Historic Sault Ste Marie Metis Council
136 John St Sault Sainte Marie, ON, Canada

Good Morning Citizens of Metis Nation of Ontario Region 4! Please take a moment to sign up for one of the 2 important engagement sessions taking place this week as we work to develop our Early Learning and Childcare Strategy! Our children are the key to our future, this is our chance to give them a solid foundation in their identity and to help out families who will benefit from these new initiatives! Please share widely, click the link below to register. The Métis Nation of... Ontario (MNO) is conducting research and engagements to inform the future of early learning and childcare (ELCC) for Métis families across the province. The goal of this initiative is to provide MNO with information to enhance their understating of MNO Citizens’ needs as they relate to ELCC and of the current trends in childcare across Ontario. As part of this initiative, DPRA Canada has been hired by MNO to support two forms of engagement (virtual town hall sessions and online survey) on ELCC services in MNO communities. The engagements will include MNO Regional and Community Council leadership, Métis parents and families, and MNO Citizens. Information will be collected on the accessibility of services, desired services, and challenges and opportunities for providing services. Findings from the engagements will help inform the ELCC initiatives that the MNO seeks to implement. Virtual Town Hall Session We would like to invite Métis parents and families, and MNO Citizens to participate in a virtual town hall session on using Zoom video conferencing. We ask that you confirm your intent to participate at least 3 days prior to the session date that you will attend (please see list of Session Dates below) at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MNO_ELCC_Registration Once on the SurveyMonkey site, you will be asked to provide your name and email address and to select the date you will be participating. Once you have registered to take part in the session, you will receive an email with further information on how to participate in the Zoom meeting. Region 4 Week of February 1st, 2020 Métis Parents & Families/MNO Citizens Sessions (Open to All Citizens/Community Members) Tuesday, February 2nd at 8 9:30pm Saturday, February 6th at 10:30am 12:00pm

"City council approved a planning application earlier this week that will see the former St. John’s Church at John and Albert streets be transformed into a cultural centre, an assembly hall and house the association’s offices." www.saultstar.com//e386ab8d-9045-4d3e-8540-facb6b832d/amp/

Historic Sault Ste. Marie Metis Council had a small ground breaking ceremony to give thanks and to celebrate a new beginning for our community.

A holiday message from our Regional Councillor

From our Regional Councilor: "Time for the truth. Very proud to serve on the PCMNO representing the historic community in the Sault Ste Marie area and very proud of this PCMNO for standing up for our communities and calling for accountability and real governance at the MNC."

Do you know a Métis senior who suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s? One of our citizens, Kim Ritter has donated 6 Fidget Blankets for citizens who might be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. A fidget blanket is a quilt that has several different objects attached to it that stimulate the senior and keeps them focused on an activity and thereby reduce emotional escalation that leads to agitation. It can relieve their boredom too.... The blanket can keep a person busy for quite a while fidgeting with all the interesting objects in her lap that don’t fall off. It is similar to a toddler’s activity quilt and you could possibly use one of those too but a more age appropriate version would be more acceptable. Features you can find on a fidget quilt would be things like different textured fabrics like fake fur, corduroy, suede or lambskin, yarn, ribbons, buttons, zippers, pockets, attached bean bag, buckles, beads, laces, key rings and common household items that can be attached that give different textures and tactile stimulation when touched. - Seniorcarecorner.com If you know someone who might need a blanket, send us a message and we can arrange pickup or drop off - COVID-19 protocols being observed.

The MNO in partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard are inviting all Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens and their families to attend a free Introduction to... Boating Safety online training course. Offered by Transport Canada, this free training opportunity is open to any and all Indigenous people. The goal of this presentation is to ensure a safe boating environment for all. This free training opportunity will take place online on November 30, 2020 from 4 - 5pm. The information session will be presented virtually via Microsoft Teams. A meeting link will be emailed to everyone who registers. To register please visit: http://www.metisnation.org//mno-and-canadian-coast-guard-/

It’s all coming together at the new Métis Centre!

Big Developments are Happening for the Metis Community! Sault Ste. Marie Metis Citizens and fellow Saultites will soon notice renovations taking place at the Metis Community Centre located at the former St John’s Anglican Church, the Memorial Hall and the rectory. Funds have been secured to complete necessary renovations in order to complete the transformation from church and private residence to community centre and service access site. Renovations will include, but not ...be limited to partition walls to create new office space, additional electrical outlets and addressing accessibility concerns. When complete the site will be home to a Metis cultural centre/museum, a community meeting space for public and private events and a service delivery point for programs offered by the Metis Nation of Ontario including education, health, housing, as well as an administration office for the Sault Ste. Marie Metis Council and MNO Region 4. The site was donated to the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Council in 2017 by the Anglican Diocese of Algoma as an act of tangible reconciliation out of respect for the long time Metis connection to the site and ensures that the Metis graves located nearby will be permanently protected by the Metis community itself. Stay tuned for our grand opening in 2021 Historic Sault Ste. Marie Metis Council

Monday's Events

Senator Brenda sharing about the importance of Grandmothers in Metis Culture and shares about the purple ribbons of the #GrandmotherRibbonCampaign!

Senator Brenda all set up today at the Urban Indigenous Early On to share her knowledge about the Métis way of life. Métis people are special people, just like everyone else Brenda says this morning as she’s sharing her stories. In this way, we understand our place in creation, we are special - so is everyone else. We aren’t any less than anyone else, but we aren’t better either. Thank you Senator Brenda for sharing this with us this morning.

Just a reminder that the MNO Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) will be holding their Surprise Toy Drive! Applications are still being accepted until November... 17! All Métis families are welcome to submit ONE application per family for the Surprise Toy Drive. This program is a gift from the MNO to our citizens and is not dependent on financial need. For more information on this ELCC Christmas gift initiative visit: bit.ly/35jh37W

Aaniin kina awiiya! Tomorrow wraps up our activities for Michif Week! We have a special guest joining us tomorrow via Zoom - Metis Elder and Nokomis, Brenda Pow...ley! She will be here to sit with us, answer any questions we might have about Metis people and share some stories with us. Have your child ready with a special item to share and tell us about for our show and tell portion and be thinking about this past week and what you are most grateful for. Participation in our Zoom call with get you into a draw to win $50 at Food Basics! Here is the Zoom ID: Indigenous Early-On is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Zoom Drop-In with Brenda Powley Time: Nov 20, 2020 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/6848685152 Meeting ID: 684 868 5152 We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

As we mark Remembrance Day, let us honour those who have served so bravely in war and in peace. Métis people have a strong tradition of military service. Our i...nvolvement in the defense of Canada began before there was a Canada, in the War of 1812. Métis have also served in both World Wars, the Korean Conflict, in Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions around the world. Our MNO Veterans’ Council works with our citizens, and in particular our youth, to share their knowledge and experiences. We invite all MNO citizens and friends to join in supporting our Métis Veterans in this important work. This November 11th, please take the time to thank our friends, neighbours, and all of our relations who have served and who continue to serve and show our love, support and gratitude for their bravery and sacrifice, not just with words but with actions throughout the year.