The Outpost News - Autumn 2008

OUTPOST

NEWS

Aen Kishkishiyak Ka Kee Ishe Pimawtishiyawk - Remembering Our Culture AUTUMN 2008

Bluewater - Aboriginal PAD Day A Huge Success

The display and people who represented local Métis and their communities at PAD Day, in cooperation with the Bluewater District Board of Education.

September 26th PAD day for Bluewater District Board of Education Bluewater Character Development Showing Respect - Building Trust On September 26, 2008, the Bluewater District Board of Education partnered with the Aboriginal Communities in their district to provide cultural awareness with a focus on respect for the benefit of the 2,000 employees of the school board.

Three venues, WHSS, OSCVI and Bayshore Community Center were designated for various cultural displays and available resources to assist teachers in their approach to teaching aboriginal students.

Speaker for the day was Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse from Laurentian University in Sudbury. Her article on Supporting Aboriginal Student Success:

Self Esteem and Identity is highly respected in the education system.

Welcoming the employee body from WHSS school, and broadcast to all venues were: from the Saugeen and Cape Croker First Nations Councils, Chief Randall Kahgee and Chief Ralph Akiwenzie, with Senator Roland St Germain representing the Métis community.

The Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre was the venue chosen for the Métis community to illustrate their cultural heritage and to provide entertainment in Métis style.

On behalf of the Métis Nation of Ontario, PCMNO Senator Roland St Germain welcomed the 2,000 employees of the Bluewater District Board of Education to the events of the day.

Senator and Jane St Germain provided a condensed cultural display,

with backboards showing the time line of the Métis movement.

The St Germains also set up an extensive book display and resource list that specifically edifies Métis history and customs.

Rudy Couture joined in the proceedings and along with Senator Leora Wilson, entertained the group with Métis fiddling and turtulage (spoon playing) during the lunch break.

During the afternoon agenda, Jim McLay, president of the Sagingue Métis Council spoke with much passion on the history of the Métis people in the Georgian Bay region.

Rounding off the day, Cecile Wagar, manager of the Olivine Bousquet Métis Dancers, in cooperation with the Oshawa Métis Council, brought several members of her wonderfully talented group of young Métis jiggers to show their abilities.

The Métis influence in this area was made very evident to the members of the School Board, and we hope that they comprehend that as an aboriginal culture we are characteristically different from the First Nations.

Our grandmothers, or great grandmothers, were born First Nations women, and married the European fur traders and voyageurs. Each brought their unique lifestyle, and the combination of the two cultures made existence in the untamed country of that era more manageable. The children of this union became mixed blood (Métis), and the distinctive Métis culture was created.

We wish to thank the Bluewater District School Board for their organization and inclusion of the Métis Nation in this “Bluewater Character Development” Day. ~Senator Leora Wilson

A collage of happenings at the July National Aboriginal Day festivities at Grey Roots Museum in Owen Sound, ON.

2008 Aboriginal Day Picnic Another Success

June 24, 2008 marked another special National Aboriginal Day picnic for the Grey Owen Sound Métis, this time in special collaboration with the Grey Roots Museum in Owen Sound.

We’d like to thank Petal Furness and Grey Roots for their unrelenting support, which was integral to having the day happen.

Scott Carpenter from Midland was there with his wonderful display of historic Métis artifacts. After the “grand entry”, a delicious picnic meal was enjoyed by all attendees.

Then games for the youth were paramount, with snowshoe races being the best enjoyed.

The Brenda Willis Band, Rudy & Jean Couture,

Dave Dillon and Cavan Young performed in the main theatre inside the museum, while outside, draws were being made for giveaways. Thanks are due to a band of Métis volunteers who donated gifts, as well as Country 93, who dropped in later in the day to donate more prizes.

Plans are under way for the 2009 picnic and volunteers are being sought.

If you have any ideas for making the picnic an even greater success, particularly any events and/or activities encouraging the interest and involvement of youth, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you!

Reflections On The Change Of Seasons As we again experience the changes

in the season, so we experience many changes in our everyday existence.

Changes may be minimal day by day, but over time they become quite noticeable. The days become months and then years, leaving us bewildered as to how time has disappeared.

We all have a tendency to take the seasons and life for granted, and we may forget to be thankful for the many blessings that we receive in our lives.

Now… today is the time to show our loved ones, our family and friends that they are important, that they have made a difference.

Individuals constantly cross our paths and touch our souls …. always for a reason.

We are not always able to understand what the reason is, but each individual that touches our lives leaves a lasting impression somehow. Each encounter shapes our thoughts and actions in many ways.

We learn from each encounter, and recognize that this is part of our small life span. We have no guarantees, no time limits. We are here for as long as we are here. We are not indispensable.

Someone will always take over where we left off.

The Outpost News is also undergoing change. We are attempting to continue with news and events in the Grey-Owen Sound area. We hope to provide communication that focuses on community; hopefully on youth and seniors activities, etc.

We are mostly contented in our own lifestyles. It is sometimes uncomfortable to step outside the box. But if you have a few hours a month to offer to your Métis community, we would be glad to hear from you. Our community needs those citizens who can present fresh ideas, new energy, and diverse talents. You can make a difference!!

Let us know your interests. What would you like to see happening at a

Are You Able To Help With The 2009 Metis Summer Picnic?

community level?

We hope the coming season brings much love, good health and pleasures.

We hope to meet you soon.

Leora

Let us know!!

LEORA: 519-986-2746 JEFF: 519-923-9160 or any GOSMC council member.

MNOTI Testimonial: Rebekah Wilson, Sheridan College Second Year, Print Journalism

With a year of studies behind me, and only one more to go, what better way to express myself than in writing?

Nearly two years ago I realized how passionate I was about the art of writing, and wanted to study journalism. I perused different colleges and university and was beyond satisfied when I decided on Sheridan College’s Print Journalism program. I was ecstatic when I found out I was accepted and couldn’t wait to start learning all aspects of writing and creating media.

The first few months were a struggle, as I was faced with a workload much beyond anything I had experienced in high school. I was in a school that occupied more than a city block, with thousands of people I didn’t know. I combated my fears by immersing myself fully in my studies and it certainly paid off.

Among academic worries, I started to become anxious about finances.

How would I pay my rent? Would I have enough money for groceries? But I didn’t allow these worries to interfere with my dedication to school.

I began working a part-time job answering phones at a dance studio, and spent many nights awake until 3 or 4 a.m. finishing homework assignments and studying for tests. My grades were threatened when I realized how absolutely exhausted I was, and needed a solution.

At exactly the right moment, I received a phone call notifying me of my acceptance for funding by the MNOTI (Metis Nation of Ontario Training Initiatives). I was so grateful, and suddenly had a newfound appreciation for my background. I could once again focus all of my energies on studying and preparing for my future career.

Funding from the MNOTI has greatly enhanced my college experience, and made me appreciate the gifts that I have been given.

I hope that when I am finished my time here at Sheridan, I will be a great representative of the talents that Metis and aboriginal youth have to offer.

The OUTPOST NEWS Publisher: Leora Wilson Editor: Jeff Wilson Next Publishing Deadline is February 28, 2009 ------------------

GREY OWEN SOUND METIS COUNCIL

President:

MALCOLM DIXON Vice Pres:

JEFF WILSON Treasurer:

VACANT Councillors:

TONY COUTURE

PETER COTURE

PETER GENDRON Senator:

LEORA WILSON

Community Calendar Buffalo Hide Moccasin Workshop.

December 7, 2008 at GOSM/AHWS office, 380-9th St E. (basement - United Way Building), Owen Sound. 9:00AM 4-5 hour workshop. Cost: $35.00. Includes leather, tools, instruction & snack. For info & sign-up, call Malcolm Dixon, 519-3761922.

November 23rd Christmas Potluck/ General Meeting 1:00PM is potluck and gift exchange.

(Each person should bring a gift worth no more than $5.00 and food) 2:00PM is General Meeting.

Vest Workshop/Jigging?

After our very successful moccasin workshop in March, 2008, we are considering a leather vest workshop for the coming winter. We are also considering a jigging class for youth, adults, or both. All those interested, please let us know.

For information... on Metis Community happenings or assistance with problems concerning your membership, please contact Leora at 519986-2746 or Malcolm at 519-376-1922.

‘Duty-to-Consult’ Meetings Being Planned For Bruce Nuclear Waste Depository The Bruce Nuclear Power facility has contacted local Métis to set up ‘Duty-to-Consult’ meetings over their proposals to build a deep-earth nuclear depository. At this point, all that is known to local Métis com-

munities is that the construction and maintenance of the proposed facility has been slated for someplace in the Grey-Bruce area. Stay tuned to local media and plan to attend any and all of these meetings.

Meet Kurv Makkappalil - AHWS Rep.

Born in India, Kurv came to Canada at age 11 and graduated Lakehead University, Thunder Bay. Specializing in sociology and social work, Kurv has travelled North America extensively. The Grey-Owen Sound Metis Community/ Aboriginal Healing & Wellness Strategy office is located at 380-9th St E. (bottom floor of United Way Building) in Owen Sound.

You are welcome to drop in and meet Kurv, the new AHWS co-ordinator any time. He would be glad to meet you and help in any way he can.

Hydro ONE Bruce to Milton Line

A small but enthusiastic assembly of MNO Citizens attended a meeting presented by MNO and hosted by Grey-Owen Sound Métis Community on November 1st. Guests were Stewart Morton, Hydro One, two Reps from environmental consulting firm AECOM (Gartner Lee Limited), Pauline Saulnier, Reg. 7 Councillor, MNO representatives Tim Pile, Glen Lipinski, Bob Waldon (Natural Resources and Environmental & Community Relations). The meeting was held to inform Métis citizens of the proposed Bruce to Milton Power Line construction and the environmental impact on land in close proximity to the corridor.

A slide presentation of the proposed hydro line from Bruce to Milton was made by Mr. Morton, showing steps planned to reduce impact on surrounding environ-

ment, including the replacement of trees felled during the construction phase. The questions posed to Mr. Morton were very pertinent and many important issues were touched on, (effects on health, eco balance, etc). Morton advised that more info about this project is available online at www.HydroOneNetworks.com/BrucetoMilton.

Representatives of an environmental consultant firm hired by the MNO shared their observations of the presentation. Among their concerns were the length of time it actually takes to replace lost eco systems, and times of the year that environmental studies were done by Hydro One. The group updated Métis land use mapping done Winter 2007/2008, noting hunting, fishing, gathering etc on traditional territory. Lunch was served with discussion and social time. ~Report by Senator Leora Wilson, Grey-Owen Sound Métis Council.