Metis News and Stuff: October 2006

Monday, October 30, 2006

Lucien Spence C D Release

The man also known as "Looch" is having a C D release party on the 18th of this month so get your tickets early. Info is on the poster below. Lucien has a strong stage presence to go along with his thundering vocals. He visited the venue where I was performing this weekend and excited the crowd with a stellar performance of the Shannon Two Feathers classic "The Prisoner" during the jamboree portion of our show.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Metis News and Stuff Goes Bilingual

I have installed a english to french translation program on my sidebar.
For any French-Metis readers this is a welcome tool.

President Chartrand's Pic And Other Stuff

Yesterday I placed a picture of the President of The Manitoba Metis Federation and asked readers if they knew where the shot was taken.

There were no correct response so here is the answer.
The pic was taken at the much bally-hooed and MMF sponsored, Metis Artists Symposium that was held approximately two years ago at the Radisson hotel in downtown Winnipeg.
Now you ask...why the heck would Derryl place a picture from two years ago and think we care ??..lol.
There was much time and money spent on this event that was high on promises and rhetoric, but short on any firm program to aid the arts. President Chartrand spoke of creating opportunities for all Metis artists. As of today there is no structured arts program in place within the agency that supposedly represents all Metis, including the arts, in Manitoba.
The President of the MMF has stated artists are a priority for his administration on many occasions.
I have heard President Chartrand use Louis Riel's quote so many times it is ingrained in my memory...."My people will sleep for one hundred years when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back." Louis Riel.
As I told President Chartrand last year, if your going to do something to aid the arts do it...if not, stop dangling the carrot in front of the Metis artists noses. Any plans to aid the arts seemed to cease immediately following that conversation.
The constant use of the Riel quote by the President is admirable...if he had any intentions to follow through with his words..........The 15 Questions question......I ll let you all in on secret. I never thought for one minute that the questions that I sent to Rochelle Nault, who is the Presidents admin assistant, would be answered. Ms Nault instructed me to send the e mail to her, she would then forward my letter to Chartrand.
Mr Bruinooge and Mr Prentice have indicated they have received the e mail.
No acknowledgement from the MMF.
The MMF is a corporation. Pure and simple. It appears that the MMF does not have to answer to you, me or the government. I wonder if Metis womens advocate, Kim Lavallee received a response ??
I can understand a political party freezing out opposition within their party, but the MMF touts itself as the cultural rep for all Metis in Manitoba, big difference.
Darcy over at Dust my Broom has an interesting take as always on the Metis situation, including the current trial of Will Goodon. You gotta read this article;

You can pry away my duck from my cold dead hands

Darcy is one well worded Metis, and I agree with his many takes on the MMF as a corporation.......Winnipeg Civic election..... I urge everyone to get out and exercise your democratic right today. You can't bitch if ya' don't vote.......Voter Apathy ??...There has been much talk in the MSM recently commenting on voter apathy towards the current Civic election. Jeez, you wan to see apathy; last MMF election approximately as little as 9 % of the members even bothered to cast their vote.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Planet Wearing Out Faster Than Ever

Enough studies and reports have convinced me that our planet is indeed undergoi

ng climate changes at an alarming rate. Canadians and all countries should pay heed to the concerns raised by the World Wildlife Federation...one in a slew of organizations that also believe the governments must take drastic steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment, had better rethink her weak clean air act.
We don't require another government-funded study to tell us there has to be strong measures taken to address the seriousness of the environment issue.
Below are two stories detailing the announcement by the minister and a report from the WWF.

Speaking Notes for the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of ...
Planet wearing out faster than ever: study

Monday, October 23, 2006

62 Yard Field Goal Beats the Eagles

What A Kick !!

Monday Musings

Good morning, and as Peter Warren would say, "lets get right down to business".
A few months ago I signed up for a "google alert" that would send me any news story

with the word Metis in the article. The alerts are usually one or two days old, but are very useful if you would like to keep up with the latest local, national or international Metis news and other tidbits. For example, did you know cross-dressing gay people in Nepal are termed Metis ?? http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-2756.html The blasphamy !! If I was a Metis fundamentalist extremist, boy look out !!
In Manitoba Metis news this week, President David Chartrand of the Manitoba Metis Federation has met with federal government officials and states they have hammered out an agreement that will enable Metis students wishing to pursue a university degree in the health field, complete financial aid throughout the course of their studies. The deal is said to be worth in the area of 2.5 million dollars over four years to the MMF.
The President of the MMF also indicated there was a strong disagreement between

the Manitoba and British Columbia Metis reps in regards to the ground-breaking funding agreement. During a live broadcast this weekend on the MMF sponsored radio program The Metis Hour X 2, The MMF President stated he was angered at the decision by B C reps to decide to "go it alone" as far as this education funding was concerned and inferred the programs' very existence was at stake because of the B C Metis nation decision, and that he "felt like jumping across the table and choking him".
President Chartrand did not identify "him".
I finally was able to get together with the MMF local chairperson who wanted to provide me with the MMF's consolidated and unconsolidated, independently audited financial reports for last year. Some very interesting reading material. For those of you who haven't been able to access these documents, I believe you can also get the report, by contacting one of your local representatives, or by contacting the MMF head office.
So many generic titles for expenditures. meetings, promotion, board fees etc with no real indication as to how many meetings were held, who got what promo dollars and so on. I am told these are standard accounting procedures..........Winnipeg Civic election this

week and you can expect Mayor Sam Katz to be re-elected with about 62 % support. I also support the re-election bid of my old english teacher at Tec Voc high, Harvey Smith, others I feel can do a good job are; St. Boniface Metis candidate Dan Vandal, who is taking on the brash Franco Magnifico , Jenny Gerbasi, Lillian Thomas and Russ Wyatt.
The only school trustee race that interests me is in the riding where I reside. I think that John Toews would make a terrific school trustee for ward 2. Down to earth and in tune with the people of the area. Two very strong points with voters.......
Western Canadian Music Awards.....sad to see that less than 1,000 people bothered to show up to watch some high profile Canadian entertainment this weekend in "the Peg". Corb Lund, Jan Arden and Harlequin, just to name a few. Congrats to Metis singer/songwriter Andrea Menard who garnered Aboriginal artist of the year honors.
The government sponsored and Aboriginal focused, Manito Ahbee festival is up next in the city. A component of the fest, "The Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards", will be held at the MTS centre in downtown Winnipeg. Don't expect more than a few thousand to take in this event. These awards which are little sister to the more well known and respected Canadian Aboriginal Music awards; www.canab.com , was hastily arranged after the organizers of the CAMAs pulled out of a Winnipeg awards show because the Winnipeg host committee wouldn't agree on the share of the financial pie. Look for Manito Ahbee event freebies real soon....by the way, in a related item of interest can anybody tell me where this picture of President David Chartrand was taken ? (hint; it has to do with the arts)

Thanks to Ray St. Germain, who really made my wife and son feel welcome during their visit to the Metis Hour this weekend, where they spoke on the role model announcement. Politics aside, I have always said Ray is the most gifted and polished Metis musical artist to ever grace the stage. My humble opinion.
You can receive instant gratification now !! We have gone to a different comment approach and you can now view your comment immediately after posting.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

National Aboriginal Health Organization- Role Model Ceremony with the Governor-General

The place was full of energy, The five-piece orchestra was playing the classics, ballroom filled to capacity.....

In an earlier post, I detailed the National Aboriginal Health Organization and my son Derek's selection to represent the organizations "Lead Your Way" Aboriginal youth role model program.
The crystal awards were handed out during a classy event hosted by Governor-General Michelle Jean at Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada's representive to the queen.
Very emotional time watching my son receive his award from her excellency.
Here are a few pictures taken before and after the ceremony and the names of all the role models honored...cameras were not permitted during the presentations.

before the ceremony;

and after;

who is that guy ??

Here is the complete list of Aboriginal Youth role models;

2006-2007 Role Models;

Alexander Angnaluak from Cold Lake First Nation, Alberta Alisa Blake from Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Shane Byrne from Natuashish, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta Eashappie-Prettyshield from Carry the Kettle First Nation, Saskatchewan, Chelsea Lavallée from St. Ambroise, Manitoba. Terry Lyall from Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador. Daniel McKennitt from Edmonton, Alberta. Aisa Pirti from Akulivik, Quebec. Megan Pizzo-Lyall from Taloyoak, Nunavut. Derek Sanderson from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Christine Smith from Wabowden, Manitoba. Caitlin Tolley from Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg, Quebec.

I have met most of these young role models and came away impressed by all of those selected. The NAHO people are doing an admirable job by promoting a healthy lifestyle for all Aboriginals in Canada. Thank you to Karin Kettler of NAHO, who also showcased a stirring throat-singing performance during the ceremonies. Many, many words of thanks to Her excellency Michelle Jean, for hosting the National Aboriginal Role Model Program and the Lead Your Way role models.

President David Chartrand of the Manitoba Metis Federation was also in attendance and the four Metis role models, including THREE from Manitoba, were excited and honoured by his involvement. I was also pleased with the President making an appearance. His involvement and committment to empowering youth in Manitoba must be a priority for his administration during the next three and a half years.

These role models are also available to appear and speak to youth anywhere in Canada. Here is how you can have one of the 12 role models attend your community;

Mail requests to:

National Aboriginal Role Model Program220 Laurier Ave. West, Suite 1200
Ottawa, ON K1P 5Z9or fax requests to: (613) 233-1853
or download the following Community Request Visit forms:

Community Request Visit form (MS Word Document)
Community Request Visit form (pdf)

Congratulations Della !!!

Della, with daughter Chelsea

Cheers to m

y wife Della Sanderson who just began her promotion to the managment level at CanadInns Corp. CanadInns is the largest and fastest growing hotel chain in Manitoba.
In three and a half short years Della has worked herself up from room attendent to now being in charge of her own staff and department.
Way to go honey, you finally get your weekends off !!

Elsie Bear's Kitchen Closed

I have talked to a few employees from the Manitoba Metis Federation over the

past few days and they have informed me the restaurant, that has been operating out of the basement of 150 Henry, has been closed until further notice.
I called the MMF and spoke to a receptionist by the name of Pat, who confirmed the "restaurant has been closed until further notice" message.
The restaurant, which was posthumously named after the well-known Metis womans advocate, has been in operation for 4-5 years now.
I have had lunch at Elsie's on a couple of occasions and found the food to be quite good and the service great.
Let's hope this closure doesn't last too long.

Metis News, Metis Women Update

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Metis Women":

I ran into Kim at the Metis Club on Friday night and she said that she has not received any calls from either MMF or Metis Women.
I was not surprised to hear this. She did say that several Metis women called her to offer help should she or anyone else decide to take matters into their own hands with regards to assisting less fortunate Metis women.
She also said that she is not giving up hope that the MMF will do the right thing.

I have been mildly impressed with the recent announcments from the Federation and President David Chartrand, so I do share Mrs. Lavallee's optimism.
Chartrand revealed a much needed partnership agreement with the federal government involving funding for university students. The announcment, made during the Metis Hour X 2, indicates that Metis students wishing to pursue a career in the health field, will now have their tution costs covered during the second, and possibly the first year, of their university studies.
The strong committment shown from the MMF administration and board of directors in the ongoing fight for hunting rights, and the defence of the 11 or so Metis hunters charged with illegal hunting, is also commended.
While I feel the NDP has created many strong partnerships with the Metis over the past six years, the NDP's stance on the hunting issue makes me scratch my head. On one hand Manitoba Premier Gary Doer states the MMF's harvester cards are valid and the Metis will not be charged with illegal hunting, then comes along Doer's underling Minister Stan Struthers, who does an about face and goes against his parties leader.
In this area all the Metis wish is for clarification from the government. Plain and simple. If the government does not agree with the historic Powley decision, then they should come clean, so our Metis leaders can then take the appropriate measures needed to deal with the NDP's apparent waffling on the hunting issue.
By the way...I have received no answer to my questions sent to the MMF either.
I m a bit of a rebel but not a radical. I can wait.
Canadian Radio Television Commission update;
The CRTC compliant filed against NCI-FM and the Metis Hour is still with their legal department and it might take another 4-6 months to complete the commissions findings.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Governor General to Honour 12 Aboriginal Youths with the Aboriginal Role Model Awards

This is the an

nouncement that I have had to keep under wraps for a few months now. For all the regular readers of Metis News and Stuff, you may recall an article I posted relating to my son's selection as National Aboriginal Youth Role Model representing Metis youth.
When we received the phone call from the selection committee in early summer indicating Derek had been chosen as one of the Role models, I proudly and hurriedly posted the information on this site.
Within days the National Aboriginal Health Organization gave us a call back and asked that I take the story off the site because the announcement was not to be made until the fall. The NAHO people had received some inquiries from the Ottawa media regarding my posting of the role model announcement !! Surprise, surprise. I was q

uite happy this site had readers in the nations capital, but was also quite embarrased that I didn't ask for permission to print the article. Kind of funny. My family was quite overcome with joy at the time.

As my son is not yet eighteen years of age, he requires a parent to accompany him to Ottawa and I am the lucky one that will be going.

Here is the article detailing the event, taken from the Governor Generals website;

October 12, 2006
OTTAWA–Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada,

will present 12 Aboriginal youths from across Canada with the National Aboriginal Role Model Awards during a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Monday, October 16, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. The Awards consist of a small crystal sculpture.
Each year, the National Aboriginal Role Model Program celebrates the accomplishments of 12 Aboriginal role models aged 13 to 30 from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. The role models are nominated by their peers and are selected for their achievements, leadership and innovation. Throughout the year, the role models visit First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to share their stories with other Aboriginal youths.
Media are welcome to cover the ceremony
Those wishing to interview recipients at the end of the ceremony are kindly asked to call the Rideau Hall Press Office before October 16.
The list of Aboriginal role models for 2006-2007 follows. Their citations can be found on our Web site at http://www.gg.ca/ .
For more information on the National Aboriginal Role Model Program, please visit www.naho.ca/rolemodel .

2006-2007 Role Models;

Alexander Angnaluak from Cold Lake First Nation, Alberta
Alisa Blake from Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories
Shane Byrne from Natuashish, Newfoundland and Labrador
Alberta Eashappie-Prettyshield from Carry the Kettle First Nation, Saskatchewan
Chelsea Lavallée from St. Ambroise, Manitoba
Terry Lyall from Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador
Daniel McKennitt from Edmonton, Alberta
Aisa Pirti from Akulivik, Quebec
Megan Pizzo-Lyall from Taloyoak, Nunavut
Derek Sanderson from Winnipeg, Manitoba
Christine Smith from Wabowden, Manitoba
Caitlin Tolley from Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg, Quebec

Media informationMarilyne GuèvremontRideau Hall Press Office613-998-7280http://www.gg.ca/
National Aboriginal Role Model ProgramMark Buell613-237-9462, ext. 228 or 1-877-602-4445, ext. 228

Derek and I went to Ottawa in July and took some nice pictures.

Congratulations to my son Derek and to all the role models !!!

Thank you the National Aboriginal Health Organization's Karin Kettler, Nadine Solomon, James Blake of Youth For Christ for creating opportunities for Aboriginal youth, VP Ron Chartrand of the Manitoba Metis Federation and Allison Walters, also of the MMF.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Inspiring Aboriginal Youth On APTN

Please take time to watch this program tomorrow as a member of my family will be profiled. This is a prelude to an announcement I have been sitting on for a few months. A good message for Aboriginal youth !!

CONTACT INSPIRING YOUTH: WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER SUCCESS?

With such staggering statistics like holding the highest suicide rates, having the lowest income, and highest percentage of high school drop outs, it makes you wonder how our young people can strive to succeed. At the same time success is measured differently by everyone. We ask you - What do you consider success?
This week, we will sit down with a couple of youth who overcame obstacles and still work hard to be the best they can be. What inspires them? What motivates them?
Please join us this Wednesday at 7:00 pm eastern, 4 pm pacific.Contact repeats at midnight eastern and pacific 11 pm central. Or watch our streaming video live each week at www.aptn.ca/streaming/
TO TAKE PART:
New Season of Contact begins October 4th 2006 at 7PM ET, 4 PM PT. To take part in the discussions call 1-877-647-2786 during the live broadcast or email

contact@aptn.ca
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
You can also keep the discussion going 24 hours a day by logging on to our online forum.

First youtube Download

Ryan Richard and The Asham Stompers performing live. This video is a little grainy but it shows one of Manitoba's finest jiggers in action. This youtube site is pretty interesting. Expect more of these videos on this site as the political videos are pretty funny and there is nothing more entertaining or interesting than politics...Metis, Canadian or American.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, Manitoba Nominees

Eight Manitoba artists have netted 10 nominations the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMA) making 2006 another strong year for homegrown talent.
The CAMAs, now in their eighth year, are held in conjunction with the Canadian Aboriginal Festival, which runs November 24-26, 2006 in Toronto.
The awards will be handed out at the John Basset Theatre in downtown Toronto on November 24. Juno-winning rock act Eagle & Hawk leads the nominations with four nods, including Best Group or Duo, Best Rock Album, and Best Album of the Year, and Best Producer/Engineer for Life Is..., which is also up for a 2006 Western Canadian Music Award.
Singer/songwriter Gerry McIvor is up for Best Blues Album for his latest effort, Old Friend. Edward Gamblin gets a nod for Cree Road, up for Best Country Album. Highway 373 is nominated with Eagle & Hawk in the Best Rock Album category for its release, No Limits. Hip-hop outfit Rezofficial is up for Best Rap or Hip-Hop Album for its Rezofficial Music Presents: Lakes Aqui-The Preview. Fiddlers Harv Settee Jr. and Cliff Maytwayashing are both nominated in the Best Fiddle Album category for their albums Nanny’s Dream and Skiffle Fiddle, respectively.
Three Manitoba-based recording labels have acts up for trophies, including Sunshine Records, Arbor Records, and War Pony Records.
"This year's list of nominees showcases the talent and diversity of the Aboriginal music scene in Manitoba," says Sam Baardman, Executive Director of the Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association (MARIA). "It's wonderful to see fantastic artists from this province getting the national recognition they deserve, from established acts like Eagle & Hawk to newcomers like 14-year-old fiddler Harv Settee Jr. This year's nominations also include several nominees from three Manitoba-based recording labels, which illustrates the strength of our industry."
“Manitoba’s Aboriginal recording artists are making a name for themselves in Canada and around the world,” says Carole Vivier, CEO of MANITOBA FILM & SOUND. “We’re very pleased to support Aboriginal music initiatives to ensure the continued growth and success of these artists. Congratulations to all nominees.”
Of the 19 categories, several will be presented in a private pre-telecast affair known as The Overture Awards. The remainder of the awards will be presented and aired as a special telecast on CHUM television stations.
For a complete list of nominees, please visit www.canab.com/mainpages/events/musicawards.html

Friday, October 06, 2006

Metis Women

The article sent in from Kim Lavallee has provided readers with some of the most thought out comments since this blog began.
I wish I had more time, but for now here is more from Lavallee;

Kim Lavallee has left a new comment on your post "Metis Women Want Answers":

Thank you to all of you who have responded. It is nice to see that I am not the only one who thinks we need to do more to support Metis women. I am very disturbed though by the comments about Rosemarie. I don't think that it is true that she has done nothing for Metis women. Everyone has good in them and personally
I like Rosemarie as she has never done anything to disrespect me. Calling others down will not improve the situation our women face in fact it just adds to the oppression only now it is other Metis people doing it to their own. This is why good people do not want to get involved because they get tired of everyone calling each other down.
To Anonymous who said my suggestions are only a band-aid solution I say this. "Any solution at this point is better than none." To Anonymous who wrote that David will not contact me because I did not support him in the election. Again I do not believe this to be true. I think David knows all to well the bleak future these women face in fact he has taken a small but significant step in providing a year of funding to the TERF program for a Metis staff person to support the participants of the program and it was my idea not his.
I am confident he knows much more work has to be done to support Metis women and that he and/or Rosemarie will indeed call me.To Stephanie. You will be very happy to know that in my program we teach the women about Metis culture as well as several other cultures. My office is full of Metis items such as a sash, a flag, pictures by Metis artists including my son and even what I call the Metis corner which explains the history behind the sash, the flag, the music, and the culture.
The unfortunate part is that only about 50 people a year ever see this stuff, but better then no one seeing it.
I received a call from someone I thought was my friend suggesting that I am seeking the spokesperson position of Metis women or that I am looking for a job at MMF. I assure you that is not my intent. I have a great job that I love nor am I interested in a political position at this time. Plain and simple I just want to be part of improving the lives of Metis women.

Thank you for printing my concerns Derryl.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards-Toronto

This is the biggest and most respected Aboriginal music Festival in Canada. This awards show is truly worth attending and this festival has received rave reviews in previous years. The CAMAs were originally planned to be held in Winnipeg this year but due to sponsorship dollar worries, the CAMAs decided not to come to Winnipeg. The story goes, singer and Winnipeg rep, Errol Ranville and the Toronto committee could not agree on how much of the sponsorship dollars would go to Winnipeg, so Ranville phoned his buddy Eric Robinson and within a couple of months, the two came up with 1.2 million dollars of taxpayer money to provide his duplicate awards show.
Sad thing is that not many artists will feel much financial gain from the 1.2 million Winnipeg award show. These shows have not proven to be the professional shot in the arm for some of the artists involved. While some of the bands or artists have gotten "feelers" from record companies, unfortunately, despite the massive infusionof taxpayer dollars, none have managed to garner the big record contract. Hopefully, Toronto's awards show will end that track record.

From the CAMA website;

The eighth annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMA) will honour the premiere musical artists of the Canadian Aboriginal communities. This year's show will be presented on Friday, November 24th, 2006, at the John Bassett Theatre in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
The Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards are coordinated by Executive Producers Catherine Cornelius and Amos Key Jr.,, along with an advisory commitee of nine distinguished members of the Aboriginal music community across Canada. The mission is to acknowledge and honour the keepers, teachers, promoters, creators and performers of Aboriginal music; to continue to develope and promote the diversity of all Aboriginal music and celebrate the excellence of Aboriginal music and to recognize the unique vision of Aboriginal musicians and encourage this rich cultural voice.
New CAMA Links:
For a list of past Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Finalists, Winners and Profiles, please visit our Archive section.

2006 Music Award Category Finalists
2006 Music Awards Special Honour Awards nomination form (click here for the French version)
Download high-res photos of the 2005 Canadian Music Awards Ceremony
Media Release: Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Announces Winners of 27 Awards Honouring Excellence in Aboriginal Music
For more information regarding the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, call 519-751-0040, or email info@canab.com

Good luck to the many Manitoba Aboriginal acts that have been nominated !!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Metis Women Want Answers

Kim Lavallee has taken time to send an article relating to questions she also would like to put to Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand.
Lavallee has been a tireless advocate on behalf of Metis women for many years.

Hi Derryl. On the topic of David treating all Metis the same.
I have the following article. I emailed it to your email address instead of a comment on your blog because it is so long, however I really feel it needs to be said. I hope you have the room to print it.

Yesterday afternoon I attended a meeting at the North End Women’s Centre. What wonderful work they do there for women. Their drop in area was full of women (approx 20). Every single woman in there was Aboriginal. Most of these women had on dirty and ripped clothes, their hair was not washed or combed but the thing I noticed the most was that they all held there heads down and there was not sparkle in their eyes.
I recognized several as these women through my work or see them on the streets on my way home from work or sitting outside Jack’s Place in the evenings waiting for a place to lay their heads for the night.
I started to think about these women and the hundreds of other Metis women in Winnipeg who suffer from addictions, poverty, mental health issues, etc. I began to wonder who is morally responsible for these women. I then looked at the objectives of the MMF on their website and they are.
1. To promote the history and culture of the Metis people and otherwise to promote the cultural pride of its membership.
2. To promote the education of its membership respecting their legal, political, social and other rights.
3. To promote the participation of its members in community, municipal, provincial, federal, Aboriginal, and other organizations.
4. Generally, to promote the political, social and economic interests of its members.
I assume based on the above objectives that the MMF is indeed responsible for them. This brings me to a question. What does the MMF do for these women they claim to represent?
Are there any specialized training opportunities for Metis women? (Life skills, Money Management, or Entrepreneurial training)
Does the MMF do advocacy for these women with Welfare or Manitoba Housing?
Does the MMF have a drop in area where Metis women can have a bite to eat or a bath?
Do they offer addiction treatment or financial support for Metis women while they go through treatment?
Do they provide classes on safety while working the streets?
Do they have access to an emergency housing so these women do not have to sleep under a bridge?
I am not trying to criticize or place blame but if we want to invest in our youth, our future leaders then we need to take care of their Mothers. We need to take responsibility for all Metis citizens, not just the ones who are lucky enough to graduate from Grade 12 and get their college education paid for, but also the ones who never got more than Grade 6 due to an addiction or ending up pregnant and alone. These women did not choose this lifestyle they were forced into it by circumstances. It’s time to step up to the plate and stop making others responsible for our women.
If the MMF can offer courses such as heavy equipment operator courses and truck driving courses why not offer training opportunities for women that starts with healing from sexual abuse, addictions or sexual exploitation, then covers life skills training, then upgrading, then something like Educational Assistant or Family Support Workers.
Buy a duplex or small apartment block and apply for funding to do renovations. Charge the welfare rate for rent and offer the women in training safe affordable housing.
Advocate for them to have their children returned or at the very least regular visitation. Offer in house addiction counselling.
If other agencies can do it so can the MMF. I will offer my support and assistance and I know of at least 12 others who will as well. Let’s not let politics stand in the way of helping those who need it. Let’s all work together. If the MMF can form a commission to address self-governance then they can form a coalition or commission to address Metis women’s issues.

Kim Lavallee

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

School Shootings...sick, sick,sick

This shooting in the Amish community brings the total of school shootings to a total of five in the last couple of weeks. I pray for all the victims and hope these incidents are not repeated.
Man, some people can be evil.

(CNN) -- Pennsylvania schoolhouse killer Charles Carl Roberts IV said he molested young family members 20 years ago and was dreaming about molesting again, police said Tuesday.
Roberts' assault Monday killed five girls and wounded five others, police said, before he

killed himself. Police have been trying to determine the motive behind the attack by talking to family members and analyzing suicide notes.
Police found a checklist in Roberts' truck that "matches the evidence found and recovered in the school," Miller said.
"It's important to note that we had ten victims at that time that were in the school," he said.
Roberts "became disorganized" when police arrived at the schoolhouse and "shot himself in the head as [police] were coming in through the window," Miller said.
Roberts also wrote in suicide note that he was mad at God for the death of his premature baby, Elise, born nine years ago, Miller said.
Many of the new details police revealed Tuesday came from interviews with Roberts' wife, Marie Roberts. She told investigators that she spoke with her husband by cell phone Monday and he said, "'I am not coming home. The police are here,'" Miller said.
It was the nation's third deadly school shooting in a week, following the killing of a 16-year-old girl by a 53-year-old man in Bailey, Colorado, and the shooting death of a principal at a school in Madison, Wisconsin.

All of these sickos who commit these evil deeds have some sort of goofy excuse in the suicide notes. The attackers were all a bunch of mentally ill, psychotic, social misfits.

Metis News and Stuff