Connecting Métis Youth with Knowledge Keepers
Connecting youth over a small urban area and a large rural, remote area with scattered villages is no easy task but since 1996, the North Island Métis Association (NIMA) has engaged all Métis people in the region with their culture, identity, and language.
With funding from United Way BC, NIMA’s “Riel” Talk connects Métis youth with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to learn about their traditions. “We focus on Métis culture and values, especially the Métis value of strength and families,” says Mara, Program Manager.
Currently, the program runs for 45 minutes in six schools, including two elementary schools. Most run every week attracting up to 20 kids a session. “It’s completely optional so we have some who come one week but not another. We have one kid who is taking college classes and hasn’t been able to come but he stops by to pop his head in and say ‘hi’.”
For the most part, students get to choose the activities. “We tailor to ages as well,” says Mara. “We’re doing beading in the middle school right now but that’s tough for a younger kid. Over Christmas, we did Métis mittens, so we cut out felt mittens and gave them beads and sequins to glue on to the felt.” These activities are also part of Mara’s summer project, a researched Agenda Book that includes activities, traditions, culturally learnings, and some dad jokes about bison.
The key, as Mara says is, “to teach them the cultural component without it seeming like a class.” This approach has allowed the class to be open to everyone. “We have one kid who comes every week but doesn’t participate in the activities – but he would show up. He would just come and sit. One day, one of our program leads sat with him and helped him focus on putting together six rows of beads. He was so happy.”
Last year, Mara and her team brought together students from five of the schools for a hide tanning day. She loved seeing the interactions between the older and younger students.
Connecting with their culture and traditions is important to Métis youth as they navigate their way through school into adulthood. United Way BC’s investment into programs like these is a commitment to providing opportunities for youth to thrive.
“Kids love it,” says Mara. “They tell us it’s their favourite part of the week.”