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Keep busy at the North Shore Community Centre z | Page 5 Volume 14 Number 1 | 50¢
January 7, 2015
open for business 250.376.2411
Start the year with Riel Arts Coffee House If you are looking for some inspiration and creativity to join your life in 2015, why not check out some of the super fabulous cultural associations and agencies around the North Shore. Without a doubt, the North Shore is the epicentre of people, a place where cultures meet and people converge. One such place is Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services. What is Lii Michif Otipemisiwak? Formerly known as the Interior Metis, the name changed to better reflect their history, past and future. The Métis people have a rich and interesting history in this country. They were the first descendants of the union between First Nations and Europeans and are a people distinguished by their independence, individuality and resilience. The Cree referred to Métis people as Otipemisiwak, which means “the people who own themselves” or “the people who govern themselves”. In short Lii Michif Otipemisiwak is a place for the Metis or Michif of the area to come together and learn about, share and retain or regain their culture. And they want to share it all with you, the people of Kamloops.
A&W CHARITY PLUS GOLF TOURNAMENT
Norman Fleury was the Director of the Michif Language Project for the MMF from 1998 to 2008 and during this time produced the first-ever Canadian Michif Language Dictionary in Canada. Norman has worked with and continues to work with well known Métis Education and publication institutions such as Gabriel Dumont Institute in Saskatoon, SK, and the Louis Riel Institute with the MMF in Winnipeg, MB.
“We have been right here at 707 Tranquille Road for a couple of years now,” explains Jody Kidder. “We have all kinds of interesting classes, programs and workshops. One of our newest ones is the Riel Arts Coffee House, which we started in October. It is a time for everyone to get together and share artistic talents. You choose the medium,
whether painting, beading or anything in between. We provide all the materials and our hope is that this program will become self-sustaining by selling and rolling over any profits to keep the program running.” The Riel Arts Coffee House happens most Friday nights from 7:00 to 8:30pm. They have an active core group who attends
but want everyone to know that it is open and free to join. In addition to sharing in the artistic talents of the Metis, they May 19 also haveThursday, many other interesting things going on at the centre. They have a children’s jigging class, Michif Adult Jigging Troupe, Father’s Meeting Place, openElder for business Meet an night250.376.2411 and beadwork circle and much more. An upcoming highlight is a weekend long Michif Language Immersion program with Michif Elder Norman Fleury. “Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services is pleased to have renowned Elder and author, Norman Fleury join us for a weekend of Michif language,” explains Jody. “Norman is an author of many books, Michif dictionaries and literature. Norman recently finished putting together a 5000 plus word Michif Dictionary together, including 500 phrases in Michif. He has developed curriculum to teach the Michif language and is currently teaching at the Gabriel Dumont Institute. We are very excited to have someone with his calibre of experience facilitate this Michif language immersion weekend program for us. Space is limited - continued on page 2
Half price appies 3-6pm Mon-Fri • Wing Wednesdays • Live Music every Saturday Exceptional quality and incredible food choices • Cold Beer & Wine Store 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Every Thursday at 8:00pm
843 Desmond Street
MUSIC 250-376-4397
www.poguemahonekamloops.com