Submitted by: Anne-Marie Armstrong, MNO Métis Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Coordinator

Beading workshop_Fort Frances
Workshop participants take part in a Métis beading
workshop in Fort Frances. (L-R) Millie Witherspoon (MNO
citizen), Gloria Bergner, Donna Law, Yvonne Langlais
(MNO citizen), and Sarah Noonan-Faragher. Click here to
view a larger version of the picture.

Members of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) public service working out of the Fort Frances office hosted a variety of Métis cultural events over the summer months including: berry harvesting, Kids in the Kitchen workshop, Métis cultural appreciation presentations, as well as workshops on dot art and beading. These events engaged both the young and old and provided an opportunity for the community to learn more about Métis people and their history as well as engage in Métis traditions and way of life.

The first beading workshop kicked off in July and was held at the Sunset Country Métis Community Hall. All of the supplies were graciously provided for participants. Additional beading workshops were planned every month from August until November at the Fort Frances Museum. The workshop in July focused on flower beading and provided beginners the opportunity to learn the traditional Métis activity. It also encouraged the more experienced Métis beaders an opportunity to share their knowledge with the group.

During the workshop, MNO staff shared the history of the Flower Beadwork People and introduced the Five Petal Rose, which was created in honour of Métis women and our ancestors. The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to meet new people within their Métis community.

The workshop was led by experienced Métis beaders Dorothy Friday, Traditional Healing Coordinator at Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, and Dylinda George. Throughout the workshop, participants were invited to check out a display that was put together, which featured some of their completed beading projects.

MNO staff would like to thank the MNO Sunset Country Métis Council, Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, and Sherry George, Curator at the Fort Frances Museum, for their support and partnerships that led to the success of the beading workshop and other Métis cultural activities.

Published on: October 24, 2016