MÉTISVOYAGEUR SSUE O - Métis Nation of Ontario Claus isn’t coming to town; he’s already here and he’s Métis. In private life his name is Raymond Tremblay, but in the Christmas

MANITOBAMÉTISGovernment of Manitobasigns harvesting rightsagreement with MMF

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SENATORSCOFIELDWWII Veteran, MétisSenator Dies at 87

LEST WEFORGETMétis veterans participatein Remembrance DayCeremonies

A VIBRANTCULTURE Métis CommunityFestivals across provincecelebrate our heritage

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MÉTISVOYAGEURISSUE NO. 73, MIDWINTER 2012

Fulfilling Riel’s DreamEvery year, Métis from across the

Homeland, honour the anniversary ofthe unjust execution of Louis Riel onNovember 16, 1885, by holding Louis Riel

Day events. Although Louis Riel Daycommemorates one of the great tragediesof Canadian history, it is also a day tocelebrate Métis culture and the continuing

progress the Métis people are making infulfilling Louis Riel’s dream of the Métistaking their rightful place withinConfederation. More on pages 12-14.

The Todmorden Colour Guard leads amarch from the steps of the LegislativeBuilding at Queen’s Park to theNorthwest Rebellion Monument on LouisRiel Day, November 16th.

2 MÉTISVOYAGEURMidwinter 2012, Issue no. 73

AROUND THE MNO

Produced by the Métis Nation of Ontario

Communications Branch

Sam BaynhamMike FedykLinda Lord

Marc St. Germain

contributorsAnne Trudel

Barbaranne WrightChris Paci

Donn FowlerMike Fedyk

Raymond TremblayRichard CuddySam Baynham

To submit stories and pictures contact:

Métis VoyageurMétis Nation of Ontario

500 Old St. Patrick St., Unit DOttawa, ON K1N 9G4

E-mail: [email protected]: 1-800-263-4889

Fax: 613-722-4225

The next Voyageur deadline:Janaury 14, 2013

PUBLICATION #:PM 40025265

THE

MÉTISVOYAGEUR

LATE FALL 2012, NO. 73

Shirley L. Corriveau(née Dumont)

1948-2012

CONGRATULATIONS COMMUNITY OUTREACH

OBITUARY

Valerie-Rose Jean Gordon gradu-ated June 8th, 2012, from the Uni-versity of Toronto as a pharmacist.She is the daughter of Irene and AllanGordon (Vice-president, MNOGreenstone Métis Council). Born andraised in Geraldton with her brotherScott, Valerie attended B.A. ParkerPublic School and Geraldton Com-posite High School.

“Val”, as everyone calls her, beganworking as a cashier at a corner storeat the age of eleven. She eventuallyowned and managed her own icecream shop for three years beforedeciding upon a degree profession.

Desiring to help her community,Val first considered being a pediatri-cian and attended the University ofWestern Ontario where she studiedhealth and pharmaceutical sciencesfor three years. She was then acceptedat the Leslie Dan School of Pharmacyat the University of Toronto where shestudied for a further four years, andgraduated as a pharmacist.

Valerie’s steadfast perseveranceand determination were rewarded bysuccess and she is grateful to thosewho helped ease the financial bur-den: The Métis Nation of Ontariobursaries; and, Aboriginal Grants forHealth Education from the Govern-ment of Ontario.

Paige Daniel Rivers, born June12, 2012, and weighing in at 6 lbs.poses with her dad, Peter Rivers ofWindsor, ON.

By Ken SimardCaptain of the Hunt, Region 2

To all Métis citizens who missedthe 19th AGA: you have missed

the best one yet. All the activitieswere great. The accommodation,food, meetings, and workshops werethe best.

I want to express my thanks forthe enjoyment and laughter at theKiwanis Community Theatre. It wasa pleasure to see such a good turnoutsharing our pride with performerslike James Kirkham, the MétisDancers, and the Métis Fiddler Quar-tet. The presentation of the Volunteerof the Year Award is always inspiring.

I also want to thank all the organ-izers for their time and hard workputting this AGA together. My familyreally enjoyed it.

Santa Claus isn’t coming totown; he’s already here and he’sMétis. In private life his name

is Raymond Tremblay, but in theChristmas season he becomes Santa’srepresentative in eastern Ontario.You might meet him almost any-where (right top), such as with theMayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, andCindy Smith, Executive Director ofthe Caring and Sharing Exchange, acharity located in Ottawa, with amission to serve all residents whoface economic hardship, regardlessof age, ethnicity, creed or culture.

If you are very, very, good, youmight even see his smiling face onthe Honourable Peter MacKay’sChristmas card (right bottom). TheMNO would like to thank the Hon-ourable Peter MacKay for sharingthis photo with us, and MadeleineAshe, Personal Assistant to PeterMacKay, Minister of NationalDefence for her assistance.

Region 5 By-electionResultsBy Paul DevillersChief Electoral Officer

Paul Devillers, Chief Electoral Offi-cer, has declared Denis Juliette thewinner of the Region 5 By-electionwith 334 votes. Maurice Sarrazinreceived 293 votes.

Denis, Juliette - 334Sarrazin, Maurice - 293

The Métis Nation of Ontario(MNO) would like to join Emeryand Maureen Gervais in congratu-lating their son, Grant Gervais,on his promotion to “Sergeant” forPeel Regional Police.

Grant completed 20 years inthe Canadian Army and was hon-ourably discharged as a WarrantOfficer. After the army, he wasemployed by the Peel RegionalPolice where he now serves.

His mother, father, brotherMurray and sister Leanne, are veryproud of their Métis son andbrother. Congratulations Grant!

Promoted

Proud Dad Métisstudentachieves

A greatMétisgathering

Métis Claus iscoming to town

The family announces withsorrow, her death in Sudbury,

Friday, May 11, 2012 at the age of64 years. Daughter of the lateHector Dumont and thelate Doria (née Dusome)Dumont. Wife of thelate George Cameronand the late Oscar Cor-riveau. Loving motherof Mario Germain (Anita)of Barrie, Diane Malette(Richard) of Hanmer, KarenHykin (Brian) of Chelmsford,Joyce Cameron (Terry Rand) ofWahnapitae and step mother of

Diane Danis (Florian) of Field,Roger Corriveau (Christine) ofWelland and Paulette Turnbull

(Dave) of Ottawa. Dear sisterof Jim Dumont (Diane),

David Dumont (Jeanette),Rita Dumont, StellaDumont (Gilbert) all ofSt-Charles, KennethDumont of Sudbury and

Steve Dumont (Sylvia) ofWarren. Lovingly remem-

bered by 16 grandchildren, 5great grandchildren and manynieces, nephews, extended familyand friends.

This past June, the MétisNation of Ontario (MNO)

Geraldton-Greenstone MétisCouncil was a major sponsor ofthe Confederation CollegeScholarship Golf Tournament.

This very successful event wasto raise funds for bursaries andscholarships to benefit youth inthe Greenstone area. We arealways pleased to take part inthis yearly event.

from left: William “Torch” Gordon, Brian Burgess, Ted Pile andBob Velanoft at the Confederation College Golf Tournament.

Fundraising on thegolf links

HOLIDAY SEASON | MÉTIS SANTA CLAUS BY-ELECTION AGA

On October 25, Métis Nation ofOntario (MNO) President, Gary Lip-inski, and MNO Veterans’ Council

(MNOVC) President, Joseph Paquette, partic-ipated in a ceremony at Rideau Hall inOttawa that recognized the contributions ofAboriginal peoples to the effort to defendCanada during the War of 1812.

During the ceremony, His Excellency,Governor-General David Johnston andPrime Minister Stephen Harper presentedPresidents Lipinski and Paquette with aWar of 1812 commemorative banner and

commemorative medal to acknowledgeMétis contributions during the war. Thesebanners and medals were also presented toFirst Nations’ groups and in other cere-monies to Canadian military units that par-ticipated in the war.

President Lipinski spoke at the cere-mony and described the many contribu-tions of our Métis ancestors. “It is signifi-cant,” explained President Lipinski, “thatMétis contributions during the War of 1812are being recognized along with those ofFirst Nations and other Canadians. Unfor-

tunately, in the past, this has not alwaysbeen the case. I am proud to be here todayto represent my Métis ancestors who foughtfor Canada before there was a Canada.”

“The Métis have a strong tradition ofmilitary service,” pointed out MNOVCPresident Paquette. “Our involvement inthe defense of Canada started in the War of1812, and Métis have served in both WorldWars, the Korean Conflict, in peacekeepingmissions and most recently in Afghanistan.”

∞

3MÉTISVOYAGEURMidwinter 2012, Issue no. 73

POWLEY DAY | SEPTEMBER 19 POWLEY DAY | SEPTEMBER 19

MÉTIS NATION NEWS

Powley2013 AGA in Ottawa

By Gary LipinskiPresident, Métis Nation of Ontario

As many of you are aware, Wednesday, Sep-tember 19, 2012, marked the ninthanniversary of the Supreme Court deci-sion in R. v. Powley. The ground breakingdecision ushered in a whole new era ofMétis rights in Ontario and across the

Métis Homeland. Especially important at thistime of the year are the Métis harvesting rights,which are now recognized by the Province ofOntario through our harvesting agreement.

Take time to reflect on the pride that each ofus feels when we look at what has been accom-plished. Take time to enjoy, participate inorganized events, and be proud to be Métis!

This fall, as you participate in the harvest orin MNO Community Council events celebrat-ing the harvest season I encourage you to take amoment to reflect on how the Powley decisionhas raised the profile of the Métis, and con-tributed to the recognition of our rights as adistinct Aboriginal people within Canada. Theaffirmation of the right to harvest is a compo-nent critical to the already rich fabric thatdefines Métis culture.

It is fair to say that in spite of a tremendousamount of hard work and sacrifice of manyMétis, our pursuit for full recognition of Métisrights continues. There is still much work to bedone with the province and especially with theMinistry of Natural Resources (MNR) in ensur-ing the acceptance of those rights when theyare asserted. We will continue to push forwardon the priority issues that you have raised withyour Captains of the Hunt, your PCMNO rep-resentative or myself. We will continue toreport progress and movement as it occurs.However each of us must do all we can toensure that the collective rights of Métis to har-vest are preserved through responsible manage-ment of the Métis harvest in Ontario. The workahead of us is great and the journey will belong and hard.

During this harvesting season, please take amoment to celebrate your Métis culture andheritage and to remember Steve, Rodney andthe Powley family for their personal sacrificeand commitment to the ongoing struggle forMétis rights.

I encourage you to take a moment to reflecton how the Powley decision has contributed tothe recognition of our rights.

On October 13, the ProvisionalCouncil of the Métis Nation ofOntario (PCMNO) accepted a pro-

posal from the MNO Ottawa Regional andHigh Land Waters Métis Councils thatOttawa serve as the location for the 2013Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) AnnualGeneral Assembly (AGA). The AGA is sched-uled for August 24-26, 2013, and the 2013AGA marks the twentieth anniversary of theMNO, which was formed in 1993. It alsomarks the tenth anniversary of the historicR v Powley Supreme Court of Canada casethat affirmed Métis harvesting rights.

“We are very pleased that the two coun-cils in Region 6 have stepped forward to pro-vide the MNO with this opportunity,” statedMNO President, Gary Lipinski. “Ottawa is abeautiful city with great venues for AGAevents, including several with important tiesto the Métis Nation.” Among the locations ofspecial interest to Métis are the SupremeCourt of Canada building, where the Powleydecision was announced; the stunningMuseum of Civilization in nearby Gatineau,which was designed by Métis architect Dou-glas Cardinal; the Aboriginal Veterans Mon-ument; and, the Ottawa River, which was a

major fur trade route.“Ottawa has a lot to offer,” explained Dan

Gilbeau, President of the MNO Ottawa MétisRegional Council, “and we are excited toinvite all MNO citizens to the national capi-tal. We plan on making sure that the MNO’stwentieth anniversary AGA is an event toremember!”

The MNO has already started work onsecuring venues for meetings and accom-modations and will be making moreannouncements about the AGA in the com-ing months.

∞

Steve Powley at the Supreme Courtof Canada in 2003.

Personal sacrifice andcommitment to the ongoingstruggle for Métis rights

Ottawa Regional & High Land Waters Métis Councils to co-host

Métis contributions duringWar of 1812 recognized

RIDEAU HALL | MÉTIS HISTORY

MNO President Gary Lipinski and MNOVC President Jospeh Paquette accept War of 1812 banner and medal fromPrime Minister Harper and Governor-General Johnston.


Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)President, Gary Lipinski, reactedto the recent announcementthat the Right Honourable Dal-ton McGuinty is steppingdown as Premier of Ontario.

“Premier McGuinty has dedicated 22years of his life to the service of thepeople of Ontario,” stated PresidentLipinski. “On behalf of the MNO Iwant to thank him for that service.”

“I have had the opportunity tomeet with, and work closely with,Premier McGuinty over the last sev-eral years,” explained President Lip-inski, “and the Métis people ofOntario saw significant advancesduring his tenure.”

President Lipinski cited the sign-ing of the MNO-Ontario FrameworkAgreement in 2008 as pivotal inbuilding the positive relationshipbetween Ontario and the Métis. “TheFramework Agreement set the tonefor our work with Ontario underPremier McGuinty and led tonumerous similar agreements withgovernment ministries, agencies andpostsecondary institutions,” saidPresident Lipinski.

“The Premier also played a majorrole in 2010 being declared the “Yearof the Métis”. It was a historic andproud moment for the Métis to be

recognized on the floor of the Legis-lature and this was indicative of therespect the Premier has alwaysshown the Métis.”

In 2009, the McGuinty govern-ment established the “Chair forMétis Studies” at the University ofOttawa and in 2011 it signed an

agreement to provide $30 million offunding over ten years to the MétisVoyageur Development Fund(MVDF). “The kinds of agreementsreached with the Ontario Govern-ment under Premier McGuinty,”stated President Lipinski, “willimprove the lives of Métis people in

Ontario for many years to come.”“We are very grateful for all of

Premier McGuinty’s efforts for theMétis and all Ontario citizens,” con-cluded President Lipinski, “and wishhim well in all his future endeav-ours.”

∞

PCMNOVacancyFilledTom Thompson Jr.selected to serve asRegion 6 PCMNOCouncillor

Region 6 | TomThompson Jr.

On September 24, MétisNation of Ontario (MNO)President, Gary Lipinski,

and MNO Chair, France Picotte, par-ticipated with other members of theJoint Working Group (JWG) on Vio-lence against Aboriginal Women(VAAW) in a meeting in Toronto withthe Honourable Laurel Broten, Min-ister Responsible for Women’sIssues and the Honourable Kath-

leen Wynne, Minister of AboriginalAffairs.

The MNO has been a key playerin advancing the agenda to endVAAW, and has participated in fivesummits as a full signatory to theFramework to End Violence againstAboriginal Women and as an activemember of the JWG on VAAW since itsinception in 2010. The MNO has alsobeen integrating awareness aboutVAAW within the MNO and in par-ticular the Women’s Secretariat ofthe MNO has been heavily involvedin this critical issue.

The meeting was the first oppor-tunity for the JWG--which consistsof ten provincial ministries, the

MNO, the Ontario Federation ofIndian Friendship Centres, theOntario Native Women’s Associa-tion, the Chiefs of Ontario andIndependent First Nations--toreport on its progress. The MNO

commended the Government ofOntario for supporting efforts toreduce the very high rates of vio-lence affecting Métis, First Nationsand Inuit women in Ontario andcalled upon the two lead Ministersto report back to their cabinet col-leagues on progress and ongoingchallenges articulated in the meet-ing. It is expected that the JWG willreconvene on an annual basis.

∞

Left to right: Betty Kennedy, Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA); Dr. Dawn Harvard,ONWA; Sheila McMahon, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC); Sylvia Maracle,OFIFC; the Honourable Laurel Broten, Minster Responsible for Women’s Issues; the HonourableKathleen Wynne, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; Gary Lipinski, MNO President; France Picotte, MNOChair; Grand Chief Harvey Yesno, Chiefs of Ontario; and Doug Wilson, MNO Chief Operating Officer.

left to right: Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Kathleen Wynne; MNO President, Gary Lipinski; MNO Chair,France Picotte; and Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Ending violence againstAboriginal women

MNO thanks Premier McGuintyfor his dedicated service

MNO continuesefforts to reduceviolence againstAboriginal women

ONTARIO | PROVINCIAL RELATIONS

On September 28, 2012,the Provisional Councilof the Métis Nation of

Ontario (PCMNO) announced theresignation of JoAnne Wass asRegion 6 Councillor on the Provi-sional Council of the Métis Nationof Ontario.

The PCMNO followed Section10 of the Métis Nation of Ontario(MNO) Bylaws, which define thesubsequent action to be taken:

If any vacancy occurs thePCMNO may appoint as areplacement, a citizen of theMNO, and that person shallhold office until the nextelection.

Accordingly, the PCMNO alsoannounced that MNO citizens liv-ing in Region 6, interested in hold-ing the position until the next elec-tion should make their intentionsknown to the MNO Chief Operat-ing Officer and provide him withinformation about their qualifica-tions and a statement explainingtheir interest in the position.

Six MNO citizens expressedinterest in the position by the des-ignated deadline.

The information each individ-ual provided was shared with thePCMNO at the meeting held Octo-ber 14, 2012, in Toronto. Votingby secret ballot, the PCMNO electedTom Thompson Jr. to serve asRegion 6 Councillor. Thompsonwas elected with 80% of the vote.For the last several years TomThompson has been the Presidentof the MNO High Land WatersMétis Council.

“The PCMNO selected Tom froma strong field of candidates,” statedMNO President Gary Lipinski,“and we are very pleased there wasso much interest in the position.”He added: “Tom brings manywonderful traits to the PCMNO,including great experience anddedication to the Métis cause. Hewill be an excellent representativefor Region 6 and everyone on thePCMNO is looking forward to work-ing with him.”

Tom’s family is descendedfrom David Thompson,the famous map maker

and fur trader and has alwaysbeen proud of his Métis heritage.Prior to being selected as RegionSix Councillor, Tom was Presi-dent of the Métis Nation ofOntario (MNO) High Land WaterMétis Council. He and his father,Tom Thompson Sr., becameMNO citizens in 2000 andhelped form the MNO SevenRivers (now called the High LandWaters) Métis Council in 2001.Tom is an avid harvester, whohunts moose in the Matachewanand Hillsport areas, traps in thewinter and grows an amazinggarden full of wild berries andvegetables.

For 15 years, Tom has been aMechanical Supervisor responsi-ble for hospital and schoolexpansions in the Kingston andBelleville areas and prior to thathe worked as a plumber in Lon-don, Ontario. Tom now lives inNorthbrook with Karen, his wifeof 14 years. They have four adultchildren and live in a house theybuilt in 1991 on property ownedby Tom’s great-grandfather.

Following the resignation ofJoAnne Wass as PCMNORegion Six Councillor, TomThompson Jr. has beenselected by the PCMNO tocomplete her term.

ABORIGINAL WOMEN PCMNO BIO

Tom Thompson Jr. is thenew PCMNO Councillorfor Region 6.

PCMNO


On September 29, 2012,Métis Nation of Ontario(MNO) President, Gary

Lipinski, offered congratulations tothe Manitoba Métis Federation(MMF) and the Manitoba Govern-ment on the signing of a historicharvesting rights agreement.

“As the home of the SupremeCourt of Canada’s landmark Pow-ley decision on Métis har-vesting rights, the MNOis pleased to see thelegal principles wonin that case on behalfof the entireMétis Nationfinally be imple-mented in Mani-toba. We are alsopleased that the MNO’s existingMétis harvesting agreement withthe Ontario Government now has a

companion within the MétisNation,” said President Lipinski.

Lipinski added: “I commend theMMF’s President, David Chartrand,and Manitoba Métis for reachingthis historic agreement. The MNOknows very well how much timeand effort goes into reaching thesetypes of agreements. This agree-ment is a testament to the strength

and resilience of the Mani-toba Métis community

and their elected lead-ership.”

Similar to theMNO’s harvestingagreement, theMMF-Manitobaagreement relies

on Métis-devel-oped laws for the conduct of Métisharvesting as well as a Métis con-trolled identification system forMétis harvesters. The agreementalso sets out a process for the futurecollaborative research and expan-sion of the area where Métis har-vesting rights are now recognizedin Manitoba.

“This agreement demonstratesthat the time has finally come forgovernments to respect Métis rightsand deal with the democraticallyelected governments of the Métispeople. It also demonstrates thatreal progress and results can beachieved when forward-thinkinggovernments work together,” con-cluded Lipinski.

For more information about the MMF-Manitoba agreement visit:www.mmf.mb.ca

MNO congratulatesManitoba Métis onharvesting rightsagreement

The Government of Manitobahas signed an agreement withthe Manitoba Métis Federa-

tion (MMF) which gives Métis thesame hunting rights as other Aborig-inal people.

The agreement, which wassigned at the MMF’s Annual GeneralAssembly, ends almost a decade ofbad blood between the MMF andthe province and means Métis peo-ple can hunt and fish without aprovincial licence, but only in cer-tain regions of the province for now.

“This is the most advancedrecognition of our inherent harvest-ing rights anywhere in Canada,”Chartrand said Friday. “What’s hap-pening is one of the most far-reach-ing historic advancements in over acentury, since our time as a peoplegoverning ourselves in the west.”

First Nations people have hadthe right to hunt, trap and fish forfood at all seasons of the year since1930. Talks between the provinceand the MMF started in earnest inJune after Chartrand and Conserva-tion Minister Gord Mackintosh metat a Manitoba Wildlife Federationmeeting.

Mackintosh said Friday as longas Métis rights are reasonablyaccommodated under the province’sconservation rules--the ban onmoose hunting in some areas has tobe respected--there’s no reason theMétis and province can’t worktogether.

Chartrand said the ManitobaMétis have been pushing for theirown hunting rights since 2003when the Supreme Court of Canadaruled, in R v Powley, that a group of

Métis in the Sault Ste. Marie, regionof Ontario had a constitutionallyprotected aboriginal right to harvestfood for domestic purposes.

Then-premier Gary Doer latersaid his government respected therights of the Métis as they were out-lined by the Supreme Court.

However, talks between theprovince and the MMF werederailed after Métis hunter WillGoodon was charged with failing tohave a migrating game-bird huntinglicence when he shot a duck nearthe Turtle Mountains and took it toa local conservation officer.

Goodon had a Métis harvestercard, recently issued to him by theMMF to identify Métis peoplethrough a genealogical search, butnot a provincial hunting licence. Aprovincial court judge eventuallythrew out the charge againstGoodon in 2009.

Laws of the Hunt

Chartrand said the Métis huntersand fishers will follow what’s calledthe Métis laws of the hunt, whichput wildlife conservation first.

“Our laws are probably morerestrictive than provincial laws.What we’re doing is making sureour traditional foods that we’vealways enjoyed, and still have thepower to enjoy, are going to be pro-tected for years to come.”

Mackintosh said the deal alsomeans charges of hunting without aprovincial licence against about 30Métis hunters will be stayed by thecourts.

Based on an original story: www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/metis-hunting-rights-recognized-171903271.html

Government of Manitoba signs agreementwith Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF)ending a decade-long struggle for Métisharvesting rights

Métis hunting rights recognized

MÉTIS RIGHTSMIDLAND | ROYAL VISIT

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and Manitoba MétisFederation President David Chartrand sign historic agreement.

This agreementdemonstrates thatthe time has finallycome forgovernments torespect Métis rightsand deal with thedemocraticallyelected governmentsof the Métis people.

MANITOBA | MÉTIS HARVESTING RIGHTS

On September 16, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, anationally significant his-

toric site near Midland, Ontario, wasresplendent in early fall colours andbustling with such activities as cornmeal and maple syrup making,blacksmithing, and birch-bark canoebuilding. La Compagnie Franche re-created the sights and sounds of anearly military unit in New France asTheir Royal Highnesses the Earl andCountess of Wessex, better known asPrince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones, arrived at the site.

The Earl and Countess are theyoungest son and daughter-in-law ofHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II andHis Royal Highness the Duke ofEdinburgh and the first members ofthe British Royal Family to visitSainte-Marie among the Hurons.

Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)citizens were on hand to greet theRoyal Couple and offer gifts thatincluded Métis sashes and “MétisEducation kits”. When presentedwith the Education Kits, the Princejoked, “Oh, you are giving me somehomework.”

The Royal Couple spoke to every-one in the Métis contingent and werevery interested in Métis culture andheritage. Among those attendingwere Provisional Council of theMNO (PCMNO) Region 7 Councillor,Pauline Saulnier; Métis Nation ofOntario Veterans’ Council (MNOVC)Sgt-at-Arms, Greg Garratt; Senator,Dora MacInnis; and, MNO Projectsand Partnerships Manager, ScottCarpenter. Scott and several Métis

youth wore Métis clothing of theperiod.

The couple also learned aboutmoose-hair tufting, a traditional FirstNations’ craft, and lacrosse, Canada’soriginal sport. The pageantry andcolour of singing, drumming, anddancing filled the air as the Red SpiritCircle Drum Group, the ChristianIsland Hand Drum Group, and theKwiikikwe Métis Women’s DrumGroup performed. Beausoleil FirstNation Chief, Roland (Roly) Mon-ague, and President MichaelDuquette of the Georgian Bay MétisCouncil both welcomed the royalguests. The Earl and Countess com-pleted their tour with a visit to thecandle-lit Church of Saint-Joseph.

∞

Based on an article from Simcoe.com: http://goo.gl/lcPY8

MNO citizens greetRoyals near Midland

Danielle Secord presents education kits to Their Royal Highnesses in Midland.


By Barbaranne WrightNiagara Region Métis Council

What a great day for a parade!The streets were packed

with people who were so happy tosee us. Our youngest Métis, HoldenShanks, was with us for the second

year in a row and pleased to smile atcrowds. Waving with both hands,Holden stole the show!

After the parade Niagara RegionMétis Council citizens and volun-teers enjoyed pizza and lightrefreshments at the home of Bar-baranne Wright.

And the Spirit Lives On

Métis on parade

Welland playwright, KayAnnable, and MétisNation of Ontario (MNO)

Niagara Region Métis Council Pres-ident, Stephen Quesnelle, recentlyshared the history of the Métis with,“And the Spirit Lives On”, a lightand sound performance told fromthe perspective of those who lived it.The event took place at a Wellandcemetery the evenings of November2nd and 3rd.

As part of the Welland edition ofthe “Niagara Nights of Art”, those inattendance had a chance to learn andenjoy the history of the Métis in Niag-ara told by the spirits who lived it.

While spectators walked outsideof the cemetery, pre-recorded voicesof modern Niagara Métis told thestory through lighting and visualeffects created by Joe Rodgers ofElechtech.

Five stations were set up at the

cemetery. At four of these the spiritsarose and recounted their Métis his-tory through the magic of light andsound. At the fifth station live per-formers and Métis music courtesy ofchampion fiddler Cassandra Swanand guitarist Natalie Pikula com-pleted the show written by KayAnnable with research supplied byMNO Niagara Region Métis CouncilPresident, Stephen Quesnelle.

“It’s actually looking at the his-tory of the Métis as they were insouthern Ontario,” said Annable,

who viewed writing the script as anopportunity to share a rich and oftenoverlooked history. She felt it was anamazing way to present the storythat would “do the Métis proud.”

“We are called the lost people,”said Quesnelle, who was excited tosee the history of his people shared.That history, he said, was essential tothe exploration and formation ofCanada as a country.

“I want people to realize theyshould be proud,” he said.

MÉTIS ARTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Inspired by a story at www.niagarathisweek.com/what's%20on/article/1524963--a-story-in-sound-in-light

Champion fiddler Cassandra Swan and guitarist Natalie Pikula atthe Welland Cemetery as part of the And the Spirit Lives On. Niagara Region Métis Council Chair, Derrick Pont with Holden

Shanks in the cart; Garth Wright pulling the cart; Women’s Rep.,Barbaranne Wright with the Canadian flag; and Councillor,Amanda Pont-Shanks carrying the Métis flag.

Unique outdoormulti-mediapresentation portraysMétis ancestralspirits telling storiespassed down byMétis elders


MNO COMMUNITY COUNCILS

Vibrant AliveCommunity Festivals across province celebrate our Métis Culture and Heritage

“Community and family are at the centre ofthe Métis Nation,” explained Métis Nationof Ontario (MNO) President, Gary Lipinski,while attending one of the nine Métis Com-munity Festivals organized by the MNOthis summer and fall. “This is why we holdthese events; they keep our culture vibrant andalive while giving us the opportunity to havefun and renew friendships.”

Enthusiastic crowds gathered for theMétis Community Festivals held May 27, nearWindsor; July 11, at the local park in Bancroft;July 14, at Ma-Ta-Way Park near Renfrew; Sep-tember 8, at Aaron Park near Dryden; Sep-tember 15, at the Massey Fair Grounds nearSudbury; September 22, at Silver Lake Parknear Port Dover; September 23, at Talbot Parknear Port McNicoll; September 29, at CampBickell near Iroquois Falls; and, September 30,at Club Richelieu, in Welland. “We felt it wasimportant to hold these festivals as widely aspossible across Ontario,” stated President Lip-inski, “and each festival was located betweenMétis communities. We wanted to make thefestivals accessible to as many of our MNO cit-izens as possible.”

In keeping with Métis spiritual beliefs,MNO Senators provided opening and closingprayers at each festival, setting the proper tone

for the events and reminding all participantsto be thankful.

Traditional Practices

Métis culture and traditions were frontand centre at each festival. MNO Chair, FrancePicotte, for example, taught the basic tech-niques for finger-weaving sashes at the CampBickell event. “A key part of these celebra-tions,” said Chair Picotte, “is passing on thetraditional Métis knowledge to our young peo-ple.” Region 3 Captain of the Hunt, AndyLefebvre, and his harvesting team also dis-played a moose hanging on poles at CampBickell. The moose was shot by JacquesPicotte. Andy was very patient with childrenin attendance as he shared traditional teach-ings on how to prepare the moose for the com-munity freezer. Paul Rondeau also demon-strated working with cedar wood, which isused in the building of birch bark canoes.

Music & Dancing

Music and dancing were big parts of mostof the festivals. The Kwiijikwewag MétisWomen’s Drum Group, the MNO GeorgianBay Métis Council Youth Drummers, Cindy

Thompson’s fiddle students and the CopegogFamily Band provided lively performances atthe Talbot Park Festival, while Senator Johnand Dylinda George fired up the dance floorwith a jigging workshop at the Aaron Parkevent. The Talbot Park Festival was alsoenlivened by Lillian Penner, a young fiddlerwho got everyone’s heels tapping. DaryleGardipy taught dance techniques at the Ma-Ta-Way Park event and Les Amis Qui Dansegroup provided square-dancing instruction atCamp Bickell.

Métis history was not forgotten at thesefestivals either. Club Richelieu, Port Dover andCamp Bickell each featured historical re-cre-ations of Métis encampments and Port Dover’sactivities included the Métis Voyageur Games.These are competitions based on the tradi-tional lifestyle of Métis voyageurs. Hank andScott Rowlinson provided instruction andsupervision and everyone had a great time!Our natural heritage was also celebrated at thefestivals. In Aaron Park, Arlene Williams led anature walk, which enjoyed great participationdespite rain during that particular festival.

Craft making played a big role in severalfestivals. The Kenora Métis Warmth and Well-ness Committee provided a knitting displayand an on-site demonstration at the Aaron Park

event, while Regina Rosignol demonstrated herquilt-making expertise at Camp Bickell. Dot-painting was a popular activity with young andold at most of the festivals and a tie blanketworkshop at the Massey Fairgrounds Festivalattracted participants of all ages.

Something for everyone

Every festival had many activities for thechildren and laughter filled the air, especiallyduring events such as the good old-fashionedthree-legged race at Aaron Park, sack races andfour-person snowshoe races at Club Richelieu.There were also vendors, displays and doorprizes at most of the events. The cooks wonrave reviews for their meals that alwaysincluded traditional Métis fare such as ban-nock, roasted corn, fish-fry, bear, wild turkey,venison, and moose stew.

Each Métis Community Festival was aresounding success. The hard work of MNOCommunity Council volunteers with the assis-tance of MNO staff paid off in enjoyable eventsfor all involved. “Our Métis culture,” statedPresident Lipinski, “is something that we allcan be very proud of, and something that ourfamilies and communities keep alive. It isevents like these that really bring that home!”

1) Youth sack races at the Community Festival in Welland. 2) Barbaranne Wright and Fritz Steele at theCommunity Festival in Port Dover. 3) Quilting at Camp Bickell. 4) Andy Lefebvre shows youth how tofield dress a moose. 5) Cooking bannock over an open fire in Kenora. 6) Métis music in Welland.

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2 4

5 6

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On August 1, 2012, the Historic SaultSte. Marie Traditional Territory Con-sultation Committee travelled to

Chapleau, Ontario, to participate in a meetingwith Tembec’s forestry staff for the Martel For-est.

After introductions, Tembec provided thecommittee with a tour of the Chapleau sawmillcomplex including log unloading, debarkingand slashing decks; sawmill in-feed decks andsaw-lines, including trimmer, edger andstacker operations; and the final process at theplaner mill, where the lumber is dressed andpackaged. The committee took full advantageof the tour and asked numerous questionsduring each stop.

The meeting served as an opportunity tobring both parties to the table and discuss for-est management practices, future planning forthe Martel Forest, the status of the current For-est Management Plan, update on Forest Stew-ardship Council (FSC) certification, and gen-eral information related to forest management.

At the end of the day the focus was onestablishing the next steps. Both parties agreedthat continued communication is an impor-tant factor in developing a long term relation-ship. Tembec and the committee have agreedthat the sharing of the Annual Work Schedule(AWS) will take place after the first submissionto the Ministry of Natural Resources. The com-mittee will be given the opportunity to reviewthe documentation and provide Tembec withcomments that Métis citizens may have con-cerning the AWS.

TEMBEC INFO: Tembec, a global leader in sus-tainable forest management practices, is a man-ufacturer of forest products: lumber, pulp, paperand specialty cellulose.

CONTACT:Alden BartyConsultation CoordinatorMNO Land, Resources and [email protected]

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)Georgian Bay Harvesters Committeewas recently involved in two different

conservation efforts. The first was the plantingof 4,000 trees at the “Millennium Tract” in Sim-coe County Forest near Barrie. The Harvesterswere responsible for the planning of one sec-tion of the planting including over 300 hard-woods, which, when mature, will provide foodfor wildlife in the area. The volunteers thankSteven Richmond for helping out. Steve alsoreceived credit towards his community servicerequirements for high school.

The Harvesters were assisted by GeorgianBay Bassmasters (a fishing club for men andwomen that provides fishing education andinformation, and is involved in youth and con-servation activities in the community) and FirstWye Marsh Scouts; both had excellent mem-ber support. The tree planting was supervised

and supported financially by North SimcoeAnglers and Hunters Conservation Club whoprovided $6,500.00 for the cost of the trees.Hats off to them!

The other conservation effort was the Geor-gian Bay Bassmasters’ fish habitat project. TheGeorgian Bay Bassmasters place fish habitats inthe water to offer small fish a place to hide andgrow. They have been doing this for manyyears. This is the second year that the MNOGeorgian Bay Harvesters Committee has beenincluded in this project. Artificial reefs are usedthroughout the United States and Canada as aproven strategy for improving fish stocks.

This year, the GBMC Harvesters received aletter of appreciation from the Georgian BayBassmasters. “I would like to thank Chris Char-rier for helping and for his efforts on behalf ofthe Harvesters Committee,” said Larry Ferris.

∞

MNO meets withforestery companyHistoric Sault Ste. Marie Traditional TerritoryConsultation Committee meets with Tembec

Forests & riversMNO Georgian Bay Harvesters Committee involved inconservation efforts to help forests and fish population

Left to right: Denis Ayotte, area forester (Tembec); Rob Arnup, (Consultant); AldenBarty, MNO staff; MNO Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Council President, Kim Powley;PCMNO Region 4 Councillor, Ernie Gatien; Eric Bazinet, Sawmill Supervisor (Tembec).

MÉTIS HARVESTERS

DUTY TO CONSULT


Q: What if there is an earthquake thatcauses damage?

A: The Bruce nuclear site lies within the tecton-ically stable interior of the North Americancontinent, an area with low seismic potential.Historic records indicate that in 180 years therehave been no recorded earthquakes of magni-tude greater than 5. A Seismic Hazard Assess-ment of earthquakes ranging to 7.5 magnitudeconcluded that earthquakes will not impact thesafe operation or long-term ability of the DGRto safely isolate and contain low and intermedi-ate level waste.

Q: What about security?

A: Security requirements for the DGR Project,as with any nuclear facility, will be mandatedby the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.The DGR is located on the Bruce nuclear site,which has security measures in place, includingaccess control, a security fence and armed secu-rity personnel.

Q: What if there is a leak that contami-nates the soil and water, affecting plants,animals and human health?

A: The DGR project will manage low and inter-mediate level waste (currently stored safely atsurface) underground at a depth of 680 m in alayer of very low permeability limestone. Thislimestone is overlain by a 200 m thick layer oflow permeability shale. These rock formationsare very old, laterally extensive and at longertimeframes will provide passive barriers to con-tain and isolate the wastes from surface water.The results of the safety assessment studiescompleted to assess the potential for migrationof contaminants from the DGR indicate that thepeak dose from the DGR under the normal evo-lution scenario could be expected in approxi-mately one million years and the dose would besignificantly less than background radiation.The results of the assessment of disruptive sce-narios, such as human intrusion and severeshaft failure, conclude that there is potential forsignificant doses but the peak impact would

apply to someone living directly on top of therepository, and impacts farther afield are muchsmaller. In all cases the potential impactsbecome small on timescales of around 60,000to 100,000 years as a result of radioactivedecay.

Q: Is there sufficient funding for this proj-ect in the long-term?

A: An existing segregated fund, which has beenaccumulating funds as part of electricity rates,will be used to pay the cost of the DGR Project.The segregated fund is close to being fullyfunded.

Q: What monitoring is proposed before,during and after construction?

A: Monitoring is planned before, during andafter construction. An Environmental Assess-ment Follow-up Monitoring Program wasincluded in OPG’s submission to the JointReview Panel. This program outlines monitor-ing proposed to verify the effects predicted inthe environmental assessment and assess theeffectiveness of the mitigation measures, as wellas that associated with regulatory requirements.Monitoring of conventional parameters andradionuclides in air, surface and groundwaterare proposed. For example, monitoring wellshave been established as part of the geosciencesite characterization program and this monitor-ing will continue during construction and oper-ation of the DGR.

Q: What will be the effects of noise andvibrations from blasting (on fish)?

A: Noise levels associated with the DGR Projectduring construction will be similar to thoseassociated with the use of heavy equipment.The majority of the blasting will be belowground surface and will not contribute to thenoise.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Guide-lines state that no explosive may be used thatproduces, or is likely to produce, a peak parti-cle velocity greater than 13mm/s in a spawning

bed during egg incubation. The predicted max-imum ground vibration during shaft sinking ispredicted to be 8.4 mm/s; therefore no effectson fish are expected from blasting.

Q: What impacts will there beon migratory species (birds,fish and animals)?

A: The environmental assessmentconsidered potential effects of theDGR Project on habitat utilization,and vehicle strikes for a number ofwildlife species. No residual effects arepredicted for any migratory species.

Q: The removal of cattails (a traditionalfood of local Métis) means less filtration ofwater. Will this be a problem at the DGRproject site?

A: Construction of the DGR Project will resultin the loss of a small quantity of Eastern WhiteCedar, but will not result in removal of cattails.The majority of the surface drainage system forthe DGR Project will be new ditches separatefrom the existing on-site drainage ditches.

Q: Will the temperature of the rockchange?

A: The low and intermediate level waste givesoff little heat. Geothermal properties of the rockat the repository level will not be impacted.

OPG is proposing to constructand operate a Deep GeologicRepository for the long-termmanagement of low and inter-mediate level nuclear waste.The DGR will be located adja-cent to OPG’s Western WasteManagement Facility (WWMF)at the Bruce nuclear site, inKincardine, Ontario. The DGRfacility would manage about200,000 cubic metres of lowand intermediate level waste.Only low and intermediatelevel waste from OPG-ownedor operated nuclear generat-ing stations in Ontario will beaccepted for storage in theDGR.

Used fuel will not be storedin the DGR. The DGR is pro-posed to be located about680 m (2230 feet) belowground surface in low perme-ability limestone, beneath a200 m (660 feet) thick layer oflow permeability shale. OPGbelieves the Bruce site is ide-ally suited for the DGRbecause of the natural attrib-utes of this rock.

www.opg.com/dgr

What is theDeep GeologicRepository?

Low level waste consists ofindustrial items that havebecome contaminated withlow levels of radioactivity dur-ing routine clean-up and main-tenance activities at nucleargenerating stations. Low levelwaste includes items such asmop heads, cloths, paper tow-els, floor sweepings and pro-tective clothing. Low levelwaste may be processedthrough incineration or com-paction to reduce its volumebefore storage.

Intermediate level wasteconsists primarily of used reac-tor core components and ion-exchange resins and filtersused to purify reactor watersystems. Ninety-five percent ofthe total low and intermediatelevel waste received at theWWMF is low level.

What is low andintermediatelevel waste?

INFORMATION

INFORMATION

As part of the engagement program asso-ciated with Ontario Power Genera-tion’s (OPG) Deep Geologic Repository(DGR) Project for the long-term man-agement of low and intermediate levelradioactive waste at the Bruce nuclearsite, OPG committed to facilitate tours

with MNO representatives. Three informationtours have been arranged to date by MelanieHamilton, MNO’s Nuclear Waste Liaison. Thetours took place in November 2009, November2011 and most recently, on June 7, 2012. Thetour groups consisted of MNO citizens, councilrepresentatives and MNO staff. Altogetherabout 50 Métis participated in the three tours.

The groups toured OPG’s Western WasteManagement Facility (WWMF) and the DGR

project site. All of the participants said theyappreciated the opportunity to see the facilitiesfirsthand. Several comments were made,including seeing for themselves what thenuclear waste is like and how it is currentlymanaged. The community members remarkedthey were surprised with the small amount ofwaste.

An important aspect of the tours was gettinga chance to ask questions and comment on theproject. All comments and questions from tourparticipants were recorded by Melanie Hamil-ton--forming a record of engagement betweenMNO and OPG. Below is a sampling of thetypes of questions asked by participants, andthe answers provided by the DGR representa-tives.

LANDS & RESOURCES

MNO citizens, council representativesand MNO staff tour OPG’s WesternWaste Management Facility (WWMF)and the DGR project site.

Métis Citizens shareconcerns about OPG’sproposed DeepGeologic Repository

For more information on the toursand Deep Geologic RepositoryProject please contact:

Melanie HamiltonNuclear Waste Liaison - MNO Lands,Resources and Consultations Branch380 9th Street EastOwen Sound, ON N4K 1P1Tel: 519 [email protected]

Nuclear Site-seeing


A Métis Veteran Remembers:

Piping for Vimy

By Donn Fowler

The ninth day of April, 1945,was the 28th anniversary ofthe taking of Vimy Ridge in1917, by Canadian soldiers,many of whom were Abo-riginal Canadians—Métisand “Indian”. A militaryorder had come down toour Canadian WWII High-land units from the 9th

Canadian (Highland) Brigade Head-quarters. It was circulated for thepurpose of ordering that certaintrained fighting soldiers were tobecome LOB (left out of battle) andthe centrepiece for a very specialcommemorative ceremonialremembrance parade at the VimyRidge Memorial in France, to takeplace on the 9th of April 1945.

That date happened to be onemonth before the end of WWII onMay 8th, 1945. The parade itselfwas to be a special remembranceceremony of what had taken placein France almost three decades ear-lier, when so many Canadian sol-diers gave so much. That treacher-ous uphill Vimy action had been anextremely arduous victory, espe-cially for Canada. The great victorywas marked, in 1936, by the unveil-ing of the Vimy Memorial con-

structed on land ceded to Canada byFrance for perpetual use to establisha battlefield park and memorial sothat those Canadians who fell inFrance now rested in Canadian soil.

In January and February of1945, some members of all theCanadian Highland Infantry unitsoverseas were still fighting north-ward towards Germany, when sud-denly some of us were ordered “out-of-action”. We were about toexchange our battle-dress for kiltsand reclaim our bagpipes, drums,etc, and get busy practicing as a sin-gle unit of pipers and drummers.We were about to be transportedback to France, (from Holland nowvery near Emden, Germany), for theceremony scheduled for the twenty-eighth anniversary of the taking ofVimy Ridge.

Prior to D-Day, 6 June, 1944, allformer pipers and drummers of theCanadian Highland units had beenrequired to relinquish their kilts andmusical instruments and get intobattle-dress--except for a mere sixpipers who remained musicallyactive within the individual compa-nies of the individual battalions.

Before the recall order, we formerbandsmen were part of the fightinginvasion front in Normandy, France.We had given up our pipes and

drums for action as stretcher-bearers, specialized medicalattendants in the RAP (Regi-mental Aid Posts), vehicledrivers, disspatch riders, orordinary rifle soldiers. Asfighting soldiers some ofthese bandsmen were KIA orDoW (killed in action ordied of wounds).

However, all of the sur-viving pipers and drummerswere suddenly bandsmenagain, and reunited at Vimyas one huge band of Cana-dian pipers and drummers. We hadcome from all over Canada: BritishColumbia (Canadian Scottish Regi-ment) to Nova Scotia, and all thosehighland units in between in theCanadian Army. It was a mass ofpipers and drummers.

Training at the Vimy Memorialwas initially to determine the bestway to present an affective and effec-tive playing of appropriate highlandtunes without confusing the result-ant sound of the intended music.The solution was to divide the totalmassed band into two sections; onesection at each end of the huge mon-ument, both facing down the slopeof the hill. After several unsuccessfulmarching practice runs downhill,each of which became a terrible

cacophony of dissonant sounds,another solution had to be found.Finally, a hair-raising, (in my view)wonderful blending of the entiremassed band sound was attained.The solution was to have only halfof the band play while the other halfat the other end of the monumentheld their pipes and drums asthough playing, but not playinguntil both sections had converged,row by row, at the bottom of the hill.We then counter-marched togetherplaying in unison up toward the

monument at the top of thehill. The unified sound of thepipes and drums was a never-to-be-forgotten musical expe-rience--a real tear-jerker to behonest--of a beautiful remem-brance of our 1914-1918fallen comrades, and of ourfallen 1939-1945 comrades aswell.

Many of the fallen from the1914-1918 units were men ofthe 21st Battalion—who wereburied where they fell at thetime—and many of these

came from Kingston, Ontario, a mil-itary town, and were mobilised fromthe PWOR (Princess of Wales’ OwnRegiment [MG]) of Kingston. Dur-ing WWII, the PWOR also supplieda company of recruits to the 1st Bat-talion, Stormont, Dundas and Glen-garry Highlanders, and these“Glens” became one of the three Bat-talions of the 9th Canadian High-land Brigade, along with the HLIand NNS (Highland Light Infantryof Canada and the North Nova Sco-tia Highlanders).

OUR STORIES

In January 1945, some members of all theCanadian Highland Infantry, including this articles’author Donn Fowler, were fighting north towardsGermany, when they were suddenly ordered outof action and exchanged battle-dress for kilts andreclaimed their bagpipes and drums...

Donald (Donn) Fowler enlisted as a 14 year-old in theCanadian army in June, 1940. As a member of theGlengarry Highlanders he landed in Normandy, Francewith a wave of D-Day reinforcements in 1944.

The 1st CanadianArmy Massed Pipesand Drums at theVimy Memorial.

Pack horses transportingammunition to Canadianfield artillery in 1917.

We had given up our pipes and drums for action as stretcher-bearers, specializedmedical attendants in the RAP (Regimental AidPosts), vehicle drivers,dispatch riders or ordinaryrifle soldiers.


Every year on November 11, Métis from acrossthe Homeland participate in RemembranceDay Ceremonies. Being part of these cere-monies is very important to Métis because wehave contributed to the defense of Canada asfar back as the War of 1812 as well as bothWorld Wars, the Korean Conflict, peacekeep-ing missions and most recently, Afghanistan.

Over the years, many Métis have served and manyhave made the ultimate sacrifice. By making the Métispresence felt at Remembrance Day services, we showour respect for all veterans and we remind all Cana-dians of Métis service and sacrifice.

MNO veterans and citizens participated inRemembrance Day Services all over Ontario this year.These included the national ceremony in Ottawa, theprovincial ceremony in Toronto and the City of Sud-bury service.

Since 2004, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)has laid a wreath at the National Cenotaph in Ottawaduring National Remembrance Day ceremonies. Thewreath is laid each year by MNO Executive SenatorReta Gordon and Métis veteran, Shaun Redmond.Senator Reta and Shaun have performed this impor-tant gesture on behalf of the MNO in good weatherand bad because it is very meaningful on a personallevel for both of them, and because it is important torecognize our many Métis veterans who gave and con-tinue to give so much in securing and sustaining therights and freedoms that we all enjoy.

Shaun enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1971 androse to the rank of lieutenant prior to joining the RoyalCanadian Mounted Police in 1980. Although retired,he still serves as a captain in the Reserves and trainscadets. “My father’s brother was killed in action inItaly during World War II,” explained Shaun, “and it[laying the wreath] is a way to remember him.”

Each year following protocol, Shaun, as a veteran,presents the MNO wreath to Senator Reta who thenlays the wreath on the cenotaph. Senator Reta’s fatherand her nine uncles all participated in World War II.Then later in the 1950s, her four brothers also servedin the military and one of her brothers, SenatorGeorge Kelly, even participated in the national

Remembrance Day ceremoniesthis year. “It is good to leteveryone know the Métis arehere and that we supportRemembrance Day,”explained Senator Reta.

This year Senator Reta andShaun also participated in a cere-mony at the National AboriginalVeterans Monument prior to the NationalRemembrance Day Ceremony. The National Abo-riginal Veterans Monument is located a short distanceaway from the National Cenotaph and is an impor-tant symbol of the contributions of Métis and otherAboriginal veterans to Canada.

Another Remembrance Day service took place atthe Sudbury Arena this November 11 with severalMNO citizens actively participating. The Rev. SteveCallaghan, Métis veteran and Councillor on the MNOSudbury Métis Council provided the prayer duringthe ceremony and a wreath was laid on the Cenotaphon behalf of the MNO by Senator Kempton Gravelleand Gail Charbonneau, Métis Facilitator at CambrianCollege in Sudbury.

This year MNO veterans Harvey Horlock and Sen-ator Alis Kennedy were also invited by the Office ofthe Premier to attend provincial Remembrance DayCeremonies at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

This was Premier McGuinty’s last RemembranceDay as Premier. It was under his leadership that theVeterans’ Memorial Mural was created.

Brigadier-General Omer Lavoie, who served inAfghanistan, spoke of how difficult it was to send sol-diers to their death and to have to tell their parentsand loved ones of their passing. Major-GeneralRichard Rohmer, Canada’s most highly decorated sol-dier also addressed those in attendance.

The participation of MNO veterans and citizens inthese Remembrance Day ceremonies and ones likethem all over the Métis Homeland is very importantto the whole Métis Nation because it reminds allCanadians of the sacrifices the Métis have made andof our long tradition of military service.

∞

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Lest We ForgetMétis Nation of Ontario Veterans and Citizensmaintain vital Remembrance Day traditions

Premier Dalton McGuinty (centre) with MNO Veterans Harvey Horlock and Senator Alis Kennedyfollowing Remembrance Day Ceremonies at Queen’s Park on November 11, 2012.

Senator Reta Gordon (left) and Métis veteran, Shaun Redmond,at the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa.

Greg Garratt, Sergeant-at-Arms for the MNOVC participatesin Midland Remembrance Day Ceremony.

MNO Veterans’ Council President, Joe Paquette (centre)at Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Port Credit.

MNO citizens at the Sudbury Remembrance Day Ceremony.(left to right) Steve Callaghan, Gail Charbonneau and SenatorKempton Gravelle.


LOUIS RIEL DAY | NOVEMBER 16th

QUEEN’S PARK • TORONTO

Many Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)chartered community councils heldflag raisings, feasts and cultural cele-brations to recognize Louis Riel Day.As in the past, provincial ceremonieswere held at Queen’s Park in Torontobecause the Northwest Rebellion mon-ument and the Provincial Parliament

Building are both located there. Ironically, themonument recognizes the Canadian soldierswho fought in the Northwest Resistance againstthe Métis, but on Louis Riel Day it is drapedwith Métis symbols and a portrait of Louis Rielis reverentially placed upon it.

It was a beautiful fall day in Toronto for thisyear’s provincial ceremony with over 100 peo-ple in attendance, not only from the Torontoarea, but from as far away as Thunder Bay. As inthe past, events started with a flag raising cere-mony. Jennifer Henry, the Postsecondary Rep-resentative on the Provisional Council of theMétis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO), raised theflag with MNO President, Gary Lipinski, theHonourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the OntarioLegislature, and the Honourable Chris Bentley,Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister ofEnergy looking on.

Following the flag ceremony, the partici-

pants formed a procession led by members ofthe No. 10 Branch of the Royal CanadianLegion and accompanied by Métis fiddler Ali-cia Blore. The No. 10 Legion Branch has beenparticipating in Louis Riel Day ceremonies for12 years and their dedication and service wascommented upon by several of the speakersduring the ceremony that followed the proces-sion. Although Alicia had broken her leg a fewdays prior to Louis Riel Day, she refused to bedeterred from participating in the processionand her determination provided a shiningexample of the Métis spirit!

The procession made its way to the North-west Rebellion monument where the officialRiel Day ceremony was held. PCMNO SenatorJoseph Poitras provided the opening prayer andthanked the Creator for the many blessingsreceived by the Métis and for bringing people ofmany different affiliations together to recognizeRiel Day. MNO Chair France Picotte, emceedthe ceremony and welcomed everyone. She seta positive tone for the ceremony stating: “Oneach Riel Day, I ask those assembled to thinkback to the last Riel Day and remember whatthey have done to advance the Métis Nation inthe last year, and to also think forward aboutwhat they will do in the upcoming year for theMétis people.”

Next to address the crowd was the Hon-ourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the Ontario

Parliament. Speaker Levac is an MNO citizenand is the first person of Métis ancestry to serveas the speaker of a provincial parliament or leg-islature in Canada. He related the story of howhe discovered his Métis heritage and heexplained now that he is aware of his back-ground it means “...more to me than I everknew it could.” He added that as speaker, hisofficial portrait would eventually be paintedand displayed in the Parliament Building.Proudly he stated that in this portrait he wouldbe wearing his sash, “because I am Métis,” heproclaimed.

Speaker Levac was followed to the podiumby MNO Vice-chair Sharon McBride. Vice-chairMcBride said that she would have liked to meetLouis Riel so that she could tell him that “hispeople are not ashamed--we are a recognizedAboriginal people.” She also said she would liketo tell him that “... you are loved and remem-bered” and “your spirit lives on through all ofus.”

Chair Picotte introduced the next speaker,the Honourable Chris Bentley, Minister of Abo-riginal Affairs and Minister of Energy, as a “goodfriend of the Métis.” It was noted that MinisterBentley enjoys an unrivaled record for attend-ing MNO Annual General Assemblies and otherMNO events and has played a role in some ofour greatest achievements. Minister Bentleycommented that the Métis have “shown lead-

ership, endured great challenges and made sac-rifices,” for the betterment of all Canadians. Healso spoke about the success of the MNOOntario Framework Agreement, signed in2008, that has contributed to building a strongpositive relationship between the MNO and theGovernment of Ontario, which led to amongother things, the establishment of the MétisVoyageur Development Fund. “The re-kindlingof the Métis entrepreneurial spirit,” declaredMinister Bentley “was an important result of ourworking together.”

Michael Prue, a New Democratic Party(NDP) Member of the Provincial Parliament(MPP) represented NDP leader Andrea Hor-wath at the ceremony. As a member of the No.10 Legion Branch, MPP Prue has attendedLouis Riel ceremonies loyally for 12 years. Inhis statements he focused on how dramaticallyattitudes towards Louis Riel have changed sincehe was first taught about Riel in high school.“Children are learning a different story,” hecommented, “today he [Riel] is recognized as atrue ‘Father of Confederation’.”

Métis youth were represented at the cere-mony by PCMNO Postsecondary Representa-tive Jennifer Henry. Representative Henryspoke about the value and importance of post-secondary education in insuring a strong futurefor the MNO. She also explained that we must“teach our youth the stories of our past,” and

Fulfilling Riel’s DreaLouis Riel Day events celebrated throughout Métis Homeland

Senator Joseph Poitras and MNOVC President Joseph Paquettecarry wreaths from the steps of the Legislative Building atQueen’s Park to the Northwest Rebellion Monument on RielDay, November 16th.


for this “we look to our elders.” RepresentativeHenry spoke eloquently in tribute to one of theMNO’s great elders, Senator Earl Scofield, whohad passed away earlier in the month. Shedeclared: “His [Senator Scofield’s] spirit lives onin the Métis Nation.”

As in most past years, the MNO was hon-oured with the presence of Jean Teillet at theQueen’s Park Ceremony. Ms. Teillet is the greatgrandniece of Louis Riel and is the famousMétis rights lawyer who took the Powley Caseto the Supreme Court of Canada and won.Chair Picotte commented when introducingMs. Teillet that by defending Métis rights in thecourts, “she has taken on the family business to

make sure the Nation is vibrant and alive.” Inher remarks, Ms. Teillet focused on theimprovements the Métis have seen in the lastdecade. “We are not fighting that house any-more,” she said, referring to the Ontario Parlia-ment only a short distance away. “Things havechanged dramatically from the days when peo-ple took up arms; from the days full of dis-grace.” She added, “we have worked hard andthe yardstick has moved forward.” She con-cluded her remarks saying: “The fact that weare here [at this ceremony] over a 100 yearslater, is a testament to the power that his [Riel’s]image has created for us.”

The final speaker was MNO President, GaryLipinski. President Lipinski said that Riel sacri-ficed himself for his dream so that the Métismight take their rightful place in Confedera-tion. Referring to his execution, President Lip-inski said: “It was a travesty that should nothave happened. Think of the Canada we couldhave built if his ideas would have beenembraced. When Louis Riel was executed, allCanadians lost a great leader.” President Lipin-ski then highlighted how the MNO is workingto fulfill Riel’s dream. “Providing Métis childrenand youth with the opportunity to be the bestthey can be,” he stated, “is a key priority.” Healso described the MNO plans to build eco-nomic self-sufficiency so the MNO will nolonger be dependent on government funding.

“It is these types of goals that speak to theaspirations of the Métis people,” he said. Theceremony ended with the laying of wreaths ofremembrance on the Northwest Rebellionmonument.

The participants then moved inside theProvincial Parliament building for a delicioustraditional Métis feast. After everyone enjoyedan excellent meal, President Lipinski made aspecial presentation. Two MNO veterans, Har-vey and Norman Horlock had been unable toattend this year’s Annual General Assembly,where other MNO veterans were pre-sented with Queen’s Jubilee Medals.While Norman was stillunable to attend Riel Dayin Toronto, Harvey wasable to attend andreceived his medalfrom President Lip-inski and acceptedNorman’s medalon his behalf.

am

(top) MNO President Gary Lipinski presents HarveyHorlock with a Queen’s Jubilee Medal. (middle) MNOPresident, Gary Lipinski; Chair of Métis Studies,University of Ottawa, Brenda MacDougall; and, Métisauthor and activist, Maria Campbell. (bottom) Raising theMétis flag.

(1) MNO Vice-Chair SharonMcBride. (2) The HonourableChris Bentley. (3) Michael PrueMPP for Beaches-east York. (4) The Honourable DaveLevac, Speaker of the OntarioLegislature.

4

3

2

1

Fiddler Alicia Bloreprovided the march

with Métis music.

(far left) Lawyer andRiel descendant

Jean Teillet. (left) PCMNO YouthRep Jennifer Henry.

Senator Joesph Poitras and MNOVCPresident Jospeh Paquette lay wreathson the Northwest Rebellion Monument.

You are loved andremembered.Your spirit liveson through all of us.


COMMUNITY RIEL DAY EVENTS

In Sudbury, Louis Riel Day eventsdrew around 120 people of allages and backgrounds. Students

from both the French and Englishschool boards participated, as didpre-school-age children and adults.

The Métis flag was raised andworkshops were held on Métismusic, the sash and culture. “Weprayed for our next generation,” saidMNO Sudbury Métis Council Chair,Rick Meilleur, “to learn about theirculture and continue to spread theMétis way.”

The MNO Grand River MétisCouncil held a Métis flag raising cer-emony at Guelph City Hall and dur-ing the ceremony presented a sash tothe Mayor of Guelph. The ceremonyalso included Métis fiddler, Rajan

Dornan-Anderson, who was accom-panied by his mother Dr. Kim Ander-son.

The MNO Credit River MétisCouncil held a Louis Riel Day cele-bration with the participation ofMNO Chair, France Picotte, andMNO Vice-chair, Sharon McBride.The event included Métis fiddling andjigging, finger-weaving, a deliciousfeast and MNO displays. Louis RielDay events sponsored by the MNOSunset Country Métis Council in FortFrancis included jigging and spoon-ing workshops and demonstrations.

The MNO Niagara Region MétisCouncil held flag raising ceremoniesat both the St. Catharine’s andWelland City Halls and presentedsashes to the Mayors of each city.

Shortly after the provincial Louis Riel Day cere-mony at Queen’s Park, the MNO partneredwith the Law Society of Upper Canada to host

a seminar on The State of Métis Law, Research andSelf- Government in Canada. The seminar is heldannually as part of the Law Society’s Equity InitiativeProgram that delivers a series of public educationevents throughout the year to promote awareness,education, and discussion on the challenges andopportunities facing Aboriginal, Francophone andother equality-seeking communities.

This year’s seminar featured a panel discussionwith Métis lawyers Jean Teillet and Jason Madden, aswell as Dr. Brenda MacDougall, the Chair of MétisStudies at the University of Ottawa. The panel wasmoderated by Métis lawyer Margaret Froh andincluded comments from Law Society of UpperCanada “Bencher”, Susan Hare, and MNO President,Gary Lipinski.

In her presentation,Ms. Teillet recounted howsome Aboriginal andMétis rights were finallyincluded in The Constitu-tion Act, 1982. She spokeabout the results of thisachievement, as well asthose hopes that remainunfulfilled.

Mr. Madden reviewedsome of the significantlegal cases influencingMétis rights currently infront of courts in Canada.He demonstrated that thevarious legal cases beingfought across the Home-land are starting to “colourin the map,” as more andmore territory is added toareas where Métis rightsare being recognized.

Dr. MacDougall pro-vided some personalexamples of the issues thather legal colleagues hadaddressed by looking atthe history of the MétisLaframboise family. She

demonstrated that this Family, in many respects, typ-ifies the Métis experience.

Following the panel discussion, the seminar par-ticipants enjoyed a performance from Métis singer,Rebecca Cuddy, and a reading by Métis writer, MariaCampbell, from her book Stories of the Road AllowancePeople.

The state of Métis law, researchand self-government in Canada

Remembering RielTalkingMétis Law

Chartered MNO community councils organizeRiel Day events in their communities

Brenda MacDougall, Chair of Métis Studies -Univeristy of Ottawa.

FORT FRANCES -- MNO SunsetCountry Métis Council celebrated LouisRiel Day with a Jigging and SpooningWorkshop.

(top) Métis authorand activist MariaCampbell. (bottom)Rebecca Cuddy.photos: Richard Cuddy

SUDBURY -- MNO Sudbury Métis Council flag raising at Sudbury City Hall for Louis Riel Day.

GUELPH -- Rajan Dornan-Anderson plays fiddleaccompanied by his mother Dr. Kim Anderson at MNOGrand River Métis Council Louis Riel Day event.

OTTAWA -- MNO Ottawa Region Métis Councilflag raising event at Ottawa PoliceHeadquarters.

Flag raising in St. Catherines, Ontario.

LAW SOCIETY OF UPPER CANADA


MIDLAND | DISCOVERY HARBOURQUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBLIEE MEDALS

Three members of the MétisNation of Ontario (MNO)chartered Community Coun-

cils were recognized recently for theircontributions to their communitycouncils and to the Métis Nation.These included Stephen Quesnelle,the outgoing President of the NiagaraRegion Métis Council; Derrick Pont,the newly elected President of theNiagara Region Métis Council; andDoris Evans, the Secretary-Treasurerof the MNO North Bay Métis Council.

Doris Evans

Doris Evans received a Queen’sDiamond Jubilee Medal from Nipiss-ing Member of the Provincial Parlia-ment Vic Fedeli. Doris is not only theSecretary- Treasurer of the MNONorth Bay Métis Council but also alocal Métis Elder. She was nominatedfor working to forge ties between localMétis and area communities, and heractive promotion of Métis culture andheritage.

Doris was surprised with themedal presentation at the Métis flag-raising at North Bay City Hall mark-ing Louis Riel Day.

“Since relocating to North Bay 15years ago after a lifelong career serv-ing others in nursing, Doris has trulymade a difference in many lives here,”said Fedeli. “It’s wonderful that Doriswas nominated for this recognition by

the community.”

Stephen Quesnelle

Stephen Quesnelle was presentedwith the Queen’s Diamond JubileeMedal by Malcolm Allen, the Memberof Parliament for Welland, at a cere-mony held at the Welland Branch ofthe Royal Canadian Legion. Stephenwas one of 30 recipients from the areaand the ceremony was attended byover 200 people. The medal recog-nizes his more than 13 years of vol-unteer work promoting Métis cultureand serving in various capacities onthe MNO Niagara Region MétisCouncil and its predecessor the MNOWelland Métis Council. As Presidentof the MNO Niagara Region MétisCouncil between 2010 and 2012,Stephen raised the profile of the Métiscommunity in the district throughLouis

Riel Day flag raising events in sev-eral Niagara Region cities, participa-tion in Canada Day events, Remem-brance Day ceremonies, and localparades. He formed a very successfulpartnership with the Welland Histor-ical Museum and served on Aborigi-nal housing and education commit-tees. Stephen has actively and enthu-siastically represented the MNONiagara Region Métis Council atschool and college presentations. Healso recently spoke at the Ontario

Museum Association Annual Confer-ence and initiated discussions withNiagara College that led to the signingof a Memorandum of Understandingbetween the College and the MNO.

Derrick Pont

Derrick Pont was presented witha Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal byNiagara West Member of the Provin-cial Parliament Dean Allison onNovember 13. He was recognized forover 25 years of volunteering, whichbegan with a long and successfulassociation with the Scouting move-ment.

Derrick joined the MNO NiagaraRegion Métis Council in 2008 andprior to being elected president thisyear, served as Chair and as a mem-ber of the Consultation Committee.He is passionate about Métis educa-tion and has presented to manyschools in the Niagara region, teach-ing students and teachers about Métishistory, culture and way-of-life. Hebelieves it is very important to edu-cate the public concerning the mis-conceptions about Métis people andhis dedication to Métis rights hasenlightened and inspired many.

Doris, Stephen and Derrick are allworthy recipients of the Queen’s Dia-mond Jubilee Medal and their dedi-cation and service makes them excel-lent role models for Métis youth.

On August 11th, 2012, vis-itors to Discovery Har-bour enjoyed a serving of

Métis heritage and culture duringthe seventh annual Métis DayBo’jou Neejee. (“Bo’jou neejee” is acombination of the French greet-ing “bonjour” and the Ojibwaword for friend, “neejee” and wasa common greeting during the furtrade era in Canada.) DiscoveryHarbour has a strong historic con-nection to the Métis people whowere part of the military migrationfrom Drummond Island to theoriginal Penetanguishene base in1828 following the War of 1812.

New this year was the Kwi-ikikwe Métis Women’s DrumGroup, who performed morningand afternoon. The C and C MétisSisters presented “The Métis Tradi-tional Sharing Cache”, a theatrical-style performance that focussed onthe Métis tradition of sharing andcaring. The Métis Fiddler Quartet,renowned for their mastery ofboth traditional and Métis old-style fiddle playing, appearedthree times throughout the day.Rounding out the day’s entertain-ment with more great toe-tappingtunes were popular fiddler AliciaBlore and the music and vocals ofLa Famille Lefaive.

Métis culture was also cele-

brated through displays anddemonstrations: traditional sashweaving; fur trade trapping; bead-work, and moccasin making. Visi-tors were able to hear Michif--thetraditional language of the Métis,see a voyageur encampment, andlearn about life in the wilderness.Rug hooking, historic tailoring,leather bag-making, and cooking

demonstrations that included thetraditional “three sisters’ soup” andbannock, illustrated domestic life.

There was even a horse-and-wagon ride that transported visi-tors from the admission area todisplays and activities.

Métis culture celebrated at Discovery Harbour

Dedication & Service

(top) Doris Evans (fifth from the left) with members of the MNONorth Bay Métis Council. (above left) MP Malcolm Allen presentsStephen Quesnelle (on left) with a Queen’s Diamond JubileeMedal. (above right) Derrick Pont (on left) receives Queen’sDiamond Jubilee Medal.

VOLUNTEERS | QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDALS

MNO Community Council members awarded Queen's Jubilee Medals

Executive Senator, Reta Gordon, is flanked by brothersSenator George Kelly (left) and John Kelly holding theDiamond Jubilee Medal.

Three Métis siblings honoured with Queen’s Jubilee Medals

All in the family

Recently, three members ofthe same Métis family eachreceived Queen’s Diamond

Jubilee Medals. The recipients areSenator Reta Gordon and her broth-ers, twins, John and George Kelly.George Kelly was recently chosen as“Senator of the Métis Nation of

Ontario Veterans’ Council” (seeVoyageur 72, page 22). John andGeorge are both Métis veterans whoserved in the Canadian Navy and inthat capacity attended the Corona-tion of Queen Elizabeth II in Lon-don in 1953.

∞

Learning to finger-weave at Discovery Harbour in Midlandduring their annual Métis Day - Bo’jou Neejee.

By Paul Christopher WebsterToronto, On

The federal government is deliberatelyundermining capacity to generate accurateAboriginal health data and circulating dis-credited health data so as to downplay theseverity of the Aboriginal health crisis inCanada, critics charge.

The strategy includes attempts to under-mine national data-gathering capability; pub-lishing data that understates infant mortalityand suicide rates; and slashing funds for Abo-riginal associations that were involved in datagathering and research, the critics add.

“My fear is that the government is revertingback to generating Aboriginal health policieswithout input from Aboriginal researchers,”says Claudette Dumont Smith, President of theNative Women’s Association of Canada. “We nolonger get to participate in health programs,including many with research components.We’ve been silenced.”

National Aboriginal health data is “shabby”,Dr. Michael Kramer, professor of pediatrics, epi-demiology and biostatistics at McGill Univer-sity in Montréal, Quebec, says, adding that thegovernment’s decision to abolish the mandatorylong form census casts serious doubt on itscommitment to generating reliable data onAboriginal health conditions.

Several others concur. “This appears to be aconcerted effort by the government to dimin-ish the collection of data about Aboriginalhealth conditions,” notes Peggy Taillon, Presi-dent of the Canadian Council on Social Devel-opment, a nongovernmental association inOttawa which has filed a lawsuit against thegovernment for abandoning its responsibilityto collect data on Aboriginal and other disad-vantaged communities.

“If you don’t ask the question you don’t getthe data. And if you don’t have the data you

don’t have to respond to the health needs,” shesays, adding that the association is equally dis-turbed by discontinuation of such initiatives asthe Aboriginal Children’s Survey.

Among the most egregious elements of thecampaign is the publication of inaccurate infantmortality data, charges Dr. Janet Smylie, asso-ciate professor of family medicine at the Uni-versity of Toronto in Ontario and research sci-entist at the Keenan Research Centre of the LiKa Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’sHospital.

Public Health Agency of Canada (phac) dataasserts that the infant mortality rate on Aborig-inal reserves is 7 deaths per 1000 live births,about 40% higher than the national average.1

But Smylie’s studies, conducted under therubric of the Canadian Perinatal SurveillanceSystem, indicate that the rate is at least doublethe national average (Can J Public Health2010;101:143–48). “The government contin-ues to dodge the facts on Aboriginal infant mor-tality,” she says.

The cuts to Aboriginal research capacity,meanwhile, pose a long-term threat to evi-dence-based Aboriginal health care, warns Dr.Marcia Anderson DeCoteau, assistant professorof community health sciences at the Universityof Manitoba in Winnipeg and past President ofthe Indigenous Physicians Association ofCanada. “What gets measured gets done.”

Smylie’s evidence that Aboriginal infantmortality rates are incorrect is likely typical ofother indicators of Aboriginal health status thatare either misreported or unknown, DeCoteauadds. “Life expectancy among Aboriginal peo-ple is also a contested core indicator. I believethe official figures underestimate inequities inlife expectancy by at least 30%.”

At least 10 Aboriginal bodies have had theirhealth research funding recently cut by the gov-ernment, including the Native Healing Foun-dation, the National Aboriginal Health Organ-

ization, the First Nations Statistical Institute, theNative Women’s Association of Canada, theMétis National Council and Inuit TapiriitKanatami.

“We’re seeing a systematic rollback in Abo-riginal health research capacity,” says BruceDumont, President of the Métis Nation ofBritish Columbia, and Minister of Health for theMétis National Council. “These cuts could wellbe terminal for Métis-led health research, whichwas in its infancy.”

Similarly, Terry Audla, President of InuitTapiriit Kanatami, argues that the cuts impairthe ability to “meaningfully engage” in healthresearch at a time when life expectancy amongthe Inuit is 15 years shorter than the Canadianaverage, while suicide rates are 11 times higher,and infant mortality rates 3 times higher, thanthe national average.

The money the government saved throughsuch cuts “will be lost many-fold as the flow ofinformation and the creation of new knowledgeand capacity with which Aboriginal peopleswere addressing their health inequities ceases,”argues Sylvia Abonyi, Canada Research Chairin Aboriginal Health at the University ofSaskatchewan.

Health Canada has also slashed intramuralfunding for a host of Aboriginal programs,including ones to address diabetes, fetal alco-hol syndrome, youth suicide, infectious dis-eases and maternal and child health. The cutsprompted Thomas Dignan, Chair of the RoyalCollege of Physicians and Surgeon’s AboriginalHealth Advisory Committee and acting com-munity medicine specialist for Health Canada’sFirst Nations and Inuit Health Branch in Thun-der Bay, Ontario, to decry that “the state of Abo-riginal health is a national embarrassment andleadership is needed now more than ever”.2

For its part, the federal government says it isnow examining the accuracy of infant mortalitydata and is shifting aboriginal health researchfunding under the rubric of the Canadian Insti-tutes of Health Research (CIHR), according toPHAC spokesman Sylwia Gomes and HealthCanada spokesman Gary Holub.

Gomes says the agency is aware that the fig-ures it publishes on Aboriginal infant mortalityhave been challenged and notes that HealthCanada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch“is currently addressing the quality of FirstNations and Inuit infant mortality data throughregional engagement with provinces, territories,and Aboriginal peoples.”

Holub explains that as part of a government-wide administrative overhaul, federal aborigi-nal health research funds “will primarily beadministered through the Canadian Institutesof Health Research, while Health Canadafocuses primarily on overseeing the FirstNations and Inuit Health program.”

CIHR has invested $151.5 million in healthresearch related to Aboriginal peoples’ healthsince 2006, including $31 million in fiscal2010–11, Holub notes. He adds that CIHRlaunched a $25 million initiative aimed atunderstanding how to reduce Aboriginal healthinequities.

But Malcolm King, scientific director for theCIHR’s Institute of Aboriginal People’s Health,believes that many of the Aboriginal healthorganizations that have been defunded byHealth Canada played an important role inhelping CIHR-supported researchers establishcommunity-based research programs. The cuts“certainly make it more difficult for Aboriginalorganizations to participate in health research,”he notes.


HEALING & WELLNESS

1 www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cphorsphc-respcacsp/2008/fr-rc/cphorsphc-respcacsp06c-eng.php2 www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/common/documents/news/2012/naho_media_release_e.pdf

MNO Healing and Wellness stafftake part in Diabetes Expo

Richard Aubin, of the MétisNation of Ontario (MNO) Heal-ing and Wellness Branch in

Timmins, and Julie St. Onge, of theCanadian Diabetes Association, co-chaired the fourth annual DiabetesExpo on October 18 and 19 at theCentre Cultural LaRonde in Timmins.

Aubin commented that the twoday event has increased its reach toprofessionals and the general publicby at least 50 percent.

“We have a great committee ded-icated to this event and some reallywonderful sponsors who I want tothank for their support,” said St.Onge.

The two-day event includedexpert speakers; a series of work-shops; a “kids’ program”; and a pro-fessional event held at the PorcupineHealth Unit that provided an on-siteworkshop to local health care profes-sionals in attendance, and to health

care workers in Kapuskasing, Kirk-land Lake, New Liskeard, North Bay,Moose Factory, Fort Albany andHearst through live teleconferencingusing the Ontario Telemedicine Net-work (OTN).

Right: Richard Aubin (far left), ofthe MNO Healing and WellnessBranch in Timmins, co-chairedthe fourth annual DiabetesExpo.

VISUAL ARTS

Aboriginalhealth programming under siegeFunding cuts make it difficult for Aboriginalorganizations to participate in health research


ARTS & CULTURE

To experience Street Pharmacy visit any of the media below:www.youtube.com/streetpharmacymusic

www.streetpharmacy.com

ABOUT THE NEW EP

S ix new songs were recorded forAlimony over six days at

Catherine North Studios in Hamil-ton, Ontario. Highlights includethe title track “Alimony”, whichtackles the crumbling institution ofmarriage in today’s society. The firsttrack, “Step Outside”, has anthem-like qualities similar to their 2007release, Free Delivery, with a coun-try-inspired bridge that is new toStreet Pharmacy.

The second track is a uniquereggae version of Blind Melon’s“Change” that fuses intrinsicallyfolk instrumentals with reggaegrooves and tight vocal melodies.Lead singer, Ryan Guay, demon-strates his strong but youthfulpipes throughout the challengingvocals, staying true to both theoriginal song and Street Pharmacy’sdistinctive reggae sound. Songs like“Twenty One” and “Shepherd’sPride” add more experimental songstructures and arrangements to theband’s distinctive sound.

The final song, “It Ain’t ThatCrazy”, is a reggae-infused hip hoptrack that features verses fromWelland-based rapper Sosa and APlus from Hieroglyphics/Souls ofMischief, one of the band’s mainmusical influences. A Plus anchorsthe final verse with his signaturehieroglyphics west coast flow, tak-ing the EP to an unexpected, ener-

gized level. The track was pro-duced and engineered by AdamTune of live hip hop remix act“KEYS N KRATES”. Tune has workedwith Street Pharmacy since itsinception in 2006. All of the othertracks were recorded and mixed bymoon:and:6 and Marcone atCatherine North Studios, and pro-duced by moon:and:6 and RyanGuay.

In the last edition of Métis Voyageur we introduced our readersto Métis artist Ryan Guay and his four-piece reggae rock band,Street Pharmacy (see page 8). On September 25, the bandreleased a new EP, “Alimony”, marking a fan-driven return toits reggae rock roots. Alimony is available for download on theband’s Founding Fan site and iTunes.

Kristy Cameron with her painting Grandmother Spider.

Métis-lead band releases new music

VISUAL ARTS MÉTIS MUSICIANS

Roots rock

Métis artists’ work featured at Atikokan gallery

Finalement j’ai découvert qui je suis.Ivre d’espoir, je n’ai plus aucun ennui.En toute vérité, je me suis senti emballé.Réclamant mon héritage, j’ai vu mon passé.Dieu savait que mes ancêtres aimaient la nature.Être descendant d’une Huronne, quelle riche culture!Tout à coup, j’ai ressenti une grande fierté bouillir en moi.Rien ne pouvait m’empêcher de crier ma joie sur tous les toîts.Et oui, mon sang chaud de Métis circulait au sein de tout mon être.Ma vie ne serait jamais plus la même. Je chante la vie de mes ancêtres.Émerveillé par mon héritage de Métis, je plonge dans mes traditions.Trappeurs, cultivateurs, chanteurs et musiciens; quelles vocations!Inspiré par leurs vies exemplaires, je m’élance dans l’aventure.Sur mon honneur, je suis fier d’être Métis; soyez-en très sûrs.

The artwork of KristyCameron, a Councillor on the

Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)Atikokan and Area Métis Council,was recently displayed at the Pic-tograph Gallery in Atikokan.

Kristy is a well-known artistwho has collaborated in the pastwith writer David Bouchard byproviding illustrations for hisbooks. Most recently, she has con-tributed to Dreamcatcher and The

Seven Deceivers, the second in aseries of young people’s booksexploring traditional Aboriginalbeliefs.

Based on a story from the AtikokanProgress (www.atikokanprogress.ca).

Fier d’être MétisPar Raymond D. Tremblay, Ottawa

Street Pharmacy lead singerRyan Guay.

Métis crooner climbs chartsT

here’s a new Métis singer/songwriter light-ing up the adult contemporary charts.Franklin McKay, a citizen of the Métis

Nation of Ontario for about ten years, nowlives in Toronto, but he was born in SaultSte. Marie, Ontario, and grew up surroundedby nature.

Franklin recalls a childhood filled with fish-ing, hunting for partridge and moose, raspberrypicking, swimming, biking, canoeing, and sit-ting around the nightly camp fire. He loved theoutdoors and spent his summers as a child andteen on Lake Superior in Haviland Bay. In thewinter it was cross country skiing and playinghockey on the lake.

McKay says he still has close friends in Gar-den River, Ontario, and continues to be fasci-nated by the fact that most First Nation lan-guages do not have a word for “goodbye” butinstead say “See you later”. He carries with hima deep respect for nature and the Creator.

Franklin’s love for music began early, soaround the age of six his mother introducedhim to piano lessons. Unfortunately, he rarelypracticed and would rather be playing streethockey with his friends; not being a great pianostudent didn’t stop his love for creating. From a

very early age he wrote his own songs and inhigh school (the Bawating Collegiate and Voca-tional School) where he sang in the choir, heoften attempted to record them in the studio.Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Robbie Robert-son and Elton John were among his favouriteartists.

Although McKay moved to Toronto in thelate 90’s to attend the University of Torontowhere he studied political science and sociology,his love of music has persisted. Over the lastcouple of years it has become a fulltime endeav-our. He finds writing music very therapeuticand often writes from real life experience.

His efforts are beginning to show resultswith close to 200 radio stations in Canadaplaying his music, including CBC. FranklinMcKay is on the Aboriginal Music Count-down charts as well as the US BillboardAC charts--at #32 and #30 respectively.

There are plans to tour once hisalbum, Just Sayin’ is complete, and aJuno submission for Aboriginalrecording is also in the works. All ofthe songs are available on iTunes andnews updates can be found atwww.franklinmckay.com.

[Franklin] recalls a childhoodfilled with fishing, hunting for partridgeand moose, raspberry picking, swimming,biking, canoeing, and sitting around thenightly camp fire.

Franklin McKay is an MNO citizenfrom Sault Ste.Marie pursuing amusic career in Toronto. Photo: www.franklinmckay.com


By Reta GordonPCMNO Executive Senator

Many of us Ontario Métis havethe good fortune of descendingfrom the voyageurs. This hardybunch knew well the rigours ofhard monotonous work. Theexcitement of starting out or

the pending completion of a long trekwas quickly pushed aside by the hardwork at hand.

It was no easy job to be avoyageur. Their lives were filled withadventures, hardships, ever-changingsituations, loneliness, separation fromloved ones, great physical stress, andmost times the rewards were small.Why did they do it? To achieve a bet-ter life would be the simple answer.

With every AGA, the Métis Nationof Ontario has the excitement of“starting out”--like our voyageurancestors we must battle the elementsand ever-changing situations. Often,going against the current can seemoverwhelming, portages and unex-pected events can threaten to tip ourcanoe as we strive to reach our ulti-mate destination and objective.

The excitement of the voyage cansometimes turn to frustration and weappear to make little headway; we areconditioned in today’s world to expecteverything immediately.

We know from history that thevoyageurs paddled for set periods oftime, pacing themselves, then resting,taking stock of what needed to bedone and then carrying on. After the“high” of an AGA, we return to ourcommunities with renewed vigourand try to run with ideas that havebeen planted in our minds. Often westumble, overcome by the weight ofthe burden of trying to create changeand to move ahead.

Let us remember to stop; take timeto reflect; make certain we are ontrack, and after a brief time, moveahead. Sometimes we may even haveto make that portage over rough ter-rain before we reach smooth water.

Let us not get bogged down orlose the path. Let us learn from his-tory; regroup; reflect; re-energize andmove ahead.

I wish all of you many pleasantblessed voyages in your lifetime.

ThisHardyBunch

SENATORS SPOTLIGHT

“In Time” saga continues with release of third book

I’ve often been asked todescribe where my ideascome from when I write.

They say, “write about what youknow”. Well, I spent most of mylife learning about Canadian his-tory, the fur trade, and the Aborig-inal people. I also live my cultureevery day. I don’t set a special timeaside to write; I let it come to meand welcome it with joy. I createdmy main characters in the firstbook of the saga: Rainbows in Time;gave them life; threw them in a sit-uation, and then sat back andwatched them. At times, the storyevolved so quickly I could barelykeep up writing it down.

Mists of Time (Book 2) andTides of Time (Book 3) flew off mypen the moment Rainbows in Time,was published, and so wellreceived by my readers. In Mists ofTime, Lee Ann and Michael hadthe children and the family theyboth wanted more than anythingelse in the world. The love theywere deprived of in their youthnow filled their hearts. Watchingthe little ones being born andgrow was fun for me. Their anticsand pranks literally spilled ontothe paper. The more I wrote, thelivelier the characters became.Each child’s character was devel-oping before my eyes, almost likea movie. Then Ben went to theGreat Sand Hills. It wasn’tplanned, it just happened becauseno one lives forever. That scenewas very difficult to write becauseit sprang from the heart and thefact that I still miss those I’ve lostover the years.

Tides of Time unravelled intwists and turns that explore ourdeepest emotions at times. LeeAnn and Michael face happinessand devastation that I hope willmake the readers wonder howthey would handle the situation.Their experiences will sometimeschallenge our strongest beliefs andconvictions. Like Lee Ann, thereaders will not always agree withMichael’s actions, but he is doingwhat he believes is best for hisfamily, his tribe and his people.

Taking their family to Scotlandmeant a little more than half a year

in canoes and a sailing ship just toget there, with eight children andtwo young wards. Every day, Iimagined what it was like for themon that journey--a journey thatthousands of our white ancestorsmade. Although difficult, the voy-age was also a time for the coupleto strengthen their connection toeach other and to their children.Lee Ann also discovers her ownheritage on that journey.

When tragedy strikes a family,its members either rally togetheror walk away from each other. TheBlackwell, Montour and WhiteEagle families will face that verychallenge. Tides of Time packs apunch that will shake some read-ers to the core, but life was harshin those days; it often hung by athread. That was the reality ourAboriginal ancestors faced every-day while defending their way oflife, their culture and their land.

In the creation of these novels,I was very fortunate to have won-derful people who believe somuch in the success of the “InTime” Saga that they spend end-less hours revising and editing mywork out of the goodness of theirhearts. I name and thank thoseguardian angels at the beginningof each book because their selflessgenerosity is a true gift to all of us.

Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen, KaroleDumont’s newest book, Tides of Time is nowavailable. This is the third book of the “InTime” saga. In this book, the Siksika Wolf and Buffalo

tribes struggle to keep their loved ones safeand the Blackfoot territory free of tribal war-fare, fur trade and whiskey wars, mountainmen, settlers, and the hated Coyote Nation.

Michael and Lee Ann prepare their childrento carve their own place in history and to fulfilltheir own destinies as the keepers of the free-dom they so nobly defend. Sometimes, theylaugh over their family’s antics; other times,they cry for those who make the ultimate sac-rifice.

Their journey takes them to Scotland’sHighlands so that Michael can claim his castleand his title of “Lord Blackwell”. Lee Ann dis-

When asked about her writing and thecreative process, Karole had this to say...

covers a side of her big guy that strengthensher love for him. She married the intrepid furtrader, raised her children with the fearsomehead chief, and now discovers her ancestralheritage with her noble highlander.

Sadly, not everyone returns to their paradisein the Rocky Mountains. Lee Ann’s elationturns to heartbreak under hardships a mothershould never suffer. The battle the Blackwell,White Eagle and Montour clans waged to pro-tect their families, their land, their way of life,and their culture, created a bond they hopewill survive the chaotic Tides of Time.

Tides of Time is available online:WWW.METISPUBLISHING.CA

BOOKS

Time & Tide

The excitement of the voyage cansometimes turn tofrustration and we

appear to make littleheadway...

I created my main characters in the firstbook of the saga: Rainbows in Time; gavethem life; threw them in a situation, and thensat back and watched them. At times, thestory evolved so quickly I could barely keepup writing it down.

In Time series author Karole Dumont-Beckett signing booksat the MNO AGA in Sault Ste. Marie.


IN MEMORIAM

By Linda Lord

Ralph Earl Scofield was born in Margo,Saskatchewan on February 26, 1925, toRalph William Scofield, a drover andfarmer, and Clara Marie Chartrand, thedaughter of Marie Cecile Ducharme andGaspard Chartrand. In about two years,the family moved to The Pas, whereEarl’s sister “Claire” was born.

After the separation of their parents, the chil-dren lived with their maternal grandparents, Marieand Gaspard Chartrand in The Pas where theyattended Sacred Heart Catholic School. Grandfa-ther Gaspard was a Métis fiddle player and a greatstep-dancer. He was employed as a fur buyer forthe Northwest Fur Company and Revillion FrèresFur Company.

At about eight years of age Earl moved to Win-nipeg with his sister, his mother, and her new part-ner, Bernard William Engman (BW). They wereonly in Winnipeg for about a year before movingto Timmins, Ontario, so that BW could look forwork in the gold mines in the Porcupine area.

This was the time of The Great Depression and,as Senator Earl remembered: “We were squatters,and lived in an old bunk house near Fulham Creekby the Desantis Mine. When B.W. found work, hebuilt a tar paper shack as the family home locatednear the cemetery on Pine Street in Timmins.There, my sister and I attended Central PublicSchool.

“B.W. walked every day, summer and winter,looking for work at the local mine. My motherplayed the piano at local dances and my sister andI picked potatoes on Mr. M.J. Tinkiss’ potato farm,near Cooks Lake on the edge of town. Around1935, when I was 10 years old, I had four sled dogsthat were used to haul wood for our kitchen stove.To feed the dogs, we boiled bones and guts fromthe abattoir with cornmeal, oatmeal or dry bread, aswell as the meat scraps from the butcher shops. Onweekends, Fridays and Saturdays, the local grocerystores would take their vegetables and fruits to thecity dump and would pass our place. When thefruits and vegetables were thrown in the garbagedump, I would hitch up the dogs and go to salvagewhat was still usable. My mother would washeverything, cut and peel the fruit to cook and bot-tle it up. While in the bush getting wood, I would

set a brass snare wire to catch rabbits. Life was veryhard in the Great Depression.”

At the age of 14 Earl got a job working for anItalian farmer on Nabob Road at the creek. He waspaid 50 cents each day, and received room andboard. He gave all of his money ($15 a month) tohis mother. It was a hard life: waking before day-light every day. There were plenty of chores to lookafter, such as cleaning the barn, pumping hundredsof gallons of water out of the creek for three horses,and 20 cows, bulls, pigs, and chickens. He workedon the farm for a couple of years until he was 16years old in 1941.

Earl’s next job was at Pizzali Brothers Interna-tional Bakery, making Italian bread for 12 dollarsper week and one loaf of bread per day. Meanwhile,he attended night school at Timmins High andVocational School to learn machine shop and otherrelated skills. After completing his courses, Earlfound a job at the Dome Mine machine shop inSouth Porcupine making water pumps for the Navy.

By now, the Second World War had begun andusing his step-father’s name (Engman), both Earland BW joined the Algonquin Regiment MilitiaReserve Army and began training at Niagara-on-the-Lake. A year later Senator Earl turned 18 andvolunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Ralph Earl Scofield took the oath of allegiancewith 26 other men at the theatre in Timmins,Ontario. First, he was sent to Edmonton, Alberta,then Mont Joli, Quebec and attended McGill Uni-versity in pre-air crew training for the Air Force. Asa graduate, Earl went to Three Rivers, Montreal,and Lachine, Quebec, before being sent to Englandto train on two-engine Wellington bombers, andthen to a heavy conversion unit to train on Halifaxfour-engine bombers.

With this training completed Earl was sent toactive duty on squadrons of Halifax bombers. TheHalifax weighed 35 tons when loaded with bombs,seven or eight men, and 2200 gallons of 100 octanegas. Senator Scofield completed 17 missions overGermany, bombing targets mostly at night. Whenhe was posted to 415 Swordfish Squadron at East-moor, Yorkshire, he found that his mother’s brother,Roger Chartrand, from The Pas, Manitoba, was atthe same base but he was at 432 Squadron, called“Leaside”. During these war years there were fourbrothers in uniform and on active duty overseas:Earl’s brother “Cecil” is buried in Belgium; his step-

brother, Henry Villeneuve, was in the army; JulesVilleneuve was in the Air force, and is buried inEngland.

“On January 4, 1945, while attempting to takeoff for a bombing mission”, Senator Earl recalled,“We left the runway and passed between stockpilesof bombs. At a speed of over 100 miles per hour, wecrashed into the trees on the far side of the aero-drome. At impact, I was thrown out of the tail tur-ret and flew through the air and landed on a fallentree. I had hurt my legs and my back. I was blownright out of my flight boots, but got up and ran untilmy legs could no longer support me. Our bomberexploded and burned up. All of our crew got outwith only burns and minor injuries.”

When the war ended in Europe, Senator Earlwas sent home for a month’s leave in Timminsbefore going off to fight Japan. However, the Amer-icans dropped the atomic bombs on Japan and thewar was over.

Earl was honourably discharged as a “Flight Ser-geant Air Gunner” and began looking for work inthe Timmins area. He tried lumbering, but foundthe mosquitoes and black flies more than he couldbear. Earl said: “In that part of our world you areeither in lumbering or mining, and...there aren’tmany mosquitoes underground,” so he went backto work at the Dome Mine.

In 1950 Earl moved to the Windsor area wherehe worked five years for GM and then took a coursein electronics and with that new skill went to theChrysler Corporation until his retirement 28 yearslater.

Senator Scofield received many well-deservedhonours. He was a proud Métis, active with theMétis Nation of Ontario, Windsor, Essex, KentMétis Council. He attended many MNO AnnualGeneral Assemblies (AGA), including AGA 2012,where he was presented with the Queen ElizabethII Diamond Jubilee Medal.

He was also a recipient of the Queen’s GoldenJubilee Medal; was invited and attended powwowswhere he participated in the Grand Entries carryingthe eagle staff in honour of the veterans; was askedto be one of three elders on a dispute resolutioncommittee for Health Canada in Windsor; was amember of the Air Force Club, the CanadianLegion, the National Aboriginal Veterans Associa-tion (NAVA) and the Métis Nation of Ontario Vet-erans’ Association (MNOVA).

Ralph Earl ScofieldWWII Veteran, Métis Senator Dies at 87

1925-2012


I t is with great sadness that I learnedtoday that one of our beloved Métis

Nation of Ontario (MNO) veterans,Senator Earl Scofield, passed away lastnight (2 November, 2012) in Windsor.

I have had the privilege of knowingSenator Scofield for many years. Hewas an incredible person and a dedi-cated Métis citizen who had served theMNO in many capacities. Ourthoughts and prayers are with his fam-ily.

– Gary Lipinski, President, MétisNation of Ontario

Senator Earl Scofield, a true friend.I am deeply saddened to know

that my dear friend, Senator EarlScofield is no longer among us. Hispassing leaves a huge void within theMétis Nation. A kind and generousman of the highest order, his devotionand affection for those he cared forwas unsurpassed. I am eternally grate-ful to have known and felt that kind-ness and loyalty. He was a dignifiedbut joyful and lovely man. I will misshim, his strength, and his sense ofpurpose. But I will find warmth infeeling the continuing presence of hisspirit.

– Tony Belcourt, Founding President,Métis Nation of Ontario

Métis Senator/Veteran Earl R.Scofield, WWII Veteran, also

known to his friends as "Boots",always took time to share his storiesand had a special relationship with theMNO Youths--always with words ofencouragement and a smile. He willsurely be missed by the Métis Nationof Ontario.

– Joseph Paquette, President MNOVC

Earl was the most charming, witty,honest, brave and generous man I

have ever met. I will never forget thelessons and wisdom he has taught meover the past few months. I will misshis emails and phone calls in which Iwould always hear his hearty laughand his “I love you!” at the end. I amso thankful to have known Earl. Hewas such a beautiful and loving per-son who has contributed so much toour country as a WW2 vet and a long-time passionate member of the MétisNation of Ontario.

Thinking of you always Earl, Ipromise to pass down the wisdom youhave taught me to my future students.RIP my friend, I love you Boots!

– Jennifer Henry

Iam very sad to hear of the passage ofour friend Earl Scofield. At the last

AGA, right after the election of thePCMNO Senators, I was speaking withEarl and asked him to pray for me thatI might be a benefit to the Métis peopleas a PCMNO Senator. And, being thetype of person that he was, he startedto give me words of encouragementwhich helped me a lot. Then we startedto talk about God--you could surelytell that this was a man who loved his

Creator, and now he is with him. As a veteran, he contributed so

much to his country and he was suchan encouragement to all who got toknow him.

We are grieving because we willmiss him, but we can also celebrate hislife because of the impact he has left onevery one of us. This is not a sad end-ing for Earl Scofield, this is a happybeginning for him. He is at peace andat rest with his Creator. We are prayingfor his family and his loved ones thatGod will strengthen them as they gothrough this great loss.

Knowing him has made a positivedifference in my life.

God Bless.

– Rene Gravelle, PCMNO Senator

As we grieve the passing of SenatorEarl Scofield we know he is in a

better place, at peace with his Creator.I have learned through experience: itis those left behind that grieve, not forthe Senator but for ourselves. Theymake such an impression on us we donot want to see them leave. As all of usknow, Senator Scofield did just that,left us with memories, his knowledge,humour and of course his dedicationto the Métis people. My recollection isof the Senators’ meeting when SenatorReta Gordon asked him to say theclosing prayer; it was straight from theheart; he stated it would probably behis last closing prayer as his healthwas failing.

A little verse I read somewhere:"When we are born, we come into theworld crying as people standingaround us laugh for joy, as we leavethis world, we leave smiling with joyas people around us cry"

My deepest sympathy to the familyand friends of Senator Scofield.

– Verna Porter, PCMNO Senator

Imet Senator Earl at my first AGA inThunder Bay, in 2007; we con-

nected right away. He treated me as aveteran despite the fact that I neverserved overseas. In my time, unliketoday, women did not serve in mis-sions, especially not in conflict areas.

I was very honoured to be presentat the 2007 AGA, when, amongst sixdeserving veterans, Earl received hiseagle feather from an Elder at theSacred Fire, and when he received acap, a veteran ceinture fléchée, and asketch of himself that all the senatorssigned; he was truly touched by that.

Earl was always there to answer myquestions when I was a rooky senator;he was very patient, gracious andalways friendly. He will be sorelymissed by his family, his fellow veter-ans and senators, his Métis family andthe Nation as a whole.

Earl you may have lost your bootsduring the war, but you certainlypassed into the spirit world with themon; rest in peace my dear friend.

– Senator Alis Kennedy

I ’m very saddened by the passing ofa good friend. Always gave me

knowledge and traditional values. Hissmile brought sunshine even on rainy

days. On behalf of the Sudbury MetisCouncil and myself send our thoughtsand prayers to the family.

– Senator Kempton Gravelle

Last night the Spirit, Creator, calledhome a great man of the Métis

Nation, Senator Earl Scofield-Veteran,Elder, Friend is now in the arms of thespirit. On behalf of the MNOYC Iwant to offer our sincerest condo-lences to the Scofield Family.

Let us take time to reflect on thethings the Senator brought to us in hislife. Let us take time to remember howimportant it is for us to spend timewith our elders and teachers while wecan.

My sadness is not for the Senatorwho is now at peace and exploring therealm of the spirits, but for us and ourNation who have lost a great teacher, acompass for us to all take guidancefrom. A tireless advocate for Métisyouth we can all learn so much fromhim and his actions.

Prayers will be sent out tonight andfor the next 4 nights for the Senator‘Boots’ as he crosses through that west-ern doorway, for his family, friends, theMétis Community in Windsor and forthe entire Métis Nation at this time.

We will miss you greatly Boots, butwe will never forget you or your work.

Weweni.

– Mitch Case, PCMNO Youth Rep

Creator You have called our warrior to yourprotection.

Let his spirit like an eagle soarwith the spirits of the four directions.

He has done with his time onearth. He is gone to his welcominghome on the other side, wearing hisbadge that speaks of his inherentgoodness, his quiet attention, hisrespect for others and his dignifiedbehaviour.

Great Mystery, in life you providedour Senator and Air Force veteranwith strength to overcome the bitingwinds, light to guide him on the pathhe chose, warmth along the roads hewalked, and then you smiled on himand guided him to a different flight.

Send your blessings down like agentle autumn rain falling on MotherEarth, as she cradles our brother inher arms.

Mother Earth, let winter’s snowyblanket rest lightly, so that his spiritmay be on its way like an eaglesoaring homeward.

His Spirit is free from troubles ashe makes his journey.

We offer our prayer of thanks thatyou will always be at Earl’s side on hisway to his new home.

Bless those he leaves behind, withthe strength of eagles’ wings to helpthem through this unpredictable andunavoidable time. May the songs ofwinds in the trees sweep the voidfrom their hearts.

Hear our thanks for the time withEarl. Amen.

– Joseph Poitras, PCMNO Senator

Great Creator, you have called our brother Earl to you.We ask that you welcome our brother.

I offer this sacred tobacco, as I offer the prayer for the fallen warrior asHe has gone on his long trip across the dark waters.

His spirit is now free from all that has pained him. We thankGrandfather from the east who gave Earl the light to guide him on his path.

We thank Grandfather from the south who gave him the warmthAlong the different paths that Earl chose throughout his life.

We thank Grandmother Moon who protected himWith her soft moonbeams as he slept.

We thank Grandmother Sun who helped to nourish himAnd allowed him to grow strong.

Oh Great Creator, may you send down the blessing of the rain, the softSummer rains to fall upon Mother Earth so that the little flowers may

Spring up to shed their sweet fragrance above Earl’s resting place.May Mother Earth be soft under Earl as he rests upon it, tired at

The end of his days.May Mother Earth rest softly over you Earl, that your spirit

May be out from under it quickly and up and on its way to the Creator.Long rest dear brother. You have earned it.

Hay ya! Hay ya! Tashay!as

Executive Senator, RetaGordon, reminisced aboutSenator Earl and what a

major presence he was amongthe MNO Senators, the MNOVeterans, and the MNO as awhole. “He always called me,‘ma petite soeur Métisse’ (my lit-tle Métis sister) and I alwayscalled him, ‘mon grand frèreMétis’ (my big Métis brother).”Reta recalled his arrival at the

MNO AGA 2012, and said thatone could feel a thrill go throughthe crowd, “as if the king hadjust arrived. Marion Larkmanwas the ‘matriarch’ of the MétisNation, and Earl was the ‘patri-arch.’” Reta said that she wouldlike to rededicate the prayer shecomposed for the late MarionLarkman (1926-2006) and offerit on behalf of Senator Earl.

∞

IN MEMORIAM | SENATOR EARL SCOFIELD

WWII Veteran, Métis Senator Dies at 87, 1925-2012

A Prayer for well-knownand much-loved Senator

MNO citizens remember Senator Scofield

Senator Scofield served in the Royal Air Force in WWII.


The conference attracted hun-dreds of delegates from acrossCanada, including the HonourablePaul Martin, former Prime Ministerof Canada, and Shawn A-in-chutAtleo, National Chief of the Assem-bly of First Nations, both of whomspoke at the conference. The major-ity of delegates came from Aborigi-nal governments, organizations andcommunities, or were representa-tives of other governments, post-secondary and K-12 educationalinstitutions, or researchers. In addi-tion to President Lipinski, the MNOwas also represented by Jennifer St.Germain, Director of the MNOEducation and Training Branch, andDr. Chris Paci, MNO Manager ofEducation. Director St. Germainand Dr. Paci presented on improv-ing transitions for Métis learnersfrom high school to post-secondaryinstitutions.

In his address, President Lipin-ski explained the efforts being madeby Métis governments across theMétis Homeland to improve educa-tional opportunities for Métis peo-ple, and touched on several signifi-cant successes. He also drew the

delegates’ attention to areas whereprogress has been slow or impededby the jurisdictional barrierbetween federal and provincial gov-ernments and compounded byproblems of social and economicdisparity--including poverty, poorhealth and inadequate housing--that to this day result in lower thanaverage education and employmentoutcomes for Métis.

Despite difficulties, however,President Lipinski made it clear theMétis Nation is succeeding. “We aremoving beyond federal inaction,”he told the audience. “Jurisdictionalwrangling will not block progress tothe detriment of Métis people andall Canadians. We will continue touse our relationship with the federalgovernment under the Métis NationProtocol and our relationship withthe provinces through the Aborigi-nal Affairs Working Group toadvance this process. If Ottawa andthe provinces are truly committedto improving living conditions forMétis people, it is time to abandonexcuses for not working with usand instead build on our successfultrack record of delivering results.”

By Chris McLeodMNO Education Officer / Analyst

Education Kits are flyingoff the shelves! The MNOEducation and Training

Branch has had an increase indemand for Education Kits fromteachers, school boards andcommunity members. Severalschool boards have ordereddozens of copies of the Educa-tion Kit as a resource for everyschool within their board.

The Education Kit is contin-uously being improved with newresources and better tools foreducators. In addition, the MNOEducation staff will begin work-ing with teachers this school yearon Professional Developmentsessions that highlight the Edu-cation Kit and provide informa-tion on Métis in Ontario. ATeachers Guide is currently indevelopment to enhance the use-fulness of the Education Kit andto give teachers lessons they canuse in their classrooms.

The MNO is producinganother set of kits this fall andwill be distributing themthroughout the year. If you are aMétis educator interested inlearning more about the kit orgetting your hands on one,please contact us!

Chris McLeodMNO Education Officer/Analyst

[email protected]

On October 4, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)President, Gary Lipinski, spoke on behalf ofMétis National Council (MNC) President,

Clément Chartier, at the Indigenous EducationSummit held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

MNO represents Métis Nation at Indigenous Education Summit

Reaching out to Métis students

MNO President Gary Lipinski speaks at the IndigenousEducation Summit in October.

EDUCATION KITS

Métiseducationkits flyingoff theshelves

Helping first-year Métis studentsadjust to post-secondary life

If Ottawa and theprovinces are truly committed toimproving living conditions forMétis people, it is time to abandonexcuses for not working with usand instead build on our successful track record of delivering results.

With support from the Ministry of TrainingColleges and Universities, the InfiniteReach Network officially began last Sep-

tember (2011) with Infinite Reach facilitators at a num-ber of colleges and universities. Each of these facilitatorsengaged first-year Métis students and helped themadjust to student life. Over the course of the last yearthere were approximately 25 separate cultural activitiesand information events run by our Infinite Reach facil-itators, each of which helped to create a culturally safespace at their schools and encouraged Métis studentsto proudly identify with our culture and traditions.

September, 2012, marks the start of the InfiniteReach Network’s second year and even more collegesand universities are involved with both returning andnew facilitators—a positive sign that the network willcontinue to succeed and grow.

In July, facilitators were brought together for the Infi-nite Reach intake and orientation. This first meetingwas spent discussing the various roles and responsibil-ities of facilitators and exploring strategies for engagingMétis students, particularly those in their first year. Ifyou or someone you know is a Métis student at one ofthe colleges or universities listed you are invited to con-tact the facilitator at your school. Together, we can builda community of Métis learners that will work to sup-port Métis students as they navigate postsecondarystudies.

If your school is not listed and you are interested in becoming part of the Infinite Reach network, please contact Benny Michaud ([email protected]).

INFINITE REACH | STUDENT SOLIDARITY NETWORK

The MNO isproducing anotherset of kits this fall

and will bedistributing them

throughout the year.

2012 Infinite Reach Facilitators

Tegan Mandeville Loyalist College [email protected]

Marie-Louise Lariviere Wilfrid Laurier University [email protected]

Christine Skura Ryerson University [email protected]

Tera Beaulieu University of Toronto [email protected]

Tammy Porter Nipissing University [email protected]

Janine Landry Lakehead University [email protected]

Gabrielle Victoria Fayant Carleton University [email protected]

Brad Lafortune University of Ottawa [email protected]

Sahra Maclean University of Ottawa [email protected]

Nikki Doucette Sault College [email protected]

Melody Chislett-Morris Sault College [email protected]

Phoebe Mandry College Boreal [email protected]

Sylvie Forest Cambrian College [email protected]

Genevieve Routhier Cambrian College [email protected]

Jada Whalen Fleming College [email protected]

Ryan Dinsmore University of Toronto [email protected]

Kevin King University of Guelph [email protected]

Maddy Arkle Western [email protected]

Mitchell Case Algoma University [email protected]

Emilie Bouffard Queen’s University [email protected]


An opportunity and a promise

Education is the new buffalo

A career with just rewardsBy Kelly HonsbergerTORONTO

For Trevor Winter, the decisionto become a lawyer was a mat-ter of finding joy and purpose

in his work, but becoming a lawyercan be daunting in more ways thanone. In Canada, any practicinglawyer must complete the barexam—one of the most difficult andexhaustive exams in any chosencareer. As Trevor said, “The amountof material that you have to learn foreach exam and the amount of time ittakes to write each exam is almostlike running a mental marathon.”

The financial obstacles, as well asthe stress of preparing for what

amounts to two full days of exams(six hours each) that test one’sknowledge on the many complexi-ties and facets of Canadian law,would be difficult for anyone. Trevorsought out the MNO to see if anyassistance was possible and wasmore than relieved to learn he wouldbe approved for the funding heneeded to enroll in a preparatorycourse for the challenging exam.

“The money I received from theMNO was for the Bar AdmissionCourse that is done by the Law Soci-ety of Upper Canada. By completingthis course and writing the two barexams it will allow me to be called tothe bar.”

Trevor recounts just how trying

that time was: “To properly study forthe bar exams I had to sacrificealmost an entire summer. I lockedmyself in the windowless library ofour building so that I couldn’t seewhat I was missing outside. I wouldstudy from 9:00 A.M. until about9:00 or 10:00 P.M. To overcome thestress I would make sure that I ranevery morning before I studied,spending what free time I did havewith my wife.”

Difficult as it was, Trevor isunflinching in his appreciation forthe people who believed in his goaland his ability to reach it. “The sup-port of my wife and family reallyhelped me during the most stressfultimes.”

That support paid off. After suc-cessfully passing his bar exam,Trevor found employment with theMinistry of the Attorney General.The importance he places on main-taining a close connection with hisheritage and community led him tohis involvement with AboriginalLegal Aid, where he now sits on theboard of directors.

He says: “The reason that I chosethis career is because I love how thelaw works and how it can shape ourlives. There are so many intricaciesto the law that you are always learn-ing something new and being chal-lenged. The most rewarding aspectof my career is knowing that I ammaking a difference.”

By Joshua Berard

My name is Joshua Berardand [I] was selected toreceive the $200 bursary

for Métis students. I am from Ren-frew Ontario, located in the OttawaValley. I live in a family of fiveincluding myself, my mother andfather and my brother and sisterwho are both done university andwell on their way and structuringtheir lives. My parents are bothextremely supportive but cannothelp me financially as my father can-not work as he will undergochemotherapy to cure his condition;both my parents have native bloodin their ancestry.

I went to St. Joseph’s CatholicHigh-school and ever since I tookdrama I immediately fell in love withthe program. My teacher in factwanted me to drive to Toronto to bein a university student film when Iwas in grade 10, but sadly, I couldnot make the drive; now I studydrama while planning to get myteaching degree although at heart Iwant to be a famous film actor.

I am still amidst my studying andjust getting out there; so far withoutcommitting to the field fully I havealready taken part in two pilot uni-versity run episodes and The RockyHorror Picture Show. I plan on build-ing it much more before I graduateso I have a strong portfolio when Ibecome part of an agency/ACTRA.

This bursary has made a hugedifference. I had a misunderstandingwith my OSAP and every little bithelps. I plan on using this to make apayment towards my Brock accountto slowly pay it off before the year’send. This bursary is a huge help toall students of Métis descent. Ipromise this bursary will not go towaste and you will be happy to havegiven me this opportunity.

By Shanyn Porter

Iam the lucky recipient of a $200bursary, awarded to me to assistwith my studies here at Brock

University as I go through my parttime studies, working towards a sub-sequent degree, in the Bachelor ofEducation (Adult Education) pro-gram.

Last spring I became inspired bythe Aboriginal people I teach atNiagara College in their pre-appren-ticeship programs and I knew thatthe direction my career would take,would be to work with my commu-

nity, my culture of learners, and helpthem become strong to make posi-tive changes for their future.

Recently I have heard the term“Education is the new Buffalo”, andthis couldn’t be more true. Aborigi-nal people have been ready for along time to embrace this idea, andopportunities are beginning to openthemselves up, and I need to be apart of that. This degree I am work-ing towards now, helps me to be ableto continue down a path of educat-ing others and helping them achievesuccesses. Thank you again for thisbursary.

By Janna LoyerBrock University

Thank you very much for thebursary you have awardedme. My goal is to be an occu-

pational therapist and I am enrolledin the Kinesiology program here atBrock University.

Although I will be qualified towork when I graduate, I am inter-ested in further education to increasemy knowledge in the field. That iswhy I have decided to come back foranother semester to take more classesand improve my eligibility for a Mas-ters of Occupational Therapy.

Being awarded this bursary helpsme achieve those goals. The moneyyou have awarded me will be veryuseful to use towards my books andtuition so I can work less hours andfocus on school more in my lastsemester of my undergrad degree. Iam proud to be Métis and I wouldlike to thank you for supporting me.

By Yannick LieberNiagara College

Please accept this letter as a signof my appreciation for yourconsiderate assistance to help-

ing me fulfill my schooling. I am sograteful to have received such a gen-erous gift that has already helped meto a great extent. With the amount ofeffort and time required to performwell, the financial assistance you’vegranted me will surely enable me toto focus on my studies.

Though pursuing post-secondarystudies may be a substantial invest-ment, I am positive that it will bene-fit my future success. Your supportin helping me reach my goal of hav-ing an active career in business is ofsuch great value to me. Thank you.

MNO EDUCATION AND TRAINING | STUDENT SUCCESS

Aspiring actor/teacher

New horizons opening up for Métis people

The money I receivedfrom the MNO was for

the Bar AdmissionCourse that is done by

the Law Society ofUpper Canada. Bycompleting this

course and writingthe two bar exams itwill allow me to becalled to the bar.

Aspiring Métis lawyer passes the bar with a little help from the MNO

Investing inthe future

Help toachieveeducationgoals

My parents are bothextremely supportivebut cannot help mefinancially...


MNO and Niagara College enter into education partnership

Tissés des liens avec les écoles francophones de l’Ontario

Métis studentreceivesscholarship

A commitment to forge lasting relationships between post-secondary institutions and MNO

On September 30, 2012, theMétis Nation of Ontario(MNO) and Niagara Col-

lege signed a historic Memoran-dum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU is intended tostrengthen and formalize the long-standing positive working relation-ship between MNO and NiagaraCollege. This document establishesseveral key areas for collaborationand partnership. These includeincreasing Métis participation in,and access to, Niagara programs andservices; engaging in joint Métisresearch initiatives; and, promotingMétis content across the curriculum.

MNO President, Gary Lipinski,said, “Niagara College is the thir-teenth post-secondary institution inthe province to recognize andaddress the unique needs of Métisand to agree to work in partnershipto ensure that programming offeredat the college addresses those needs.”

The MOU with Niagara Collegeis part of a larger relationship build-ing process of bilateral partnershipswith post-secondary institutions thatincludes a MOU signed between theMNO and the Ministry of Training,Colleges and Universities. According

to President Lipinski, “this MOU isa significant achievement for theMétis people in Ontario because itdemonstrates a commitment to forgea lasting relationship between post-secondary institutions and theMNO. The agreement with NiagaraCollege builds on the MNO-OntarioFramework Agreement, which theprovince signed with the MNO overtwo years ago.”

Niagara College has a longstand-ing commitment to fostering leader-ship and development with bothAboriginal and non-Aboriginal stu-dents, and to advancing the under-standing of Aboriginal cultures, her-itage and languages within the col-lege and broader communities.

“We’re very pleased to have citi-zens of the Métis Nations of Ontarioas current standing members of ourAboriginal Education ManagementCircle, and as part of our growingpopulation of students and gradu-ates,” said Dr. Dan Patterson, Presi-dent of Niagara College. “This agree-ment allows both institutions towork together as partners in thedevelopment and delivery of post-secondary education and trainingprograms for Aboriginal students.”

About Niagara College

Niagara College offers more than100 diploma, bachelor degree andadvanced level programs at campusesin Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake,and Niagara Falls, as well as morethan 600 credit, vocational, and gen-

eral interest Continuing Educationcourses. Areas of specializationinclude food and wine sciences;advanced technology; media; appliedhealth; and, community safety, allsupported by unique learning enter-prises in food, wine, beer, horticultureand esthetics.

ÉCOLE FRANCOPHONE STUDENT SUCCESS

EDUCATION | MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Métis Nation of OntarioPresident Gary Lipinskiand Niagara CollegePresident Dr. DanPatterson sign aMemorandum ofUnderstanding onSeptember 30th, 2012.

Le secteur de l’éducation etformation de la NMO a faitses débuts auprès des con-

seils scolaires francophones. Le développement des relations

entre les conseils scolaire et lesconseils communautaires Métisseà entamer des discussions departage incluant : les intérêts quenous avons en commun, de fairele tour des questions ou des défis

que nos étudiants métisses fontface, le succès et la rétention desélèves, l’auto identification, pouren nommer que quelques ‘un. Lesconseils scolaires francophonessont ravis d’avoir la chance decréer des partenariats avec lescitoyens de la NMO et de faireconnaissance des ressourcesdisponibles qui ont été développéavec du contenu spécifiquement

Métis. De plus, les conseils scolaires

sont invités à communiquer avecle secteur de l’éducation lors deleur recherche de gens disponiblespour les présentations dans la sallede classe. Nous sommes fières defaire la promotion des connais-sances et la sagesse inestimable denos sénateurs, sénatrices, nosainés(es), les membres des con-

seils communautaires, les jeunesreprésentants(es), les animateurs(rices) « d’Infinite Reach » et lepersonnel de la NMO.

La fierté d’un ou une Métisseest le gage de notre survie et denotre épanouissement. Nousavons un héritage linguistique etculturel d’une valeur inestimable àpartager avec tous.

Congrats to MNO citizen ThomasVezina of Timmins, who was the

recipient of an $18,400 scholarshipto enter the first year of a three yearDenturism program at George BrownCollege. Health Canada’s First Nationsand Inuit Health Branch providesfunding for bursaries and scholar-ships in health sciences such as med-icine, nursing, dentistry, clinical psy-chology, physiotherapy, pharmacyand laboratory research.

MNO launchesMétis MiningStrategy

We often read in the papers aboutgovernment programs in northernCanada that are aimed at gettingpeople trained for jobs, in particu-lar in areas where mines and otherlarge scale developments are

occurring. The majority of these programsare limited in scope. We have not seen alarge number of Métis men and womeninvolved in the mining sector becausethere was limited funding for trainingMétis for the full range of good jobs in thesector. It was rare to meet Métis account-ants, geologists, environmental specialists,caterers, or managers working in the min-ing sector. The industry offers many posi-tions with large companies and increas-ingly there are very good jobs with smalland junior mining companies and theirsubcontractors.

Thanks to new funding from the Gov-ernment of Canada, we can now provideassistance through the Métis Mining Strat-egy. Statistics Canada predicts that theaging labour force in Canada will result inlabour shortages in the not too distantfuture in a host of occupations. At thesame time, the average age of the Métispopulation in Ontario is around 26. Oursis a young and growing population and ifwe are to take advantage of the wave ofskilled job shortages, we need to makesure the community has the skills to meetfuture needs. The time is right for theMétis Nation of Ontario (MNO) to launchthis new innovative program to assistMétis men and women to become awareand train for these good jobs.

Through the Métis Mining Strategy, theMNO will connect companies with stu-

dents looking for careers in the miningindustry. The MNO will provide partici-pating employers with key informationand assistance:

• Access to a talent pool of students whoare pursuing a wide range of areas ofstudy, including those enrolled inMaster and Ph.D. programs;

• Support in identifying students thatmeet a given company’s labour mar-ket needs;

• Wage subsidies for student place-ments for 30 hour/week for 12weeks.At the same time, MNO will seek out

Métis students who are aware of all theopportunities the mining sector affords.We will try to match students to miningcompanies where they can get exciting on-the-job work experience. The Métis Min-ing Strategy will be able to assist withtuition, books and other costs related tothe higher education of Métis students.Students will be enrolled in degree anddiploma programs throughout Ontario,and work placements will take place atmine sites and corporate offices through-out Ontario.

The MNO is looking for mining indus-try partners and 90 students over the nextthree years. Shortly, we will have staff andan advisory committee in place for theprogram, which will include representa-tives of the mining industry, colleges anduniversities. If you’re digging it, you canget more information on this great oppor-tunity by contacting: Scott Carpenter,Manager of Projects and Partnership - MNOMétis Mining Strategy, at 705-527-9363 [email protected].

By Chris Paci, Manager of Education; Scott Carpenter, Manager of Projects andPartnership; Jennifer St. Germain, Director of Education and Training

A commitment to forge lasting relationshipsbetween post-secondary institutions and MNO

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Midwinter 2012, Issue no. 73MÉTISVOYAGEUR24

Committee Members needed

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MÉTISVOYAGEUR SSUE O - Métis Nation of Ontario Claus isn’t coming to town; he’s already here and he’s Métis. In private life his name is Raymond Tremblay, but in the Christmas