Annual Report, Year two, 2009-2010

Region 4 Message from Vice President, Sharon A. Pasula

Hello all my relations,

In September I will have been in office two years and I must agree with those who advocate for four year terms. Three years is not long enough to initiate and complete substantive new initiatives particularly when taking on a new position with little resources. The first year is spent setting up office, finding one’s place in the MNA and in the community and establishing and building new relationships through networking. The second year you see more clearly gaps that have existed for too long a time and then notice emerging ones that need to be addressed. What to do. Deciding which areas to focus on is a challenge then one must decide if there will be enough time to accomplish them especially with an election looming.

Nevertheless, I constantly seek the Creator’s guidance and He has been faithful. My calling to this position has been challenging and fruitful. A Métis voice has been heard again in the old familiar places and for the first time in others. It is unfortunately, still very much pioneer work. Having spent most of my time in various communities, I see that in 2010 there are still too many people who know little or nothing about the Métis and some are still saying about some of our issues, “That was in the past, get over it.” These people remain uninformed of how the past – both recent and ancient history, always affects the future. It is not possible to “get over it” or “move on”. If you break a leg and it grows back crooked, can you just “move on?” No. It should be reset at the cost of more great pain. Ask the German’s and Jewish people if they still don’t feel the burn of the holocaust, for example. And so it is in our community. We are the ones who must point out the brokenness and determine ways to move toward wellness and wholeness. It is our responsibility to educate with understanding and patience. I feel this is the Creator’s direction for year three of my term.

With thanksgiving I embrace who the Creator has made me, a mixed blood, called Métis, in the now called country of Canada. It is with a spirit of thankfulness that I report below on selected activities I have carried out on behalf of the Métis people of Zone IV, and beyond, during the second year of my term.


Brief Summary of Selected Activities of Regional Vice President;

• Advocacy at numerous meetings and events – Ensuring the Métis voice is heard. For example, attendances included the appeal at city hall to support the demolition order of the Cromdale Hotel – some of our members live in the area and the greatest concern was for safety, participation and advocacy at Seniors Open Mic(rophone) at the Carrot Café in conjunction with Windsorhouse, the ‘Community Ideas Fair’ at City Hall – ideas to facilitate increased casual and informal activity on Sir Winston Churchill Square, participated in a forum ‘Racism Free Edmonton’ as a Métis leader, etc.

• Raise issues at the provincial council on behalf of citizens: for example, cost of replacement citizen card, maintaining consistency in the bylaws both at the registration level and in practice, housing issues, etc.

• Presentations about Métis culture and spirituality. An example includes presentations at Kings College University Education 353 course for elementary and secondary education students. The module is designed to give students an increased awareness of the culture, history and challenges of Canada’s first peoples.

• Information networking with community. One of many outcomes was participation by one of Zone IV’s Métis youth in the Olympics. Story and picture in the Otipemisiwak Spring Issue 2010.

• Answering general inquiries, Many inquiries regarding membership, training opportunities, housing etc. were answered.

• Individual advocacy. Examples include advocating for a member who has concerns related to the residential school compensation. I attend events relating to residential school in order to better answer questions and advocate more intelligently. Another member had problems with neighbours – I assisted by establishing contact with a community police liaison for intervention.

• Responding to invitations with positive participation. Examples include: Sing Métis National Anthem at City Hall during Métis Week, an invitation to attend the Aboriginal Commission on Human Rights & Justices’ launch of its report “Aboriginal Perspective on Human Rights in Alberta” which took place at city hall with the Mayor participating, request to say the opening grace at the “Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast” having 500 in attendance, serving as an Aboriginal history quiz judge at Prince Charles School – Zone IV made a donation to six of the winning students, participate on the Aboriginal Nominating Committee for board member of Homeward Trust, National Summit, Journey of Freedom, Ottawa, June 11-13 – regarding the Prime Minister’s Apology about the residential school policy. Aboriginal leaders nationally were invited to attend the dialogue and respond. The Prime Minister sent a videotaped message in reply to the response. Minister Chuck Strahl attended on behalf of the Prime Minister. Several other Members of Parliament and dignitaries, local, regional and international made up some of the several thousand people that attended, Court Case, Medicine Hat, June 21-23. In spite of severe flooding final arguments were heard with an expected answer in October of this year, Remembering the Children Ceremony, June 30 Fort Normandeau Interpretive Centre, west of Red Deer, a ceremony to remember the children from First Nations and Métis communities who were students at the Red Deer Industrial School (1893-1919), a residential school operated by the Methodist Church (now the United Church of Canada) and the federal government. In attendance were leaders from the Four Bands of Hobbema, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House, Manitoba), Paul First Nation, Stoney Nakoda First Nations, Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Whitefish First Nation (Goodfish), the Métis Nation of Alberta, Truth & Reconciliation Commissioners and The United Church of Canada, Back To Batoche Days, SK.,

• Attend conferences and events/Professional development: Including: Aboriginal Women and Leadership: A Day of Reflection – session titles: Aboriginal Leaders in Action, Looking towards History for Models, Aboriginal Health Awareness Week – contributed towards the planning of the event– this is where I heard Dr. Cora Weber-Pillwax speak and asked her to be a plenary speaker at the Creative Age Festival Symposium, Alberta Premier’s Prayer Breakfast – this was organized by the premier’s office and was very well attended. Some good networking took place.
(A few noteworthy events mentioned, not all that were attended are mentioned)

• Attendance and active participation at local (Gunn, Drayton Valley, Wetaskiwin), regional and provincial council, and Métis National Council meetings.

• Support the Métis community generally. For example: attended Delia Grey event, Louie Riel Day Ceremony, Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards, Back to Batoche Days, several funerals and memorial services (including Homer Poitras), etc.

• Support Aboriginal community events generally. These included attending the declaration of June as Aboriginal month in the provincial legislature, Akina Shirt & Friends Benefit Concert, Asani CD release party, performing at the Creating Hope Society fundraiser, guest speaker at Norquest College.

• Support a variety of initiatives including funding : Including writing several letters of support for proposals. These included a research proposal entitled “A Narrative Inquiry into the Educational Experiences of Urban Aboriginal Youth and their Families” which received funding, Shining Mountains Living Community Services in its effort to secure funding as the Provincial Aboriginal HIV/AIDS organization whose purpose is to assist in filling existing gaps in services for Métis and Aboriginal People Living Off-Reserve, support the nomination of a Métis student in school for a bursary, support letter for the Edmonton Urban Native Ministry who support a wide variety of Aboriginal people in programming, use of computers, referrals, clothing exchange, etc.

• Michif Cultural & Métis Resource Institute: Continued the working relationship with Michif Centre staff. Also, facilitated the acquisition of an original nine –foot long pew from the old church at Lac Ste Anne before it was torn down. Several light fixtures installed later in the old church were also acquired and donated to the museum as well.

• Participation on committees, boards, and organizations: Edmonton Senior’s Coordinating Council – Aboriginal board member, Citizen’s Advisory Committee, Edmonton Institution for Women – Aboriginal representative, Native Healing Centre – board member, Citizen’s Response To Urban Disorder (CRUD) – member, Creative Age Festival – steering committee member, Creative Age Festival – Chair- symposium, Centre For Race and Culture – member.

• Commendation: Invited as an honored guest to the Creating Hope Society Blanket of Remembrance Round Dance – participation in the honor song.

The above is a small sampling of activities undertaken. Please feel free to contact me for more information or with any concerns or needs you would like to see addressed.


Veterans Portfolio

General information:
• MNC launched the Métis Nation Veterans Web Portal (May 22, 2009) – this new website will help share the stories of Métis Nation Veterans, celebrate their contributions to Canada, and help ensure every Métis Nation veteran has access to all the benefits and services they are entitled.
• Remembering our fallen soldiers – The Wetaskiwin Local attended Remembrance Day Ceremonies on November 11, 2009 to lay wreaths. (photo in the Winter 2010 issue of Otipemisiwak)

• The Memory Project: Stories of the Second World War event December 11, 2009 at the Kingsway Legion. www.thememoryproject.com : explores over 85 years of military history, through hundreds of first-hand accounts and artifacts shared by veterans from across Canada.

Brief Summary of Selected Activities related to Veterans Portfolio

• Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta (AVSA): Events attended include

. Métis Nation Veterans Memorial unveiled at Juno Beach Centre, November 11, 2009 – Courseulles-Sur-Mer, France. (photos & story in the Winter issue of Otipemisiwak)

o Met with Member of Parliament, Laurie Hawn to try secure funding for AVSA to attend the event.

o Veterans Christmas Party.

o Métis Week 2009 – Métis Veterans lead the Flag Raising Ceremony in Edmonton. Also attended the Riel Commemoration and Delia Gray Gala (photos in the Winter 2010 issue of Otipemisiwak)

o Kipness Centre for Veterans – Established a connection between the Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta and the Kipness Centre for Veterans and participated in and helped plan the first Aboriginal Cultural Hour for the Veterans held at the Centre. Plans are now underway to host a Métis specific cultural event in the near future. Story & pics submitted to Otipemisiwak anticipated to be published in the next edition.

o Métis Cadets - Wetaskiwin – Established a connection between the Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta and the Local. Vice President John McDonald spoke about the Bold Eagle program. (photos in the Spring Issue 2010)

o Creative Age Festival Symposium - Veterans participated in and helped coordinate a Grand Entry at the start of the daylong event whose focus was “Connecting To Creativity Through Aboriginal Arts and Healing.

o Support other AVSA activities - e.g. board meetings, annual general meeting, Bold Eagle graduation, etc.

o Commendation: The veterans honored me with a feather at the Kipness Centre For Veterans.

o Metis Nation of Alberta technical support meetings with Chuck Isaac

 September 9, 2009 – discussions on Métis Veterans outreach worker, veterans living on Métis Settlements, cultural events, conferences and workshops. MNA staff to provide technical assistance for projects and proposals.


Brief Summary of Selected Activities related to Seniors Portfolio:

Significant events attended included;

• Nihgi Métis Seniors Lodge Grand Opening was held on June 4, 2009 with good weather and a lively crowd.

• Silver Surge: Seniors Services Conference -Sessions including Building the Capacity of Your Organization, Personal Development and Wellness and Aging in Place. (Ideas for the Weaving Generations program came from this conference.)

• Working Together for our Seniors and Elders– Technical staff attended at my request. Service Canada workshop on Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security – recruited presenters to do a workshop for seniors at the Moving Forward Together conference on March 31, 2010.

• Moving Forward Conference – Building Strong, Healthy and Safe Métis Communities March 28-31, 2010. This conference was well attended by Métis members across Alberta. A large portion of the attendees were seniors who participated in all the workshops. Seniors from the Nihgi Lodge joined us for the lunch and closing ceremonies on the 31st.

• Support the Native Seniors Centre – Attended numerous meetings, events, and networked with other senior groups. Initiated the first ever tour of the Alberta Legislature by the Native Senior’s Centre during Senior Week (tea and tour).

• Alberta Association on Gerontology Networking Dinner Event – a synopsis of arts and aging in Canada was the main focus. Members of the Creative Age Festival steering committee were also in attendance.

• 3rd Creative Age Festival Symposium (June 8-16): A major undertaking by many stakeholders to increase visibility and participation of Métis and other Aboriginal seniors in art activities to promote well being. Participation included also being a member of the main steering committee. I initiated an Aboriginal focus for the symposium, the first of its kind in Canada and thus became the chairperson. www.creativeage festival.ca. The festival was considered a success and the symposium in particular was groundbreaking. One of the Elders told a story at the launch of the festival at city hall. The event was well attended and several people identified with the story that was told. At the symposium, the same Elder who told the story participated and was approached by a mature senior who recounted this story. ‘When I heard your story at city hall I realized you were just like me, so I came to the symposium. When I was a child, and native children would walk by our house, my mother would tell us to get in the house. I grew up fearing Native people. Your story made me realize that we are no different.’ It is very encouraging when you know you make a difference.

• Edmonton Seniors Declaration – Participated in the crafting of the document and attended the launch at City Hall.

• Aboriginal board member of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council.

Metis Nation of Alberta technical support activities:

The Nihgi Métis Seniors Lodge – Weaving Generations program launched February 9, 2010 – Grade 8 Students from Ben Calf Robe School come to the Seniors Lodge every 2nd Friday, interact with the seniors, learn leadership skills, benefit from the seniors’ life experiences, play games, do crafts, entertain them with fiddle music and the seniors contribute by offering advice and stories to the youth. Student and seniors weave the generations by benefiting from each other’s company.
Working Together for our Seniors and Elders December 16. 2009 – Service Canada workshop on Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security – recruited presenters to do a workshop for seniors at the Moving Forward Together conference on March 31, 2010.
University of Alberta Research on Aging presentation, January 29, 2010 – students from a variety of disciplines show case their research projects on poster displays. Opportunity to meet with a group who perform for seniors events: the “GeriActors”. They offered to put on a short skit for the seniors at Nihgi Lodge.