letters of thankspour in, many saying the funding theyreceived had helped them to achievetheir highest goals. She decided to take aleave of absence from her job to go backto school, where she enrolled in a one-year Aboriginal Studies program. Velvetgraduated with honours, her nameappearing on the dean’s list both semes-ters and was graded second highest inher department. A year later, she wasasked to fill a position in the programteaching a course about genealogy. Thismarks her third year as the Introductionto Genealogy instructor.

Having learned the far reaches ofgenealogy through her studies andteaching, Velvet decided she would tryto find out more about her father’sfamily. She made an online posting,

knowing only her father’s full name andher paternal grandmother’s name.

A few weeks later, she received an e-mail from a woman who had typed herpaternal grandmother’s name into asearch engine; Velvet’s posting was at

the top of her results. The two corre-sponded before meeting for the firsttime. Velvet reconnected with her fatherand found out she had several siblingsshe had no knowledge of. With herfather’s help, she researched the familyto find she was related to the MNOPresident at the time. In months tofollow, she would also meet one of herfather’s sisters, all seven of her siblings

and many close cousins.“It was fate. What are the chances that

[my sister Michelle] would happen totype in her grandmother’s name andfind me?” Velvet said.

Through the same posting, she alsomet her younger sister, Natasha Rodgers,who has since embraced her Métisheritage and is receiving MNO fundingfor her studies in Aboriginal Education.

“It’s a fantastic service,” Velvet said.“If it weren’t for MNO Education andTraining, I never would have gone backto school and researched my family andfound my sister who has also benefitedfrom it.”

MÉTIS WAGE SUBSIDY The Métis Nation of Ontario Educationand Training branch’s Métis WageSubsidy assists clients who are havingdifficulties accessing employment dueto lack of recent work experience orshortage of work. A subsidy isprovided to the employer in order toprovide on the job work experience.

“IF IT WEREN’T FORMNO, I NEVER WOULDHAVE GONE BACK TO SCHOOL,

RESEARCHED MY FAMILYAND FOUND MY SISTER...”

VELVET JOHNSONOTTAWA • PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Fate and family ties

5VOYAGES • SPRING 2010 • MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO EDUCATION AND TRAINING

As his Métis ancestors once did, Marcel Labelle isusing the tools and skills given to him by nature toprovide for himself and his family. After a visionsent him on a soul-searching journey to the RockyMountains, Marcel turned what began as a hobby

into a prosperous career.Marcel lives in Arthur but remains connected to his

Métis roots in Mattawa where he still has a trap line. In2007, he was the recipient of the MNO’s Education andTraining branch’s Métis Cultural Economic Development(MCED) grant. Marcel used this funding to build a tradi-tional birch bark canoe with the tools and technologyavailable to Aboriginals prior to European contact. He hasalso received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council aspart of their Aboriginal Arts Projects program.

Since receiving his grant and building his first full-sized birch bark canoe, Marcel has been asked to speak infront of universities, colleges and other groups acrossOntario. Marcel has also taught a course at TrentUniversity in Peterborough.

Marcel has shared his craft at Toronto’s CanadianAboriginal Festival, made appearances on CityTV’sBreakfast Television and APTN’s Fish out of Water.

Marcel’s canoe-crafting has even gained him interna-tional recognition. Marcel spoke in February 2010 at theSmithsonian Institute. His presentation explores howcanoes helped to improve the fur trade on the HudsonRiver. Marcel will discuss the difference between thebirch bark canoes built by Aboriginal people and themodels built by European settlers.

Currently, he is building a canoe that will be donatedto the Niagara Region Métis Council upon completion.

Paddling in the wake of his ancestors

For more, visit Marcel’s websiteat www.birchbarkcanoes.ca

MARCEL LABELLEMATTAWA • CANOE-MAKER

Growing up, Natasha Rodgers heardwhispers of her Métis backgroundbut only began to research it inher late teens after the passing ofher mother. She wanted to recon-

nect with her father, who had beenabsent during her childhood, but endedup with this and much more – a sistershe didn’t know she had and a newfoundrich family history.

In her search for her father, PeterJohnson, Natasha stumbled upon abiological sister whom she had nevermet, and together they discovered theirpaternal Métis heritage.

This opened up a whole new world ofopportunities for Natasha, who contin-ues to research the Métis history on bothsides of her family and hopes to use thisknowledge in her career as a teacher.

“I feel as though I have a better under-standing of where other Aboriginal chil-

dren are coming from and the difficultiesthat may be present in their home lifeand at school,” said Natasha. “This willmake me a stronger person and amore advanced teacher.”

Natahsa, who taught at HillcrestPublic in Mississauga last semester and isnow teaching at Holly MeadowsElementray in Barrie, feels honoured tobe a representative of Métis culture andhistory by providing her colleagues and

students with “a better insight into thesocietal and educational issues andconcerns evolving around Metis, FirstNations and Inuit peoples.”

With a distinct heritage of her own,Natasha is a living example of the multi-faceted history each person has andshould be proud of. “We as teachersneed to understand and acknowledgediversity issues so that we can betterserve and educate all students we teach.”

MÉTIS STUDENT BURSARY:In 1998, the Métis Nation of Ontarioestablished a bursary program, to assistMétis students in their pursuit of post-secondary education. The initial invest-ments were matched by the Provinceof Ontario’s Student Opportunity TrustFund program.

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Re-discovered history

Natasha Rodgers (left) with hermentor teacher Mrs. Urquhartin the Grade 4 class at HillcrestPublic School in Barrie, Ontario.

NATASHA RODGERSBARRIE • ELEMENTARY TEACHER

“WE AS TEACHERS NEEDTO UNDERSTAND ANDACKNOWLEDGE DIVER-SITY ISSUES SO THAT WECAN BETTER SERVE ANDEDUCATE ALL STUDENTS

WE TEACH.”

VOYAGES • SPRING 2010 • MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO EDUCATION AND TRAINING

TINA ROYSUDBURY • MUSICIAN

7VOYAGES • SPRING 2010 • MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Alison Powell received funding from a Métis Nationof Ontario Education and Training branch in herfinal year studying the Aboriginal TeacherEducation Program (ATEP) at Queen’s University.

The Aboriginal Teacher Education Program educatesstudents on situations surrounding Aboriginal learners.The curriculum revisits Aboriginal history to considerthe challenges and celebrate the achievements made byAboriginals in the education system. It also considersthe struggles that still need to be overcome. Alisondescribes the program as open, supportive and safe,adding that it has empowered her as a teacher and as aMétis woman.

During her program, she was given the remarkableopportunity of traveling to a city called La Ceiba inHonduras. There she completed her alternativepracticum, working with grade one students who wereESL (English as a Second Language) learners.

Alison thanks Region 1 Employment and TrainingCoordinator Dana O’Donnell and the Northwest MétisCouncil for their help and hard work, saying, “I would-n’t have been able to achieve any of this without [their]support and encouragement.”

Alison is currently employed as a sixth grade teacherat Sacred Heart School in Sioux Lookout.

Alison Powell at Queen’sUniversity’s Annual Powwow.

ALISON POWELLSIOUX LOOKOUT • TEACHER

Tina Roy always wanted to be a musician andwhen she was unable to find work in her field,she applied for a Métis Cultural EducationDevelopment program grant. After recordingher first full-length album with financial help

and support from the Métis Nation of Ontario, she feltlike her dreams were just beginning to come true.

Tina was struggling to find a job while alsoperforming at local bars, coffee shops, and schools. “Icouldn’t find work so I decided to make my ownwork,” said Tina. She had heard about funding avail-able to Métis youth and contacted local Employment& Training Officer Pam Jones to find out more.

Upon receiving her grant Tina purchased theequipment she would need to record the album andbegan the process immediately. Most of the work onthe album took place between January and April,months she spent traveling and recording wheninspired. “It was great to be able to bring my equip-ment on the road with me and record on my owntime,” said Tina, who recorded in such cities asSt. Catharines, Whitefish, Sudbury and her hometownof Warren.

The album was completed and released in Apriland can be purchased at the 20-year-old musician’sshows. Apart from local performances, Tina hasplayed several venues in Southern Ontario includingthe Northern Lights Festival in Sudbury.

In addition to her performances, Tina also hostsand coordinates song writing workshops, live soundtutorials and teaches guitar lessons.

Métis singerfinds a voice

Educating aMétis educator

“ I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE ANY OF THIS WITHOUTTHE MNO’S EDUCATION AND

TRAINING BRANCH SUPPORT ANDENCOURAGEMENT.”

Contact:Tel: 613-798-1488 Tel: 1-800-263-4889 (toll free)training@metisnation.orgwww.metisnation.org

The MNO currently operates 9 regionalemployment and training offices thatprovide community-based, client-focused,programs and services across the entireProvince.These locations also provideemployers with a direct link to the Métisworkforce across Ontario.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

• Career counselling • Skills development• Pre-employment supports• Resume assistance

• Employment readiness training• Essential skills assessments• Training & mentoring• Life long learning

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING PROGRAMSWage Subsidy:A subsidy for employers toprovide on the job training

Summer Career PlacementA wage subsidy program forMétis students seekingsummer jobs

Bursary Program:Financial assistance for Métis students

Culture-basedDevelopment Grant:Supports arts and culturerelated careers and initiatives

Employability Program:Provides skills required toenter the job market

Mobility Assistance: Helps individuals secureemployment outside their residence

Training Purchases:Funding for clients whorequire special training

Youth Programs:Assists Métis youth throughinternships, on the job training& other youth projects.

Self-Employment:Supports the entrepreneurialspirit of Métis people.

Training Strategies: Development of labourmarket strategies for Métis communities.

Apprenticeship Support:Increases number of Métispeople in skilled trades

Disabilities Support:Assistance for persons withdisabilities in employment andeducation pursuits

Job Creation Partnership:Employment that provides benefit to clients, community and/or local economy

“It’s never too late to be happy…”

Iam a 37 year-old mother of 3 children andwith careful consideration, organization,funding, and support from Métis Nation ofOntario I was able to go back to school fulltime for two years and become a Registered

Practical Nurse.In 2002, I took a course at Career Canada

College and became a Lab Technician but wasunsuccessful in finding a fulltime job in thefield. I settled to work in the Lab at CHEO(Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) formany years as a clerk but grew unhappier as theyears passed. Although my job was fulfilling inmany areas, I missed the people contact.

In 2007 I was laid off work and my wholeworld flipped around. At the time it seemed like the worst thingthat could have happened to me and my family but once Icontacted the Métis Nation of Ontario, they reassured me and

gave me hope again. They helped me focus onupgrading my education by pursuing mydreams of becoming a Practical Nurse.

It was enjoyable and a lot of fun, but chal-lenging at the same time. It required all of mytime and a lot of support and patience from myfamily but I thrived in it. I made new friendsand got a lot of hands on experience in mypracticums at different hospitals (surgery,rehabilitation, mental health unit, etc.).

In June of 2009, I graduated and was offereda job as a Practical Nurse in the Mental HealthUnit a week after my graduation! I’m alsoworking as a Lab Technician part time in thesame hospital. No need to worry about findingwork in this field!

I’m amazed at the positive transformationin my life both for me and my children sincemy career change. This field is very rewarding

and I encourage anyone who thinks they would like this kind ofwork to give it a shot. It’s never too late to go back to schooland with the Métis Nation behind you, you are sure to succeed!

“IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GO BACKTO SCHOOL ANDWITH THE MÉTIS

NATION BEHIND YOU,YOU ARE SURE TO SUCCEED!”

RENEE BELISLEOTTAWA • LAB TECHNICIAN