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Métis Community Support Worker program

The Métis Community Support Worker five-semester certificate program helps learners complete their adult upgrading and post-secondary courses by incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing.

The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) in partnership with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) are piloting a Métis-specific Community Support Worker program. “This program… help(s) Métis participants get the skills and knowledge they need to find secure and meaningful employment while giving back to their community,” said MNBC president Clara Morin-Dal Col. “The Métis Community Support Worker program… respect(s) and honour(s) Métis culture by creating an ethical space for teaching, learning and incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing within a university setting. We look forward to delivering a program that celebrates our culture and makes a difference in the lives of Métis people in B.C. The program… help(s) learners complete their adult upgrading and post-secondary courses, leading to a certificate as a social and community support worker. Learners…benefit from a full range of educational and wraparound services, including cultural elements and Elder supports, to ensure student success.” (Source.) 

Métis Revitalizing Our Culture Program

The MNBC Ministry of Youth and Métis Youth British Columbia (MYBC) offer an annual Revitalizing Our Culture (ROC) youth forum which seeks to enhance their leadership and employment skills.

The annual Métis youth forum, ‘Revitalizing Our Culture (ROC)’ hosted by MNBC Ministry of Youth and Métis Youth British Columbia (MYBC), provides an opportunity for Métis youth, between the ages of 15 and 30, to enhance their leadership and employment skills and to learn more about themselves and their culture. Past workshops have included: An Introduction to Culinary Arts, the FirstHost Tourism Program, Building Skills for Self-Awareness, Managing Conflict, First Aid CPR Level C, Finding Work in the 21st Century, Healthy Eating 101, Miyo Machihowin: Good Health, as well as a variety of cultural workshops like Ask an Elder, bead looming, porcupine quilling, and more.

School Teacher

Betty Barnaby teaches elementary grade 5/6 students.

Betty Barnaby teaches elementary grade 5/6 students.

Language is Our Spirituality – Our Way of Life

Elder Coordinator and Cree Language Interpreter, Clarence Whitstone speaks on the importance of the Cree Language.

The First Nations University of Canada’s Elder’s Council Coordinator and Cree Language Interpreter, Clarence Whitstone, of the Onion Lake Cree Nation, shares information on the work he does on educating the public about Indigenous topics such as: the Frog Lake Massacre, treaties, residential schools, and languages from the First Nations perspective. Whitstone has over twelve years of proven translation services experience. Whitstone maintains that language and culture can’t be separated and must be preserved for our future generations. First Nations language must be used in all of our ceremonies, cultures and traditions. Language is our spirituality – our way of life.

Niiwin Nodin – Learning That Connection

The education of your own people teaches you differently in all aspects.

The education of your own people teaches you differently in all aspects.

The Junior Water Walkers

Melissa Oskineegish speaks to Peter Cameron, a classroom teacher at St. Elizabeth school in Thunder Bay. Peter describes how the Junior Water Walkers program seeks to honour Elder Josephine Mandamin, who, as a water walker, travelled over 25,000km around the Great Lakes bringing awareness to water conservation. In this interview Peter shares how the Junior […]

Melissa Oskineegish speaks to Peter Cameron, a classroom teacher at St. Elizabeth school in Thunder Bay. Peter describes how the Junior Water Walkers program seeks to honour Elder Josephine Mandamin, who, as a water walker, travelled over 25,000km around the Great Lakes bringing awareness to water conservation. In this interview Peter shares how the Junior Water Walkers program was incorporated into this class and how it continues to evolve. A link to the Junior Water Walkers program and Josephine’s story is found below.

Language Revitalization Program

The Language Revitalization Program, facilitated by Fran Brown in Bella Bella, BC, involves Heiltsuk language learning activities.

Fran Brown has 15 years of experience teaching the Heiltsuk language within the community school in Bella Bella, BC, and has successfully adapted teaching techniques to suit the local children. The Language Revitalization Program connects programs delivered by local organizations to ensure the revitalization of the Heiltsuk language. The resilience of the Heiltsuk teachers and learners can contribute to the future of other languages across Canada.

Albert Dawson – Aboriginal Ecotourism Training Program Participant – BC Canada

Albert Dawson has participated and completed the Aboriginal Ecotourism Training Program (AETP).

The AETP is a program that is delivered in partnership with Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo), and North Island College (Comox). This program is an opportunity for Indigenous students to obtain 33 transferable credits to a university and a variety of certificates including; wilderness first aid, CPR level 3, Radio Operators Certificate – Maritime, first host, as well as kayak/canoe/stand-up paddleboard. This program delivers monthly 7-9 day condensed courses, through a 9-10 month period, and takes place in various communities where participants have the opportunity to meet local business owner/operators obtaining hands-on, lived experiences that simply cannot be learned within a classroom. The AETP has a 100% graduation rate, and has contributed to returning to University, as well as, led to a variety of seasonal and full-time employment for its students.