Programs
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ENVIRONMENT
The Environment team based in Region 6 undertakes numerous projects. Below you will find a summary of projects and findings.
The Askîy Project
This is a community-based environment and climate monitoring program. Dr. James Glasier (Fish and Wildlife Specialist) and Kimberly Mosicki (Environmental Lead) lead this work with support from the Climate team.
Askîy is a community-based environment and climate monitoring program that seeks to conduct environmental and climate monitoring by braiding Traditional Métis Knowledge with western science data (Figure 1)
In 2018-19, engagements were conducted to identify most common environment and climate change concerns amongst Métis citizens (Figure 2-3). Geographic locations of concerns were assessed to target monitoring and which concerns were already being monitored (Figure 4). Identify where Askîy should focus to avoid duplicating research (Figure 5).
The Askîy Advisory Committee is a group of citizens that provide advice and guidance on the community-based monitoring program. This committee includes a community member, an Elder, and a youth representative from each Region. Region 6 representatives include:
Derek Basnett, Community Member
Tutchone Dunefield, Youth Member
The Provincial Traditional Plant Monitoring Project
This will address citizen concerns surrounding berry health by establishing long-term monitoring plots across the province to measure and assess berry plant health.
Two survey locations will be identified within each Region and there will be future opportunities to participate in monitoring work. Region 6 citizens are encouraged to complete the survey and share their knowledge of berry harvesting.
Partnered with the University of Alberta Sustainability Scholars to have two researchers conduct targeted plant-related research. Scholar, Sarah De Lano, is addressing citizens’ concerns regarding herbicide and pesticide use in urban parks and the impact on harvesting traditional plants. Scholar, Yinghang Li, is conducting a bio-diversity study at Métis Crossing, documenting existing plant species and health indicators. Data will be used in ongoing monitoring at the site.
Future engagement sessions are planned for Fall 2020 to expand on the previous climate and environment sessions to hear citizens' concerns and knowledge with a more in-depth conversation, including concerns surrounding traditional plants, fish, wildlife, caribou, and water.
Figure 1. Braiding
Figure 2. Number of environmental and climate concerns within each base issue based on CBCM engagements
Figure 3. Key words from the CBCM engagements regarding environmental concerns
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Figure 4. Heat map showing the concentration of concern locations expressed during the CBCM engagement.
Figure 5. Most commonly shared concerns and current monitoring status by other researchers
Figure 6. MNA ice fishing event
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Migratory Birds – Harvesting Survey
An online survey was launched asking harvesters about migratory bird harvesting practices, including numbers and Wildlife Management Units (WMU) locations. In total, 333 harvesters completed the survey. A total of 1,369 birds from 24 bird species were reported as harvested from 36 WMUs (Figure 7 and 8).
The most harvested migratory birds were the mallard and Canada goose. Métis ethnobiology research has found 20 of the 29 surveyed species had unique names used by Métis harvesters. Future surveys will continue to be online, with plans to expand and extend the survey to capture more respondents.
Figure 7. Map showing migratory bird harvesting locations by WMU and harvest numbers for each location
Figure 8. Migratory bird harvesting survey results, indicating harvest numbers for each bird species surveyed
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Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area
Environment, in partnership with Consultation, is working to establish an MNA Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA). The process of investigating a potential IPCA area at Métis Crossing has begun, including community meetings (Figure 9). The environment is also investigating other potential IPCA locations and will be hosting province-wide engagement sessions to receive community input.
Figure 9. Metis Crossing IPCA community meeting
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, & Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) monitoring program is a Canada wide community monitoring database of local precipitation data, with four MNA units contributing. Rain gauges are installed and checked daily, with measured precipitation added to an online database (Figure 10)
MNA Monitoring locations:
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The MNA Provincial Office in Edmonton;
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Outside of Bonnyville;
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Métis Crossing; and
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The Region 6 office in Peace River.
Figure 10. Snow collected for precipitation monitoring at the MNA head office
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HARVESTING
Good News! Alberta RELM and Métis Harvester Update
Our Harvesting Team has been working with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to better serve our
harvesters. We can now process and update Alberta RELM accounts of our approved MNA harvesters!
What does this mean for MNA approved harvesters?
If you provided your Wildlife Identification Number (WiN) on your harvester application, your Alberta
RELM account has been recently updated to “Recognized Métis Harvester”, which includes your
approved MNA harvesting area(s). You no longer have to go to a Fish and Wildlife office!
Get your free Domestic Fishing License (DFL) through your RELM account!
Simply follow these instructions:
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Log-on to your Alberta RELM account
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Hover over the “Purchase” tab at the top of the page click on “Fishing Licenses”
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Select “Domestic Fishing License (Métis)” and add to cart
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Click Check Out to print off your fishing license
Note: DFLs expire annually on March 31 st and must be renewed.
Don’t have an Alberta RELM account or a WiN?
Go to albertarelm.com and create an account to get your WiN.
Once you have created an account, please send an email to harvesting@metis.org with ‘Domestic
Fishing License’ in the subject line, and provide the following:
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A picture of the front and back of your approved MNA harvester card
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Your new WiN
Please allow 1-3 business days for your status to be updated in Alberta RELM and then follow the above
instructions above to print off your DFL.
Think you have an account and WiN, but can’t remember password or number?
Call the RELM Help Desk at 1-888-944-5494 for assistance. They will give your number and reset your
password.
Note: Please abide by all domestic fishing rules, regulations, and conditions.
If you have any questions, please email harvesting@metis.org with “Domestic Fishing License” in the
subject line.
Click here to download your Métis harvesting appication.
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HEALTH
The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is committed to improving the health outcomes of Métis Albertans to maintain a strong and motivated community, which is why a number of critical health promotion initiatives focused on improving the health and wellness of community members are being implemented.
For more information about health initiatives, or if you require any assistance, please contact the MNA Provincial Office at 780-455-2200 or toll-free at 1-800-252-7553 or email health@metis.org.
COMPASSIONATE CARE
Cancer Transportation Pilot Program
The Compassionate Care: Cancer Transportation Pilot Program provides financial assistance to MNA citizens living in Region 1, 5, or 6 who must travel to and from their cancer-related appointments. Funding is limited, but this pilot will guide the future expansion of this service to other regions.
Rider Eligibility:
• Must be a Métis citizen, or in the process of getting citizenship
• Open to all ages. If under 18, the rider must be accompanied by a guardian
• Live in Region 1, 5, or 6
• In need of transportation to and from cancer-related appointments
• Access to an operational vehicle
• Must have a driver to and from appointment. Family & friends are acceptable
To apply for transportation services, fill out an intake form and email to the
Program Administrator at health@metis.org. Call 780-455-2200 Ext. 403 for more
information. Citizen ID MUST be provided to be considered for this program.
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Region 6 Youth Initiatives
Cultural Enrichment Programs
Métis Youth! Come build connections to your community through learning your culture. These FREE Cultural Enrichment courses are offered to youth aged 12- 29 throughout the year. There are a variety of courses offered to learn traditional Métis skills. Examples: Finger Weaving, Jigging, Caribou Tufting, Beading, Fish Scale Art, Fiddling Workshop, etc.
Weekly Youth Groups
The MNA is excited to offer weekly hangouts for youth aged 12-29. Come check it out, meet new friends and build lasting connections to your community.
Life Skills Programming
Ready to learn new skills? The MNA offers FREE personal development programs both online or in person. Check out our cooking classes, Non- Restricted Firearms Safety Course or our 10 free online personal development
courses.
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, Youtube @abmetisyouth
For more about provincial youth initiatives click here
MÉTIS HOUSING
Métis Housing consists of the Métis Capital Housing Corporation (MCHC, incorporated in 2007) and the Métis Urban Housing Corporation of Alberta Inc. (MUHC, incorporated in 1982), owned by the Métis Nation of Alberta.
They were created to provide affordable rental housing to low and moderate-income Métis and other indigenous families in Alberta. The two companies (MUHC & MCHC) maintain and manage rental accommodations, providing housing to over 3,000 residents in 14 urban centres throughout Alberta. As non-profit corporations, we are responsible for renting and maintaining the units. This is a responsibility that covers administration and operations.
Métis Housing has successfully provided affordable shelter to Métis, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Albertans since 1982 and is recognized by our funders, partners and the Métis Nation of Alberta as an effective, efficient and reliable provider of housing management services.
Metis Housing maintains offices in Peace River and Grande Prairie. For more information about rental opportunities or the Metis home ownership program, please contact Metis Housing directly.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Peace River
9719A 90 Avenue
Peace River, AB T8S 1G8
(780) 624-5486
peaceriver@metishousing.ca
Grande Prairie
321, 9804 100 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0T8
(780) 539-1910
(780) 539-1902
gp@metishousing.ca
More information can be found here