Submitted by Marsha Depotier, MNO Victim Services Coordinator
Mothers, daughters and nieces that took part in the Mother’s Day event.
On Wednesday, May 7, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) staff in MNO’s Bancroft office, in collaboration with the Bancroft Early Years Centre and Children’s Mental Health, hosted the Third Annual Lemon Lime Gala. This event is organized to pay tribute, honour and thank the many mothers within the Bancroft community as part of Mother’s Day. The evening was filled with laughter, love and sharing.
More than 50 mothers were in attendance and the evening started with a mock tail hour and time to get to know each other. MNO staff members Tracey Dale and Robin Simpson offered opening remarks and welcomed the mothers for an evening of fun and pampering.
Métis elder, Milley Simpson, offered the opening prayer for the event. MNO staff member Marsha Depotier shared a teaching about Indigenous motherhood and the responsibilities women have to the water, to each other and for all of Creation.
The women were treated to a wonderful meal which included salad, buns, chicken, pasta with white sauce, vegetables and ended with homemade lemon loaf and whipped cream.
Entertainment followed from Echo Featherstone who shared “How to bring sexy back to motherhood,” and Mary Mask as “Helga the inspirational belly dancer.”
The evening finished with having each woman pop a balloon that held an inspiration quote inside, which was read aloud as a group.
The event was a great opportunity to have mothers come together and be acknowledged and uplifted as the life givers, life carriers and life sustainers that they are.