MNO Youth Leadership Conference: Exploring Culture Through Creation

Jordyn Playne
President, MNOYC and Youth Representative, Provisional Council of Métis Nation of Ontario

Jordyn currently resides in Penetanguishene and is a descendent of Dusome-Clermont Métis family line from Drummond Island. Jordyn served as the Region 7 Youth Representative on the Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council from 2016 to 2020. She is a social worker and mental health advocate. Jordyn has a Master’s Degree in Social Work within the Indigenous field of study program from Wilfred Laurier, a Bachelor of Social Work from Lakehead University and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology and Canadian Studies.

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Evan Accettola
Chair, MNOYC

Evan Accettola is from Guelph in Region 9 and is a descendent of the Dusome-Clermont Métis family line from Drummond Island. Evan has been on the council for a year now as Chair. They are also part of the Two-Spirit Working Group and have been an Infinite Reach Facilitator for two years. Evan is attending school to complete their BA in Sociology/Criminology at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. Evan also has a Certificate in Indigenous Knowledge and Experiences from Toronto Metropolitan University. They are licensed as a Practical Nurse and sit on the Canadian Nurses Association Indigenous Relations Circle.

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Emily O’Connor
Region 1 Youth Representative

Emily O’Connor is the Region One Youth Representative. She is a descendant of the Morrisseau family line in northwestern Ontario and currently resides in Kenora. She is a graduate of University of Winnipeg and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Conflict Resolution.

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Madyson Campbell
Region 2 Youth Representative

Madyson Campbell was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is the Region 2 Representative on the Metis Nation of Ontario Youth Council. She is entering her 4th year of a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of British Columbia.

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Samantha Picotte
Region 3 Representative

Samantha Picotte is the Youth Representative for Region 3. However, Sam has been involved with the MNO for as long as she can remember. Samantha was the Youth Representative for the Timmins Métis Community Council before this current role. Samantha’s main goal is to encourage the education of Métis culture and history in elementary and high schools in her region. Sam is looking forward to learning and building new relationships with other youth!

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Kelly Duquette
Region 6 Youth Representative

Kelly Duquette is a Métis artist and lawyer from Atikokan, Ontario in Treaty 3, Halfbreed Adhesion Territory. She is a decedent of the Desjarlais, Lucier, and McKay (to name a few) families from the Red River area, and the Region 6 Youth Representative on the Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council. Throughout the duration of her legal studies, Kelly specialized in Indigenous law and participated in a number of Indigenous focused internship opportunities. Prior to law school, Kelly graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree and a minor in Indigenous studies from the University of Ottawa. Kelly was not introduced to her Métis heritage until later in her childhood and has found artistic inspiration through the discovery of her hidden identity.

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Dalton Latondress
Region 7 Youth Representative

Dalton Latondress’ family is from the community of Penetanguishene, and his family descends from the Brissette-L’Hirondelle Line. He is continuing his education this September at Cambrian College for Environmental Technician. Dalton has sat as the Youth Representative on the Georgian Bay Métis Council from 2015 to 2019. He has been an active volunteer in the community for over 10 years. Dalton is looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the youth of the community, and is excited to see how we can work together as a nation.

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Gabrielle Moreau
Region 8 Youth Representative

Gabrielle grew up in Toronto and is entering into her first year of studies in public policy, environmental science, and Indigenous studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. Her Métis ancestry comes from the Red River region and can be traced back to Louis Riel’s family. She first became involved in the Métis community volunteering for the Toronto and York Region Métis Council. Gabrielle is excited to meet other Indigenous youth from across the United States during her university studies and to bring an understanding of community-driven solutions to issues facing Indigenous groups in the United States back with her to the MNOYC.

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Paige Coture
Region 9 Youth Representative

Paige Coture is the Youth Representative for Region 9. Her family is from the Great Lake Community. For over 20 years, Paige’s grandfather has been involved with the MNO, as well as being the President for a council in Owen Sound. Paige graduated with honors in the Educational Support Program at Conestoga College. Paige is looking forward to this amazing opportunity to be on the MNOYC. As well, she hopes to make lasting relationships with the people who share our culture.

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Hannah Bazinet
Post-Secondary Representative on the PCMNO

Hannah Bazinet currently resides in Toronto, ON — in Region 8. Hannah’s Métis ancestry comes from the historic Métis community of Penetanguishene. She completed her BSc in Medical Biophysics at Western University where she was an Infinite Reach Facilitator, and now attends University of Toronto/Michener Institute for Radiation Therapy. Hannah’s main goal in this term is to create safe spaces for our youth to communicate their opinions and concerns , and hopes to act as an informed representative for Métis post-secondary students; working from the grassroots, upwards.

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TUESDAY,  AUGUST 16, 2022 – Intercontinental

• • Welcoming Remarks
  • Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council

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WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST 17, 2022 – Intercontinental

• • Senator Suzanne Brunelle, Métis Nation of Ontario
  • Margaret Froh, President, Métis Nation of Ontario

• • Cassidy Caron, President Métis National Council
  • Autumn Larose-Smith, Provincial Métis Youth Council President - Saskatchewan
  • Madison Tipler, Director of Youth Programs and Services, Métis Nation of Alberta
  • Hannah Nash, Métis Nation of Alberta Youth Council
  • Shaughn Davoren, Minister of Youth and Chair for Métis Youth British Columbia

• • Breakout #1: Flower Tufting with Marissa Magneson
  • Breakout #2: Screen Printing with Dylan Miner
  • Breakout #3: Zero-Waste Kit with Cassidy Press
  • Breakout #4: Fish Scale Art with Jacob Mackenzie

• Breakout #1: Spoken Word with Zoey Roy
• Breakout #2: Metis Beadwork Design Concepts, Principles and Practices with Mitch Case

2:30 – 4:15 PM - Health Break

2:45 – 4:15 PM 
PANEL DISCUSSION – ‘Art as a Business’
(Justine Woods, Pandora , Dylan Miner, Marissa Magnesson)

4:15 – 4:30 PM
Day 1 Reflection

4:30 PM • Meeting Adjourns

7:00 – 10:00 PM
OPTIONAL WORKSHOP:
Musical Night (Various Metis Artists Perform)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2022 – Intercontinental & AGO

• Breakout #1: Metis Beadwork Design Concepts, Principles and Practices with Mitch Case
• Breakout #2: Birchbark Biting with Dylan Miner
• Breakout #3: Sculpting with George Simmard

Creative Writing Workshop • Bekki Wilson

Bekki Wilson (they/them) is a proud two-spirit citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), descending from the Coutures formerly of Drummond Island. Bekki grew up in the Great Lakes Metis region where they briefly served as a youth representative. Bekki's career has taken them down many paths including working in the Registry, Education and Communications departments at the MNO, managing an Indigenous youth sport leadership program, and supporting First Nation Municipal relationship building on solid waste management.

Bekki now works in Indigenous Relations with the Nuclear Waste Management organization where they develop and deliver training on Reconciliation and how to build and maintain respectful relationships with Metis and First Nations communities. In 2014, Bekki published The Tiny Voyageur, a children's book about a young girl's discovery of Métis history. The book can be purchased on Amazon, Indigo and on the Friesen Press website.

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Fishscale Art Workshop • Jacob & Jaime Morse

Jacob McKenzie: Métis on his maternal side from northern Alberta / Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement. Scottish & Kanienkehaka from Tyendinaga Territory on his paternal side.

Jaime Morse: Métis on her paternal side and second-generation German-Canadian on her maternal side. Fishscales are collected from Randy Mercier (Jaime’s father & Jacob’s moshum; of Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement).

Fish scale art is a way to reconnect intergenerationally with traditional Indigenous knowledge and with family affected by colonial policies such as MMIW, residential and day schools and the 60’s scoop. The fishscales are cleaned, dyed and dry before using them in floral arrangements usually ok black velvet. The art form comes from Lac La Biche, Alberta and is taught at their local college. The workshop includes a background on fishscale art, shared experiences through a power point presentation and materials with instruction to create a small fish scale art project that folks can take home with them.

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Métis Beadwork Design Concepts, Principles and Practices • Mitch Case 

Mitch Case is a proud Métis citizen from the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community. Mitch is a community based historian, focusing on the history of Ontario Métis communities; especially those around the Great Lakes. In June of 2020, Mitch was elected to serve as the Region 4 Councillor on the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Mitch was elected on a platform of advancing Métis Self-Government, improving communication, advancing Métis culture, and most importantly advancing the historic claims of Métis community in then Sault Ste Marie, Superior East, Huron North Shore area.

Mitch has served as a Youth Representative at the local and regional levels and was elected President of the Métis Nation of Ontario Youth Council (MNOYC) in 2012, and re-elected in 2016. Mitch is passionate defender of the Métis right to self determination and volunteers in schools, colleges and universities across Ontario where he is invited to speak about Métis culture, history, traditions, rights and contemporary issues.

Mitch serves on several boards and committees at the local, provincial and national levels. Mitch is a graduate of Algoma University where he studied Anishinaabemowin and History. Mitch is an avid beadworker, who practices a traditional Métis Floral beadwork style. Mitch began beading in 2012, when he learned to bead in order to prepare gifts for his elders when he became Midewiwin (Great Lakes Indigenous spiritual society.) In the years since, Mitch has become a very well respected beadworker, known across the Métis Nation. Mitch is known for his traditional floral style that has been described as “Old School” “keeping the Métis floral tradition alive” and “firmly rooted in a Métis way of seeing the world.” Mitch is a former member of the Premier’s Council on Youth Opportunities which advises the Ontario Premier and 24 Ministries and Agencies on youth policy.

www.mitchcase.ca  |  www.redbubble.com/people/MitchCase/shop

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Screen Printing Workshop • Dylan Miner

Dylan Miner is an artist, activist, and scholar. He is a Professor and Interim Dean in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities at Michigan State University (MSU). Dylan also serves as Director of American Indian and Indigenous Studies at MSU. He holds a PhD in Art History from The University of New Mexico. As an artist, he has hung more than two dozen solo art exhibitions, as well as participated in more than 115 group exhibitions. He has published extensively, including a booklet on Métis and Anishinaabe beadwork and a notebook for learners of Anishinaabemowin. In addition to this year’s conference, he has presented at the last four Métis Youth Leadership Conferences and hopes to be invited back next year. Dylan is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario.

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Spoken Word Workshop • Zoey Roy

Artist. Activator. Aunty. Zoey Roy is a rebel with a cause. A humorous presenter and a luminous storyteller, Zoey offers practical wisdom for thriving amongst the violence of settler colonialism. A lover of words, synthesizing knowledge and performance, she has spent the last 13 years traveling the globe sharing her gift of gab. Zoey is a multidisciplinary artist with an insatiable appetite for learning and growing. She has a Bachelor’s of Education, a Master’s of Public Policy and is now embarking on a PhD in Education.

Zoey is Nehithaw-Dené and Michif, a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Northern Saskatchewan, and is now based in Kingston, ON where she lives with her partner. Zoey facilitates songwriting workshops almost daily. Operating independently, she maintains a working relationship with the National Arts Centre, Taking IT Global, and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund so classrooms across Canada get access to music programming for free.

Her partner produces the music! Zoey’s career can largely be attributed to the quality of friendships she has fostered, developed and maintained. As someone who needed witnesses early on in her life, she knew her support system was her lifeline. Her home community of Saskatoon and beyond continue to celebrate her. She was awarded the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the Indspire Award, and the Saskatchewan Teaching and Learning Award. Zoey shares a message about love and wonderment, how she used it in her life to propel her in the direction of her dreams, and how she found gratitude along the way.

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Tufter Flower Workshop • Marissa Magneson

Marissa Magneson is a Cree-Métis artist, photographer, educator, and workshop facilitator. She has a BFA honours degree from York University and a Master’s degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies from Trent University. Her research explores Indigenous methodologies using beadwork as visual storytelling. Marissa's work is centred around decolonizing education, strengthening community and cultural reclamation. In her collaborative work with various organizations, Marissa works towards photographing, consulting, educating, and creating programming in meaningful ways. Marissa looks forward to pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at York University in the fall of 2022 where she will be researching beadwork as pedagogy, a bridge toward reconciliation and cultural reclamation.

Instagram: @MagnesonStudios / @MarissaMagneson | Photography Website

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Zero-waste Kit And Beeswax Wrap Workshop • Cassidy Press

Hello / Taanshi! I am a Métis citizen from the traditional Métis community of Georgian Bay (Region 7), currently residing in my hometown of Penetanguishene. I have previous experience working with the MNO in the Summer Youth Program for many years. I graduated from Trent University with a B.Sc. Honours degree in Indigenous Environmental Science and a minor in Psychology. My studies focused strongly on the global health of Indigenous Peoples, and how this is related to the environmental crises we are facing today. She recently completed the Funeral Director/Embalming program at Humber College to expand on my interpersonal skills and continue my education in another science-related field. I am now working as a Climate Change Advisor in the Lands, Resources & Consultations (LRC) Branch in the MNO. Thank-you / Maarsii!

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Sculpting Workshop • George Simmard

George Simmard is a 62-year-old Métis clay sculptor from Clearwater Territory. George was born and raised in Thunder Bay and was a Sculptor at the Toronto School of Art. He is now living in the country near Simcoe, Ontario. Featured in this picture is a sculpture George Simmard made of his dear friend Elder Leon who is a drum maker.

‘Art As A Business’ Panel
Wednesday August 17 @ 2:45 PM

Pandora Wilhelm: Pandora is the mother of four children and along with her husband Matthew, lives on the unceded territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in Linwood, Ontario. Pandora was born and raised predominantly in the Georgian Bay area of Ontario. She is a proud Métis woman and is extensively involved in her Indigenous Community. Growing up with a musician father, Pandora has always had a strong passion for music. She is currently an Early Childhood Education student at First Nations Tech Institute and aspires to be a Métis Educator. Pandora is passionate about reconnecting the children of our communities with their traditional languages through hands on learning.

Justine Woods: Justine Woods is a garment artist, designer, creative scholar and educator based in Tkaronto (Toronto, Ontario). She is a current Doctoral Student in the Media and Design Innovation Ph.D. program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Justine’s research and design practice centres Indigenous fashion technologies and garment-making as practice-based methods of inquiry toward re-stitching alternative worlds that prioritize Indigenous resurgence and liberation. Born and raised in Tiny, Ontario, Justine is a member of the Georgian Bay Métis Community and is a descendant of the St. Onge and Berger- Beaudoin families.

Marissa Magneson: Marissa Magneson is a Cree-Métis artist, photographer, educator, and workshop facilitator. She has a BFA honours degree from York University and a Master’s degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies from Trent University. Her research explores Indigenous methodologies using beadwork as visual storytelling. Marissa's work is centred around decolonizing education, strengthening community and cultural reclamation. In her collaborative work with various organizations, Marissa works towards photographing, consulting, educating, and creating programming in meaningful ways. Marissa looks forward to pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at York University in the fall of 2022 where she will be researching beadwork as pedagogy, a bridge toward reconciliation and cultural reclamation.

Instagram: @MagnesonStudios / @MarissaMagneson | Photography Website

Dylan Miner: Dylan is an artist, activist, and scholar. He is Dean and Professor in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities at Michigan State University. In 2018, he began collaborating to re-print early twentieth-century graphics from the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He has hung 28 solo art exhibitions, as well as participated in more than 115 group exhibitions. Born and raised in Michigan, Dylan Miner is a registered citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). He is a Métis rights-holder from the historic Georgian Bay Métis community - one of seven recognized s.35 rights-bearing Métis communities in Ontario - with an older, ancestral relation to Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta.

Indigenous Film Making Panel
Thursday August 18 @ 10:15AM

Matt LeMay: Matt is a multiple award-winning Métis filmmaker, who owns and operates LeMay Media. Matt is an innovator in the field of documentary film with a strong focus on reconciliation and the environment. Matt was Canadian Geographic's Inaugural Filmmaker in Residence and the Co-founder of Indigenous Geographic. Matt is a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and his root ancestors are the Clermont Dusome family that originally hails from the Red River region of Manitoba, Drummond Island & Penetanguishene Ontario. Matt currently lives in the Ottawa Valley with his wife Jennifer and his daughters Ella and Noa.

Tina House: Reporting from the frontlines of Standing Rock and the fight against pipelines – to getting an exclusive tour and reporting from inside the former Kamloops Indian Residential – Canada’s own House of Horror’s – Tina House joined APTN National News in 2007 as a Video Journalist covering stories across BC. A proud Métis from BC, Tina began her television career in 1997 as a Talent Agent for film and TV. In 2010, she was the recipient of the Amnesty International Human Rights Journalism Award for her story on murdered and missing women and girls. Her early career included public speaking to thousands of Indigenous youth and inspiring them to reach for their dreams and get into film and television. Along with reporting on many important issues and giving a voice to those that can’t speak for themselves, she also dedicates her life to helping people. Tina recently just won the Canadian Screen Award for Best National Reporter.

• Please contact Melissa St. Amant if you have any questions or concerns during the conference. Text or call Melissa at: 705-529-9957 or mail: melissas@metisnation.org.
• If you have an emergency please call 911. The closest hospital to the Intercontinental is St. Michael’s Hospital located at 30 Bond Street, Toronto, M5B 1W8. 
• Taxi Services: Taxis are stationed on Front Street which is right outside the front entrance of the Intercontinental. You can also call Beck Taxi at 416-751-5555.

For MNO AGA information and agenda see: www.mnoaga.ca