A message from LFMO President, Melanie Omeniho
Dear Friends,
This past season has been full of powerful moments for Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO). We have been out both in Canada and on the world stage, making sure the voices of Métis women, gender-diverse people, and families are not only heard but respected and acted on. From policy tables to cultural gatherings, every step we have taken has been rooted in our traditions, values, and the lived experiences of our people.
We know political changes can bring uncertainty. Governments shift, priorities move, and too often decisions are made without us in the room. I want you to know that LFMO is not going anywhere. We will keep listening to you, responding to what matters most, and raising the issues you bring forward. The safety, wellbeing, and rights of Métis women and gender-diverse people cannot wait.
In this newsletter, you will see some of what we have been up to, including joining the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, working with partners to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and creating spaces for cultural pride, healing, and connection. These are just some of the ways your voices are shaping our work.
As we look ahead, we will keep building on what we have started, growing the projects that are making a difference, and exploring new ways to meet the needs and hopes of Métis women and gender-diverse people. Everything we do is grounded in the strength of our history, the richness of our culture, and the determination of our people to keep moving forward together.
In friendship and solidarity,
Melanie Omeniho
President, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak
** News
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** Employment and Social Development Canada Report
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In partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), we are proud to present our annual report in an oral format, in alignment with Métis oral tradition. This report reflects thoughtful planning and a deep commitment to honouring Métis identity, tradition, and cultural heritage. We hope this format sets a meaningful precedent for future reports, continuing to uphold the oral traditions of our ancestors.
In conversation with Gerald Gosselin, Director General of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), LFMO President Melanie Omeniho reflects on the growth and transformation of our organization over the past year. Throughout this time, LFMO has worked closely with ESDC to build a strong, collaborative, and mutually respectful relationship. This relationship is rooted in the spirit of Wahkohtowin, a Cree concept that speaks to kinship, interconnection, and our shared responsibilities to one another and the world around us.
This meaningful partnership has been instrumental in advancing our efforts to uphold the rights, safety, and self-determination of Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Together, we continue to foster pathways for equity, healing, and systemic change that are led by community and grounded in cultural strength.
Watch the video: https://metiswomen.org/resource/lfmo-esdc-oral-report/
** UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) 24th Session
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Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) participated in the Twenty-Fourth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York City in April. LFMO’s presence was a powerful declaration of the strength, unity, and resolve of Métis women and gender-diverse people. We were honoured to be joined by Aluki Kotierk, Vice-Chair of the United Nations Forum on Indigenous Peoples. She has held a long standing career as an Inuk leader and politician, an advocate for the Nunavut land claims organization, and has built her career in several executive level public service roles. Elected in 2024, Kotierk is the first Inuk person from Canada to chair the UNFPII.
The UNPFII focuses on advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous peoples worldwide. Since 2000, it has guided the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on critical issues including culture, health, education, environment and climate change, human rights, and sustainable development.
The Forum brings together Indigenous leaders and international governments to advance Indigenous self-determination, cultural resurgence and revitalization, and land rights, grounded in the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
As part of our engagement, LFMO hosted a side event titled “Bringing UNDRIP to Life: Indigenous Women Leading the Way.” The international panel, chaired by Brenda Gunn, Professor, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law, and scholar on UNDRIP, featured Melanie Omeniho, Gianella E. Sanchez Guimaraes (Shipibo-Konibo), Charlie Le Grice (Human Rights First), Josie Nepinak (Native Women’s Association of Canada), and Sara Omi (Women’s Movement Representative, Global Alliance of Territorial Communities). Panelists tackled urgent global challenges, addressing gender-based violence connected to extractive industries, calling for justice reform, highlighting gaps in data collection, and championing Indigenous-led, cross-border collaboration through efforts like the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Trilateral Working Group.
The session emphasized that violence against Indigenous women is global, structural, and persistent, and that UNDRIP and Canada’s United Nations Declaration Act (UNDA) are not symbolic gestures, but essential tools for dismantling colonial systems and advancing reconciliation. As one panelist noted, “International collaboration isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s necessary for Indigenous women to not just have a seat at the table, but to help build the table.”
Throughout the forum, LFMO stood alongside Indigenous women leaders and human rights advocates from around the world in calling for the full realization of Indigenous rights.
LFMO President Melanie Omeniho stated, “It’s about justice. It’s about dignity. And it’s about the right to live well, on our own terms.”
LFMO remains committed to carrying forward the unfinished work of advancing the rights and self-determination of Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. We look forward to continuing these conversations, and turning them into meaningful action, in the years to come.
** Two Spirit Gathering
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LFMO is proud to share highlights from the mawiiyahk nakatikashoo National Métis Two Spirit Gathering in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. From June 20 to 23, mawiiyahk nakatikashoo, meaning “leave no one behind,” welcomed participants into a space of inclusion, healing, and cultural pride. Through meaningful activities rooted in Métis tradition and spiritual teachings, the gathering honoured the unique gifts and identities of Métis Two Spirit people.
The term “Two-Spirit” was created by and for Indigenous people in 1990 at the Third Annual Intertribal Native American/First Nations Gay and Lesbian Conference in Winnipeg. Though the term itself is relatively new, Two-Spirit people have always existed. Long before colonization disrupted traditional Indigenous understandings of gender and sexuality, Two-Spirit people were deeply respected for their spiritual gifts.
At the gathering, Dr. Chantal Fiola delivered a powerful and thought-provoking presentation rooted in conversations with eight 2SLGBTQQIA+ ceremonial leaders and participants from across the Motherland. Their reflections opened up critical dialogue on how to affirm and uplift queer voices within traditionally heteronormative spaces, particularly within Indigenous ceremonial spaces.
LFMO’s Two Spirit Initiatives Manager, Nic Taylor, shared key findings from recent research highlighting the experiences of 2SLGBTQQIA+ Métis people, including the impacts of gender and orientation-based violence, and opportunities for advocacy, cultural programming, and community support.
Throughout the gathering, participants engaged in activities from exploring Michif language teachings that recognize gender and sexual diversity within Métis culture, to learning about traditional tattooing as a form of medicine rooted in land, lineage, and gender expression. The event culminated in a joyful celebration of identity and self-expression at the Passion Show, featuring drag performer Riel Deadly (@RielDeadly on Instagram).
Mawiiyahk nakatikashoo marked the beginning of a powerful new chapter, the first of many gatherings that will continue to bring together Métis Two Spirit people from across the Motherland to honour their stories, celebrate their identities, and build a community grounded in pride, joy, and cultural connection.
Visit https://mawiiyahknakatikashoo.com/ to learn more about the Métis 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Committee.
Follow @mawiiyahknakatikashoo on Instagram!
** Project Updates
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** MMIWG2S+ Database Project Partnership
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On May 5th, 2025 (Red Dress Day), LFMO joined Pauktuutit Inuit Women, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), and 2 Spirits in Motion Society (2SiMS) on Parliament Hill to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership focusing on MMIWG2S+ data collection.
This partnership focuses on the creation of a comprehensive database of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, includinginformation about cold cases that have gone unsolved for many decades. In addition to this work, LFMO is creating a Metis-specific database to track missing and murdered
Metis women and girls. This work is vital in achieving justice for Metis MMIWG2S+: understanding the complex roots of this crisis helps shape better policies to protect Indigenous women.
Disaggregated data that distinguishes between Inuit, Métis, and First Nations MMIWG2S+ is essential to fully understanding the scope and complexity of this crisis. Our aim of this project is to paint a clearer picture of the realities facing Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and guide meaningful, collaborative action to ensure their safety and well-being.
We look forward to sharing more of this work in the near future. To learn more about the project, and how you can get involved, click here: https://metiswomen.org/project/mmiwg2s-database-project-partnership/
** Sexual & Reproductive Health Info Sheets
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We are pleased to share this essential resource for understanding and embracing Metis sexual and reproductive health.
From navigating menstruation to menopause, to learning how to advocate for yourself in medical environments, this resource weaves traditional knowledge with contemporary health practices to guide you in your sexual and reproductive wellness journey.
We are sincerely grateful to Grandmother Linda Boudreau-Semaganis, who shared her teachings in support of this work.
You can find the sexual and reproductive info sheets here: https://metiswomen.org/resource/sexual-and-reproductive-health-information-sheets/
** LFMO’s MIYÓYÂWIN Initiative on Métis Mental Wellness: What We Heard Report & Literature Review
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You can now view the MIYÓYÂWIN Initiative on Métis Mental Wellness: What We Heard Report and Literature Review on our website.
Both the Literature Review Summary and What We Heard: Community Report Summary from LFMO’s MIYÓYÂWIN Initiative highlight the holistic understanding of Métis me ntal wellness, nurturing the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of self.
Highlighting insights from participants, these reports focus on systemic barriers such as racism in healthcare, a lack of culturally safe spaces, and the absence of Métis and 2SLGBTQQIA+ care providers, and how these issues continue to limit access to meaningful support.
Together, these reports offer a vital snapshot of the current state of Métis mental wellness and the systems meant to support it. They not only reveal the gaps in services, but also offer solutions to better support Métis mental wellness.
LFMO extends deep gratitude to everyone who shared their stories. This work is a reflection of the courage, compassion, and leadership of grassroots Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ kin, without whom this initiative would not be possible.
Métis Mental Wellness – What We Heard Report: https://metiswomen.org/resource/lfmos-miyoyawin-initiative-on-metis-mental-wellness-2024-what-we-heard-community-report-summary/
Métis Mental Wellness – Literature Review: https://metiswomen.org/resource/metis-mental-wellness-rooted-in-culture-strengthened-in-community-summary-of-key-findings-from-the-literature/
Funding for this project was provided through the Mental Wellness Program by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada.
** Announcements
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** LFMO Youth Summit: October 3-5, 2025 | Ottawa, Ontario
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Get ready for LFMO’s Youth Gathering!
This fall, Métis youth from across the Motherland will gather in Ottawa for LFMO’s Youth Summit, a three-day event rooted in kinship, culture, and community. The gathering will offer a culturally safe and welcoming space where Métis youth can come together to share stories, build connections, and explore solutions to the challenges facing their communities.
Shaped by the voices and leadership of LFMO’s National Youth Council, the Summit reflects months of conversation and collaboration. Discussions around identity, cultural revitalization, intergenerational knowledge, and the complexities of reconnecting to culture in today’s world have informed every aspect of the event. Youth have also engaged directly with LFMO’s health team to bring forward perspectives on Métis youth mental wellness, ensuring these themes are woven throughout the program.
Participants can expect a well-rounded and youth-led experience that includes:
* Collaborative workshops and dialogue on issues such as gender-based violence, climate justice, and Métis identity;
* Opportunities to learn from Elders and Knowledge Keepers who will offer teachings and guidance in a good way;
* Cultural activities that foster belonging, pride, and connection;
* A chance to contribute to bold, community-driven solutions that reflect the realities and hopes of Métis youth today.
The LFMO Youth Summit is more than just a gathering. It’s a space to honour Métis youth voices, support one another’s journeys, and build a strong foundation for future advocacy and leadership.
Apply now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPI9G5XbhV0qMlC94E4w9L5X4zXaUnLm2BU3-Ge3wRjKqDEg/viewform
Space is limited. Please apply by Wednesday, August 27 at 4:30 pm ET.
** LFMO at K-Days
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LFMO joined K-Days from July 18th – 28th in Edmonton, Alberta to celebrate Metis culture and heritage and share knowledge with visitors in our Healing Garden. The Healing Garden is an immersive experience showcasing culturally significant plants, and allows visitors to engage in Indigenous knowledge, reflection and community.
K-Days is an annual 10-day celebration that sees thousands of visitors and boasts one of the largest Indigenous pavilion exhibits in Canada. With more than 100 vendors, Indigenous foods, furs and hides, beadwork and traditional arts and crafts, performances, Elder teachings, exhibits, and more, Kiyanaw: The Indigenous Experience at K-Days is an event where everyone is welcome to experience the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures.
The event showcases performances by Indigenous musicians, lively jigging and fiddle music, fashion shows, 2SLGBTQQIA+ Pride celebrations, and cultural exhibits—including a Métis trapper’s tent and a traditional Red River Cart!
LFMO was proud to host the Healing Garden again this year as part of Kiyanaw: The Indigenous Experience at K-Days.
Our Healing Garden featured exhibits of Metis traditional clothing, artwork, and items that hold special significance for Metis women. The Healing Garden is intended to be a safe and inclusive space where visitors can listen, learn, and share with Elders without judgment. Rooted in Metis values of kinship, love, and kindness, the Healing Garden invites people from all walks of life to engage with Metis culture and tradition. We were gifted with the presence of Elders throughout the event, who shared their teachings of medicine, language, Two-Spirit people, and more.
This year, we saw hundreds of visitors to our Healing Garden, including some old friends and many new ones. The Indigenous Pavillion was visited by the mayor of Edmonton, Amarjeet Sohi, pictured here with LFMO Knowledge Keeper Sharon Morin. We are grateful to all those who took the opportunity to foster greater understanding and appreciation for Metis culture, history, and tradition.
Sharing this experience with you is always an honour, and this year was no exception. Although K-Days is over for now, we cherish the memories we have made during this exceptional experience, and we look forward to returning in 2026.
Featured Person
** Chyana Marie Sage
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Chyana Marie Sage, a Cree, Métis, and Salish memoirist, essayist, poet, and screenwriter, is no stranger to telling difficult truths. Her debut memoir, Soft As Bones, released in April 2025, is a raw and emotional account of her childhood and adolescence, a story of trauma, survival, and the strength found in telling one’s own truth.
When Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) sat down with Chyana, she spoke with candor about her writing journey, the healing that made it possible, and the creative vision that now drives her work across literature, fashion, film, and community building.
Chyana describes writing Soft As Bones as “the most cathartic experience of my life.” Before she could put pen to paper, she spent years in healing, attending traditional ceremonies, sweat lodges, and women’s circles, alongside western therapy.
“I always knew that one day I would write this story, because I could feel the importance of it,” she says. “What happened to my family, as much as it is horrifying and dark, is also not unique. There are so many of us Indigenous families that deal with these types of trauma within our households.”
The process took four years, which Chyana says is symbolic. “Four is a sacred number in my culture. The book has four parts. It feels like the story was meant to unfold that way.”
Writing was often solitary, accompanied by the scent of sage and sweetgrass. Inspiration came in waves, followed by long pauses for reflection and healing. “When you delve into memory, it’s like a snowball: one memory brings another. I had to honour my body and spirit through it all.”
Chyana’s earliest writing was born in secrecy. As a child, she carried burdens she couldn’t share aloud. “I started journaling at eight. Writing was my safe space,” she recalls. Poetry soon followed, allowing her to speak truths without naming them outright.
At 12, after testifying in court against her father, the secrecy shattered. “It was liberating. I started therapy. I learned it was okay to tell the truth.” Today, she considers herself not just a storyteller, but a truth-teller, unafraid to share the complicated realities that shape Indigenous lives. “Writing is my way of reclaiming my voice, and giving voice to little Chyana, who wasn’t allowed to speak.”
Chyana’s artistry extends beyond the page. As a public speaker, model, and advocate, she views each role as strands of a larger braid of storytelling and representation. “Everything I do is for community,” she says. “The idea is that every generation heals a little more, creating a safer space for our youth.”
Her speaking engagements often turn into intimate exchanges with readers. “People come up after, share their own stories. That connection, that’s what it’s all about.”
Modeling, too, is a form of storytelling for Chyana, and a way of nurturing her inner child. Growing up, she helped her Auntie Charmaine backstage at fashion shows, learning how Indigenous designers weave culture and tradition into their garments.
Today, she collaborates with designers like Leslie Hampton, Lindsay King, and Jamie Okuma. King’s “Red Collection,” honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, drew Chyana in because of her activism. “These opportunities come from the work I do in the community, telling the hard truths and honouring every shade of who we are.”
This commitment to Indigenous storytelling led Chyana and her sister to found the Soft As Bones Storytelling Foundation. Its flagship event, the Woven Skies Festival, launches in April 2026.
“I realized we have Indigenous festivals for film and fashion, but not for literature,” she says. Woven Skies will go further, blending literature with Indigenous dance, fashion markets, and panels featuring storytellers across disciplines. “It’s about creating all-Indigenous spaces where we can heal through story and art.”
Chyana is now working on a Cree magical realism novel with hints of horror, inspired by traditional trickster stories and cultural teachings. She’s also directing a short film, a wordless, visually rich meditation on intergenerational inheritance, framed through a drum-making ceremony and the flowing presence of water.
“I had to tell my memoir first,” she says. “Now, I feel free to explore all these other stories living inside me.”
With every project, Chyana returns to the same guiding principle: truth-telling as a path to collective healing. Whether on the page, the runway, or the stage, her work carries the same steady heartbeat, a rhythm that honours the past while looking to the future.
For updates on her work, follow Chyana at:
Instagram: @softasbones
Website: www.chyanamariesage.com
YouTube: @softasbones
The summer newsletter is here! Open for news, announcements, project updates, and more!