October 2012

Métis Connection
Métis Commission for Children and Families of BC
Métis Family Services (MFS) Surrey
Celebra tes its 20th Anniversary
October 2012
On October 19, 2012 - Métis Family Services
(MFS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary. On
this special day of celebration, from 11:00am
to 3:00pm, MFS will be offering tours of the
agency and its programs, gifts, a feast, guest
speakers and a youth jigging performance.
Learn Michif:
ka tutum-skakkesikak
“Thanksgiving”
Our schedule is as follows:
11am to 12pm - Tours, program and department showcase.
12pm to 1pm - Feast in our Cultural building.
1pm to 3pm - Program showcase, speakers,
and jigging performance in our cultural
building.
Giveaways and entertainment await everybody.
For more information please
Toni Courchene @ 604-584-6621.
contact:
Inside this issue:
Agency Spotlight:
The MCCF is the legislated Métis community under the Child
and Family Community Services
Act (CFCSA) of BC. We provide
advocacy from a Métis perspective for the children and families
in the child welfare system. Our
aim is to create awareness around
the distinction of “Métis” in the
overarching aboriginal category.
Métis Commission for Children &
Families of BC (MCCF)
When court documents are received regarding Métis children
and families, we connect them to
Métis specific services through
their social workers. We also
review all court documents received to ensure that those families are receiving adequate care.
It is our job to be critical of the
court documents to ensure that
the well-being of the children and
families are met. As an extension
of this work we perform research
and development around issues
and concerns that arise from
working for the families. We are
here to advocate on behalf of
Métis children, youth and families. For more specific information please visit our website.
Lii Michif Grand Opening
2
Métis Culture Classes
2
Métis Code of Ethics
2
Job Postings
4
October Calendar
4
MCCF Website Updates
5
Recipe of the Month
6
Page 2
Métis Connection
Colle ge of New Caledonia Of fers Online Classes in Métis Studies
Respondents from the MCCF Fall 2011 focus
groups expressed concern over the public’s
general knowledge about Métis people. Well...
Did you know that the College of New
Caledonia offers 2 online courses devoted to
an exploration of Métis history, art and
material culture? ABST110 (Métis Student I)
is a 3 credit university course “to help
students explore and understand past and present Métis perspective in all areas of life with
an eye towards fostering positive
cross-cultural interaction between Métis and
non-Métis individuals and communities.”
ABST111 (Métis Studies II) builds on the
foundation laid in the first course and then
moves onto an examination of Métis culture
through various art forms. “Learners will
consider ethical, economic, aesthetic and functional implications, discussing protocol for
appropriation (borrowing of style and
technique), and reinterpretation.”
Did you know that the College
of New Caledonia offers 2
online courses devoted to an
exploration of Métis history, art
and material culture?
Courses are transferrable to a number of
universities in BC including: TRU, Kwantlen,
UNBC, UFV, U.Vic & UBC.
Please contact the campus in Prince George
for further information at: (250) 562-2131 /
Both courses are offered in the fall and winter
semesters at the College of New Caledonia.
1-800-371-8111 or check them out on the
web at: http://www.cnc.bc.ca/
October 2012
Page 3
Our Métis
PROGRAMS
Michif Women’s Circle of Courage
Michif Cultural
Workshops
Thursdays
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Michif Elders
Luncheon
Thursdays and Fridays
(Starting September 27)
10:00 am to Noon
Third Saturday of
every month
Noon to 2:00pm
Michif Youth Otipemisiwak
Youth ages 16 to 24
Mondays
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Michif Jigging
Tuesdays
5:00 pm to 5:45pm
Lii Michif Baybee Circle
Children ages 0 – 2
Michif Kitchen
Parties
Dates to be announced soon!
Wednesdays 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Lii Petits Wapososak
Children ages 3 - 6
Wednesdays 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
All above programs take place at Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services
New Location at 707 Tranquille Road (Look for building under construction)
For more information please contact 250-554-9486
Page 4
Métis Connection
Métis Code of Ethics
Author Unknown
(Amendments by Métis Elders of Kamloops & Nicola Valley)
* Give thanks to the Creator/God/Great Spirit
each morning upon rising and each evening
before sleeping. Seek courage and strength to
be a better person.
* Show respect to our heritage & strengths
such as culture, honour, dignity and our work
ethic.
* Respect the wisdom of the people in council.
Once you give an idea it no longer belongs to
you, it belongs to everyone.
* Attempt to be as truthful as possible, being
aware at all times not to show disrespect.
* Always treat your guests with honour and
consideration. Give your best foods and
comforts to your guests.
* The hurt of one is the hurt of all; the honour
of one is the honour of all.
* Observe moderation and balance in all
things.
* Show kindness to all including strangers and
outsiders. Treat them as friends.
* Know those things that lead to your wellbeing and those that lead to your downfall.
* All races are children of the Creator/
God/Great Spirit and must be respected. Teach
our children and youth that validation of one’s
self comes from within, not from material
belongings or relationships. Teach our
children and youth to respect and honour
others and they will pass it to future
generations.
* Listen to and follow the guidance given to
your heart. Expect guidance to come in many
forms: in prayers, in dreams, in solitude and in
the words and actions of Elders and friends.
* To assist others in their day to day struggles
relying on the knowledge of our culture and
community.
* Recognition that the Métis Nation was
dispersed and that we fought back to become
accepted as a unique peoples of Canada. We
must continue to maintain this recognition
through practicing our culture, beliefs & way
of life.
(Submitted by: Colleen Lucier, Lii Michif)
Job Postings from Around Our Province
Aboriginal Women’s Health
Program Coordinator: BC
Women's Hospital, Vancouver,
BC, Regular Full-Time
of
services
related
to
Aboriginal
women’s health
under the BC
W o m e n ’ s
mandate.
Reporting to the Senior Medical
Advisor: Provincial Women’s
The
successful
Health Programs: BC Women’s
candidate
will
and under the guidance of a
Check out these current
bring
a
level
of
provincial advisory committee, the
employment opportunities
e
d
u
c
a
t
i
o
n
,
Coordinator, Aboriginal Women’s
t r a in in g
a nd
Health Program (AWHP) is
responsible for the development and delivery experience equivalent to a Bachelors degree in
related discipline with a minimum of five
years of experience working with Aboriginal
communities and five years experience in a
hospital environment in an administrative/
clinical capacity.
Applications will be accepted until the
position is filled.
For more information, please see:
http://www. mnbc.ca/media/transfer/
doc/2012_08_15_carol_coordinator_aborigina
l_health.pdf
For more information, refer to the
Executive Director: Métis Community
Services Society of BC, Kelowna, BC
The Executive Director is hired by the Board
of Directors and is responsible to them as a
whole for the entirety of the organization. The
executive director provides two-way
communication and leadership, which directs
the Board in determining the direction in
decision making, while ensuring sound policy
adherence and program management.
detailed job posting at:
www.metiscommission.com/images/pdf/
mcsbc_job_posting_ed_2012.pdf
Qualifications—Management and Administrative background with extensive experience in
child and family service in Métis context is
essential. Degree with considerable related
experience. The applicant should understand
the role of a delegated agency under the Child
Family and Community Services Act. Have a
demonstrated understanding of non-profit and
Posting Closes: Oct. 19th @ 4:00pm
Aboriginal organizations, communities and
board functions. Experience dealing with the
Federal and Provincial governments via
proposal writing and negotiations is required.
October 2012
Page 5
October 2012
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12
13
Métis Family
Services (MFS)
Granted C6
Designation
7
8
Lii Michif
Grand
Opening
2-4:30pm
(Kamloops)
MCCF
Office Closed
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Métis Family
Services (MFS)
20th Anniversary
& Open House
(Surrey)
21
22
23
24
25
28
29
30
31
Taffy Candy Recipe
26
27
Ingredients: 3 cups brown sugar packed, 1 tbsp. butter, 1
cup molasses & 1/2 cup water.
Boil over moderate heat until it hardens when dropped in
water. Put in molasses and then pour in greased platters.
When cool, pull until light, cut and wrap in waxed paper.
From: http://www.stnorbertmetiscouncil.com/recipes.htm
Métis Commission for
Children and Families of BC
The purpose of this newsletter is to connect individuals
from across the province who serve our Métis children
and families.
#1– 166 Oriole Road
Kamloops, BC V2C 4N7
Phone: (250) 372-8688
Fax: (250) 372-9111
Toll Free: 1-877-606-3847
reception@metiscommission.com
If you have any stories, events, photos or newsworthy
items that you would like to share, please email
Christine Hammonds at the Métis Commission—
developmentcoordinator@metiscommission.com.
We look forward to hearing from you.
“Advancing transformative change
for the well-being of Métis
children, youth and families.”
Check us out on the internet:
www.metiscommission.com
MCCF Website Updates
In an effort to keep our service providers,
protocol agreement holders, the MCFD
and the community at large connected to
work that is being done at the
Commission, the following updates have
been made to the website this month.
Recipe of the Month
Gum Drop Cake
NEW THIS MONTH:
Ingredients:
1) The “MCCF Work” page has been totally
1 cup butter, 3 eggs, 1 lb.
redesigned to aid in more efficient location of raisins, 3 cups flour, 1/2 tsp.
critical MCCF documentation.
salt, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup
milk, 1 lb. gumdrops (sliced),
2) Policy work has also been updated and now 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp.
includes the MCFD Strategic and Operational vanilla.
Directional Plan 2012/2013—2014/2015
critique and issues of concern document
regarding revisions to the “court of care
plan” (CPOC) template.
3) The role of the MCCF has been added.
Directions:
Dredge raisins and gum drops in some flour.
Cream butter, sugar & eggs,. Add milk and
flour, mix in the remaining ingredients. Bake at
350°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Yield: 12 x 8
cake.
(Recipe from: “Good
4) All of the key findings reports from the Old Cabin Cook-In,”
Cariboo Chilcotin
2011 focus groups have been posted.
Métis Assoc.)
5) New job opportunities are available.