to the Miywasin Centre at 12 noon for a delicious

home cooked meal and stay for music, games

and good company.

Pat at 403-526-0756.

Métis Fiddlers, Joe Blyan (left) and Daniel Gervais (right) testified at the Métis Rights Trial on Monday, January 11, 2010. (Photo by Jason Madden)

 The sound of the fiddle filled the courtroom as Joe Blyan and Daniel Gervais demonstrated Métis fiddle style music – Red River Jig and other tunes on Monday, June 11, 2010 at the historic Métis Rights Trial being held here in Medicine Hat.  Daniel provided a history of the fiddle, explaining the difference between a violin and a fiddle, and he demonstrated the differences between the various styles of fiddle music that are played, such as East Coast, French Canadian, and Celtic.  Joe talked about where he grew up, how he learned to play the fiddle by ear and how Métis fiddle music has always been a part of his life.

Court proceedings are open to the public.  All Métis citizens are welcome to attend the trial and learn about Métis history and our ‘hunt for justice’.  Closing arguments have been re-scheduled to June 23 – 25, 2010.  Thank you to all of the Métis citizens that have come out and testified at the trial; we will be having a FEAST AND CELEBRATION in recognition of our ‘Hunt for Justice’ on Wednesday, June 23 at 5:30 pm at the 5^th Avenue Memorial United Church – Community Room, 476 4^th Street SE, Medicine Hat.    We will be hosting Métis members from throughout the province.  Harvesters please help out with a donation of wild meat; we need volunteer cooks and servers; and calling on all fiddlers and jiggers to come out and share your talents. Let’s all gather together and celebrate our Métis culture.

UPCOMING COURT DATES IN MEDICINE HAT

May 11/12, 2010                    June 23-25, 2010

Volunteers are needed to help prepare lunches while court is on.  Everyone attending court is welcome to come back to the Miywasin Centre for lunch. 

Please call Pat Maxwell at (403) 526-0756 if you can help out.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Métis Nation Local 8 Casino – March 6/7, 2010

Miywasin Society Casino – April 5/6, 2010

If you have the time to help out, please call Lorna at 403-526-0756.

WHERE:    Miywasin Community Room

  523 3^rd Street SE (downtown)

WHEN:        Saturday, February 27, 2010

                                                                                                                                                            Saturday, March 27, 2010

                                                                                                                                                            Saturday, April 24, 2010

                                                                                                                                                            Saturday, May 29, 2010

                                                                                                                                                            Saturday, June 26, 2010

TIME:          5:30 pm

Bring your favorite dish, your favorite games,

or come out and play some music.

Everyone is Welcome.

Community Helpers Program

For more information contact Jonelle Gladue at (403)526-0756.

Medicine Hat Métis Urban Housing Branch – 517 3^rd Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB  T1A 0H2  Ph. (403) 504-4062  Fx. (403) 504-4106

Métis Urban Housing Corporation (MUHC) is a Métis Nation of Alberta owned company that was incorporated in 1982 to provide affordable, adequate and appropriate rental housing for low and moderate income Métis (and other Aboriginal) families within the urban centre’s of Alberta.  In Medicine Hat, we have the Urban Aboriginal Housing units available.  Applications for Housing may be picked up Miywasin Centre, contact Marlene Cadotte, Branch Manager at (403) 504-4062 or online at http://www.muhcab.ca.

Programs Available in the Province:

Urban Aboriginal Housing Program: This program provides rent base on income (RGI) at 25% of total household income. Includes a fixed utility charge. CNIT levels apply to this program.

Affordable Market Housing Program: This program provides accommodations base on a fixed rental rate that is determined to be 20% less than market rates. Includes a fixed utility charge.

Nihgi Métis Seniors Lodge – in Edmonton: This is a fully serviced assisted living facility. Meals, laundry and cleaning are provided.

Emergency / Transition Program: This program provides accommodations based on a fixed rental rate that is determined to be 20% less than market rates. Includes a fixed utility charge.

Homeownership Program: This program provides down payment assistance to qualified buyers.

Home Repair Program: This program provides repair assistance to homeowners for capitol items that are considered health or safety related and in need of replacement / repair. CNIT levels apply to this program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

¥         The Applicant or Co-Applicant must be Aboriginal.

¥         Total household income cannot exceed the program guidelines (core needs income threshold).

¥         You DO NOT qualify if you presently reside in a subsidized housing program or own your own home.

¥         You must have full legal custody of children.  Joint custody will not be considered.  If children are under the care of Children¢s Services, please indicate that as well.

PROCEDURE:

If you feel you qualify for Métis Urban Housing, please fill out your application completely.  Both the Applicant and Co-Applicant must sign and date the document.

Submit with your application:

¥         Proof of native ancestry – Métis Card (contact Métis Nation of Alberta) or Status Card (contact Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) or Inuit Status.

¥                   Alberta Health Care and or SIN for Application & Co-Applicant & AHC for all dependents.

¥                   Two letters of reference from your current and previous Landlords.  If you¢re unable to provide 2 landlord reference letters, you may also submit a personal or character reference.

¥                   Criminal Record Check (Security Clearance) for all applicants over 18 years.  CRC cost is reimbursed in second month of tenancy.

¥                   Medical letters are required if you or someone in your family are handicapped or disabled.

¥                   CCTB Tax Benefit Notice of Assessment for the most recent tax year.

¥                   Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the most recent year.

¥                   Further documentation may be required.

PLEASE NOTE: all applications are processed at the Head Office in Edmonton.  We select tenants according to the date of application and the unit size required (please inquire if more information is needed).  We are not an Emergency Housing Program.  Once accepted, you will be notified.  If there are no units available, your name will be put on a wait list.  You must contact our office each time contact information changes (phone number and/or mailing address).  If after 3 attempts to reach you, we are unsuccessful; your name will be removed from the wait list.

MARCH  2010 YOUTH CALENDAR

APRIL 2010 YOUTH CALENDAR

MAY 2010 YOUTH CALENDAR

JUNE 2010 YOUTH CALENDAR

Contact Kara Bodvarson for more information on activities, field trips

and youth volunteer opportunities at 403-526-0756.

Past Activities

Children’s Christmas Party

   On Saturday, December 5, 2009 the Métis Local and Miywasin Centre partners hosted the annual children's Christmas party at the Medicine Hat Legion.  We had 49 children registered; despite the snow storm, we had a good turn out for the event, including Santa and Mrs. Claus.

  METIS FLAG RAISING CEREMONY     

Métis Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall on Monday, November 16, 2009 -  with Medicine Hat Mayor Norm Boucher

and Métis Veterans: Dale Lawrence, Louis Goodine, Shirley McDonald and John Leask.

Métis showing their pride, wearing sashes and singing the Métis National Anthem

at the flag raising ceremony at city hall in Medicine Hat.

Marlene Lanz, Executive Director for Métis Nation Region 3, brought greetings on behalf of Regional Council.

ELDERS APPRECIATION BANQUET

Elder Honorees:  (in attendance from left to right) Darleen Peters, Pat Maxwell, Emilie Landrie, Wally Garrioch, Donna Kennedy,

Nelson Hogg, Gerald Cadrain, Joan Heppner, Lee Anderson, Shirley McDonald, Dale Lawrence, Louis Goodine and Henry Aaker.

This year's we held our annual Elders Appreciation Banquet on Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Medicine Hat Legion.

Métis Elders in our community are recognized and honoured with a supper and gifts for their contribution to furthering respect and

awareness of Métis culture and history in our community.   They are recognized for their volunteerism, teaching Métis traditions and history,

sitting on boards and committees, and as Métis role models who are proud of their Métis ancestry and their willingness to share their culture.

Over 140 guests were entertained with fiddle music, Métis Jiggers and song.

METIS CULTURAL NIGHT

An audience of over 140 were entertained with Bannock Tasting contest, Sash Finger Weaving Demonstration, Métis sound artist performer ‘Moe Clark’,

Excerpt from the “Trail of Louis Riel” performance by Wally Garrioch, Miywasin Métis Jiggers, and Métis Music by local musicians on Wednesday, November 18, 2009

at the Medicine Hat Esplanade, as part of Métis Week Celebrations in Medicine Hat.

Winners of the Bannock Tasting Contest:  Bailey Davis won for the Best Baked Bannock and Garry and Shirley Hirsekorn won for the Best Fry Bannock. 

Gift baskets were presented by Métis Nation Local 8 President Jeannette Hansen.

Next year's dates are now confirmed...mark your calendars for

'The Hills are Alive' 2010

Music and Dance

Cultural Fest

June 10 - 13, 2010

"The Hills are Alive" Music and Dance Cultural Fest is a four day festival highlighting music, dance and cultural workshops featuring instruction in fiddle/guitar/mandolin/piano/drumming/bagpipes /jigging/square dancing; an artisan area featuring instruction in sash finger weaving; Métis flower beadworking, moccasin making and capote making; a crafting area featuring instruction in a variety of native crafts such as dreamcatchers/ medicine wheels/ medicine bags/loom beading/friendship bracelets; a Métis archival and genealogical educational/research display area with Métis Elders and interpreters teaching Michif and a Metis card game called 'La Barouche'; a native games area; and an open mike stage area where performers can jam and showcase their talents.  In the evenings, we will have concerts featuring our distinguished musical instructors and square dancing to follow.  The evening concerts and square dancing will be held away from the main camp (Camp Apistotoke) and held at the Elkwater Community Hall in the township.