Submitted by: Larry Ferris, MNO Georgian Bay Métis Council Chairperson

MNO Georgian Bay Council members with other volunteers who took part in the tree planting.

On May 9, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Georgian Bay Métis Council illustrated the Métis connection and commitment to the land. MNO citizens and other volunteers planted over 1,000 trees in hopes to reverse the problem dropping water levels near Lafontaine, Ontario.

“It is a proved method of raising water tables by planting trees,” said MNO Georgian Bay Métis Council Chairperson Larry Ferris. “We are providing future habitat for wildlife like deer and turkey.” The creek also provides a habitat for brook trout, Chinook salmon and rainbow trout.

The Council members and volunteers improved the stream by planting dogwood and cedars which will grow roots and secure the creek banks preventing further erosion and eventually shade the stream to prevent evaporation raising the water table. The trees will also retain moisture in the soil.

“It was one of the best plantings I have been involved in,” said Ferris. “I believe that there will be a good rate of survival for the trees we planted. Our volunteers did a fantastic job in taking the time to plant the trees correctly giving them the best chance to survive and thrive.”

Tree planting volunteers and youth hard at work.

The event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers. Special thanks to The Habitat Restoration Association of Lafontaine member Andre Beausoleil, Janice Ferris, The Home & Cottage Centre, Severn Sound Environmental Association and the Georgian Bay Bassmasters who donated $100.00 towards the planting.

Special thanks to Le Villageois for allowing the planting on the land and committing to the future of the stream and the wildlife.

Funding was provided by donations and a $2,000.00 grant from the Ministry of Natural Resources which was received by the MNO Georgian Bay Métis Council Youth and Harvesters Committees.

“It was especially nice to see youth out and involved with this project, they will be the protectors of these trees and this area in the future,” said Ferris. “I hope that all of the people who came out had a good time and understand what a positive difference they made to our environment.”

Merv Ahrens and Wayne Barron displaying their York boats banner at the Fort Frances
Museum.

A Fort Frances artist and historian have teamed up to create a new banner for the Métis exhibit currently on display at the Fort Frances Museum.

Over the past few months, Wayne Barron and Merv Ahrens have worked together on the project, which depicts York boats—once used by the Hudson’s Bay Company to carry furs and trade goods along inland waterways between Fort Frances and York Factory.

Barron contributed hand-painted artwork for the project while Ahrens provided the historical details.

Ahrens said the idea for the piece came up earlier this year at a planning meeting for the exhibit, “Our Local Métis Story,” which will be at the museum until late June.

Ahrens was a member of the team of people working on the “Our local Métis Story” exhibit and has written books on the fur trade, including Fort Lac La Pluie of the North West Company 177?-1821. His books are used in Fort Frances area schools.

The poster depicts York boats, as well as a map and text describing some key points. Barron said he tried to convey the feeling of the era, such as having the map look like it was made of parchment.

“We wanted to make it simple,” Barron remarked. “To make it visually state what it’s talking about even before you read it. It’s about guys making an exciting trip in a big boat that is propelled in various ways.”

The poster was painted on a vinyl canvas and the colours really stand out on the non-absorbent canvas, Barron noted.

“It’s larger than anything I’ve worked on before,” said Barron. “It involved a bit of research. I went [to] Merv, consulted with him, got some archive photographs from the Hudson’s Bay Company, which I based those sepia pictures on.”

For about 40 years, from the 1820s to the 1860s, the York Boat was used to make annual round-trips between Fort Frances and York Factory on Hudson Bay, explained Ahrens.

These would be gruelling treks lasting 70-85 days and covering 3,600 km, he added, noting “that’s rather a spectacular distance.”

York boats carried furs to York Factory and trade goods to Fort Frances, hauling up to two tonnes in each boat.

“Portaging, however, was a difficult task. Far too heavy to carry, the York Boat was dragged on log rollers over rocks, through swamps, and up inclines of 350 metres,” explained Ahrens.

Ahrens pointed out that rather than “paddlers” which would propel birch bark canoe, York boats had a crew of “pullers”—called so as they pulled on the oars, as well as pulled the boats over rocks and other terrain.

“This is a very fine piece that will be displayed in our permanent gallery upstairs once we take down the Métis exhibit,” noted museum curator Sherry George. “We’re very grateful to both gentlemen for this collaboration.”

As many of you know, the Veterans Book Project was launched in early spring 2013 by the Métis Nation of Ontario Veterans' Council (MNOVC). This is a very exciting project indeed, and an opportunity to showcase MNO Veterans.

Here is an opportunity to contribute your Veteran story and be included in the history of our Nation.

See link below for project details.

http://metisvets.webs.com/veteransbookproject.htm

See link below for interviewing guidelines.

http://metisvets.webs.com/interviewingyourvet.htm

Contact:

All submission materials should be sent to Mr. Greg Garratt, Sgt-at-Arms, MNOVC greggarratt63@gmail.com

For any additional information, feel free to contact any of the members of the Metis Nation of Ontario Veterans' Council at mnovc@rogers.com

For our Veterans, our Families, our Communities and our Métis Nation

SEND YOUR INFORMATION TODAY AND BE INCLUDED IN THE VETERANS BOOK PROJECT

Click here to view a power point presentation explaining the program.

Click here to view a brochure explaining the program.

Click here to view an application form for the program.

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Veterans' Council is seeking nominations for vacant positions of its board. Positions the MNO Veterans' Council wishes to fill are:

• Veterans Senator
• Secretary
• Women’s Representative

Requirements to hold these positions are:

• Must be MNO citizen
• Must be recognized by MNO Veterans' Council as a Métis veteran
• Must have access to e-mail
• Must be available to attend quarterly MNO Veteran's Council meetings including the Annual General Assembly

Nominations must be filed in accordance with the MNO Veterans' Council Charter which can be viewed in full by clicking on the link below:

/media/292738/metis%20veterans%20council%20community%20charter%202010.pdf

For further information please contact:

Joseph Paquette
President
MNO Veterans' Council
josephstarman@rogers.com

Danielle Secord and Senator Dora MacInnis

Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Georgian Bay Métis Council Youth Representative Danielle Secord received the Helen Bradley Memorial Bursary in the amount of $3,000 from Senator Dora MacInnis at the May 1 council meeting. The funds for the bursary came from a grant received from Bruce Power.

The Royal Canadian Legion honoured Métis Veteran Edward Dorion by presenting him with a commemorative Aboriginal Veterans Pin on April 18.

The commemorative pin recognizes Canada’s Aboriginal Veterans and their significant contributions. The pin acknowledges the efforts and sacrifices of Veterans from all Aboriginal communities.

Veteran Dorion joined the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in 1954 as a cipher clerk. He spent his first six years residing in Kingston until he served with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). In 1964 he was posted in Ottawa and Carp and 1974 he was with the United Nations Emergency Force, Middle East (NEFME). Four years later Veteran Dorion again served wtih the United Nations until his retirement in 1978.

(Left to right) MNO Moon River Métis Council President Lisa McCron, MNO President Gary
Lipinski, Emily Arnold and MNO Veterans Council Sergeant-at-Arms Greg Garratt.

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Veterans Council presents Louis Riel certificates to MNO citizens who provide the Council with documentation verifying their military service.  Recently the MNO Veterans Council received the documentation from MNO citizen and Veteran Peter Grisdale.

Although Veteran Grisdale was not able to attend a presentation of the certificate personally, at the MNO Moon River Métis Council Annual General Meeting in MacTier on April 23, his sister Emily Arnold, was able to accept the certificate on his behalf.

The certificate was presented by MNO President Gary Lipinski, MNO Moon River Métis Council President Lisa McCron and MNO Veterans Council Sergeant-at-Arms Greg Garratt.

The 2013 Ontario budget introduced yesterday demonstrates that the Ontario government is continuing its commitment to work together with Aboriginal people, including Métis, to insure meaningful participation in decision-making and partnerships that will improve social and economic opportunities. “We see the budget as an on-going example of how the government is living up to the MNO-Ontario Framework Agreement that we signed in 2008,” stated Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) President Lipinski, “the measures outlined show that it continues to share many of the priorities of the MNO.”

“We are pleased the provincial government will provide an additional five million dollars annually to improve Aboriginal student achievement,” stated President Lipinski, “this builds on the significant programming the government already has in place for Aboriginal learners.”

President Lipinski was also pleased to see the government’s commitment in the budget to work on developing a multi-year Aboriginal Children and Youth Strategy. “The MNO is one of the government’s Aboriginal partners in this endeavor.  The proposed strategy will focus on building community-driven, integrated and culturally appropriate supports to  help Aboriginal children and young people grow up healthy and become all they can be,” explained President Lipinski.

The budget also saw the government renew its commitment to the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program (ALGP), which supports Aboriginal participation in the energy sector. President Lipinski was also pleased with the emphasis on improving labour market participation and building a highly skilled workforce. President Lipinski pointed out: “Métis constitute one third of the Aboriginal population in the province and we represent a young and growing demographic. Accordingly, measure in this area whether for the Aboriginal people specifically or the general population will benefit Métis.”

Alexander Boucher (middle) receiving his centennial certificate with MNO President Lipinski (left)
and MNO Moon River Council President Lisa McCron (right).

Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen Alexander Boucher turned 100 years old in January this year. This landmark was celebrated at the recent MNO Moon River Métis Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) in MacTier on April 23. MNO President Gary Lipinski, who was on hand for the AGM and MNO Moon River President Lisa McCron presented Alexander with a certificate recognizing his personal centennial.