President’s Message

or university, you may be eligible for scholarships or of industry matched with the skills and interests of other funding. Again, please contact the LRI or MET. our trainees, is a big part of what we do. This is the approach in our MMF MET partnership initiatives, This past week, I participated in the Aboriginal Skills which have included the Forbes Brothers, Metis N4 and Employment Training Partnerships Conference. Construction, and Enbridge, to mention just a few. In addition to writing the introductory remarks for the conference kit, I also spoke at the conference opening. Taking place in Vancouver, the conference When a family member has a theme mainly focused around the renewal of the job, they are able to contribute Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy financially to the needs and (ASETS) funding. The renewal of the ASETS is critical When a young person receives education and to meeting the needs of our youth and adults looking aspirations of their family...a training leading to a job, they get more than a job. to upgrade their employment skills. job [also] provides many other They get a foundation to build a career. They get pride of accomplishment. They get pride for being ASETS funding is also fundamental tool used by important benefits: a stronger a contributor to their family, community and nation. our MET department to build industry partnerships self-esteem, new knowledge, and These are strengths that can never be taken away. by matching future employees to the training and the opportunity to forge new These are qualities that stay throughout life. The employment needs of industry as well as providing relationships. importance of an education, either on the job, or as a financial and expert supports to both. The ASETS agreement that the MMF currently holds ends this certificate, apprenticeship, diploma or degree, cannot Recently, working with institutional and government year. It has only been extended for another year be overstated. partners, the MMF MET department took steps to instead of renewing for five as normally done. This address the shortages in healthcare workers in rural The Metis are healthy, hard-working taxpayers. extension means funding could cease at the end of and northern communities. We offered an When a family member has a job, they are able to 2016. I believe it is crucial this federal program be 18-month course and graduated many much-needed contribute financially to the needs and aspirations of renewed for another five years and into the future. licensed practical nurses. These are important steps. their family. Being able to pay the rent, buy a car, go The ASETS funding program is critical to economic I have often said that ensuring the health of an to school, purchase groceries, and put away a little development through employment and training. for savings are all day-to-day achievements that add individual also strengthens their family. This will in up to a better life. Yet, a job is more that getting than Appropriately enough, one of the objectives of the turn strengthen the community and the nation. Vancouver Conference was the building of sustainable getting things. A job provides many other important I would like to thank the organizers of the conference partnerships, a role in which MET using ASETS benefits: a stronger self-confidence, new knowledge, for their hard work and congratulations on their funding has been a national leader. The conference and the opportunity to forge new relationships, to accomplishment. I am confident the conference will was a great opportunity to examine best practices name just a few. become an annual event. I would also like to thank our in this partnership development. It also provided elected representatives and staff, and government The MMF though our Metis Employment & Training opportunities for the exchange of information and and corporate officials for the achievements on (MET) department, as well as through our ideas, share approaches, make recommendations, making our industry partnerships such successes. Institute (LRI), provides supports to assist our youth and develop networks with a view to influencing the and adults in getting the education and training they direction of the ASETS renewal. I offer my hopes for our Metis people who are sick need to help get that job. Whether you are currently and shut in. I also offer my prayers for those who The creation of partnerships with industries is an unemployed or underemployed, or in school have departed and my condolences to their family, important part of the MET approach for increasing wondering about next steps, please feel free to get friends and neighbours. My best wishes to all. ahold of the LRI or MET staff for advice on what opportunities for training and employment. Working training programs or employment initiatives might with companies to create an effective and flexible Meeqwetch, work for you. If you are entering or already in college plan to develop the training needed for the growth President David Chartrand, LL.D. (hon), O.M. Métis Students Given Opportunity of a Lifetime Each summer the Louis Riel Institute (LRI) employs Métis students to help provide cultural programming at the Riel House National Historic Site. Located at 330 River Road, the site is the historic family home of Louis Riel, the Métis government leader in 1870 who brought Manitoba into Canadian Confederation. The cultural programming offered by LRI highlights the life of Louis Riel, the river lot system, and the Métis population of Manitoba during the late 1800s. Métis post-secondary and high school students are trained to be historic interpreters by LRI to provide a glimpse into the past to school tours and tourists during the spring and summer. These Riel House Interpreters are taught the history of the Métis people of Manitoba from a global perspective. They visit historically and culturally important Métis places in including St. Boniface Cathedral, St. Vital Historical Society, Manitoba Metis Federation Winnipeg Region and others. These students are also taught specific artisanal skills to pass on to visitors of Riel House. They learn these fine skills from community members who teach them how to sew, bead, and make a sash. Most of the students are also bilingual in French and English. Some of the students also know basic Michif and Cree. As part of their training each student is tasked with learning a Métis skill. In the past students have learned to play the fiddle, make large sashes and Children and youth participate in day camps offered by the even bead an octopus bag. They are trained well Louis Riel Institute at the Riel House National Historic site within the Métis community so they can interpret located at 330 River Road, Winnipeg. School tours can be booked by calling (204) 801-1479. with great confidence the story of the Riel family. The training provided by LRI strengthens and helps affirm their Métis identities. The students also learn to contrast their own contemporary experiences in Find the latest news online Manitoba Metis Federation context with their historical training while learning A ordable Housing Opportunity valuable Métis cultural skills. ManitobaMetisFederationOfficial Brand new triplex available July 1 in Riel House is owned and operated by Parks . Point Douglas. Through a partnership with LRI and the generous @MBMetis_MMF Each 3-bedroom unit is 1025 square feet support of the MMF, the family home of Louis Riel and comes complete with new appliances, in St. Vital provides a welcoming and informative ManitobaMetisMMF washer and dryer. experience for schools and visitors of all ages to learn This is a great family home on quiet about Métis culture, heritage and the history of those www.mmf.mb.ca residential street close to major bus routes who formed Manitoba. Dates for school visits are and schools. still available in English and French; half days or full One parking stall included. days. These school tours and visits make excellent curriculum based or fun end of the year field trips. Rent: $1039.00/month plus utilities Riel House National Historic Site is open in May and No pets and no smoking policies in e ect. June for group tours. In July and August the site is For an application or more information opened to the public. Learn more about the Louis Riel please contact: Institute at Riel House National Historic Site here: Manitoba Metis Federation Housing Facebook: Louis Riel Institute at Riel House National Telephone: (204) 586 -8474 ext. 349 Historic Site | Twitter: @RielHouse | Phone: (204) 801-1479 | Email: [email protected]