President's Message
With Spring upon us and as new things begin to take root and grow, we too at LFMO are growing just in time for all of the excitement that the warmer months will bring. LFMO staff have travelled all over these past few weeks – from Rome, Italy to Geneva, Switzerland to across the country, right here at home. We continue to meet with Métis women and gender diverse folks from across the Motherland and we are excitedly embracing more and more opportunities to meet with Indigenous women from around the world, to hear their perspectives and to work on our shared goals and interests together.
With meetings now taking place more comfortably in a face-to-face fashion, this spring and summer look to be some of the busiest seasons ever for LFMO. Thankfully, we also welcomed new staff to the team over the past couple of months, and we look forward to the amazing work to come from them.
We wish you all the best this Spring and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming engagements.
Apisisinaw Okisikaw! Happy Easter!
Melanie Omeniho
President
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak
LFMO’s Environment Work
Erin Myers of the Métis National Council and Marina Best of Parks Canada co-chaired Pishkaapahtamihk Miyoo Wiichaytoowin – Nurturing the Relationship to foster the relationship between the Métis Nation and Parks Canada and create a space for collaboration on conservation opportunities. Youth Panelist and young Métis woman Kimberly Lebel, who hopes to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine with a focus in wildlife, and is currently attending the University of Saskatchewan, spoke to her connection with the land and hopes for the future of Métis people’s participation in its conservation.
Following LFMO’s participation in the Pishkaapahtamihk Miyoo Wiichaytoowin – Nurturing the Relationship Parks Canada gathering, and our own engagement sessions, we will be hosting an engagement session that explores the potential for Métis Women and Girls to participate in future Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) – more details to come.
LFMO was also invited to participate as part of the Canadian Delegation for the 55th Session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which focused on climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. The virtual meetings took place over the course of two weeks at the international level, where we were able to contribute to Canada’s interventions in partnership with the Métis National Council and representatives from various Indigenous organizations across the motherland to ensure their voices were heard.
2022 Convention of Biological Diversity
In March, LFMO was invited to participate as part of the Canadian Delegation for the 2022 Convention of Biological Diversity in Geneva, Switzerland, in preparation for final negotiations at the UN Conference of Parties 15, later this year. LFMO had the opportunity to listen and learn about the processes behind COP negotiations through the members of the Canadian Delegation. Connections with Indigenous Organizations from around the world were made through the Indigneous Peoples and Local Communities caucus, chaired by the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity.
The priorities of this group for the CBD framework are echoed in LFMO and MNC’s work, particularly when considering Canada’s conservation and protected area targets ensuring free, prior and informed consent and equitable governance with Indigenous People across the Motherland. LFMO will continue to participate at the international level to ensure the voice of Métis women, girls and youth are being heard in these negotiations, and to continue to support the relationship between Canada and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities caucus.
Indigenous Women and Girls in Climate Action
As part of the United Nations’ 66th NGO Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), LFMO hosted its first-ever parallel event on climate change impacts on Indigenous women and climate action on March 18, 2022.
To over 80 participants tuning in from around the world, keynote speaker Annette Hobart – certified trapper, leading figure in the Alberta Energy Sector and proud Métis woman – spoke about the interwoven impacts of climate change on Indigenous women as well as the energy sector and how traditional practices could help propel climate action forward.
Project Updates
Métis Women’s Voices in Health Legislation
In February, LFMO hosted engagement sessions to ensure Métis women’s voices are heard and considered in the development and implementation of health legislation. Topics ranged from Métis values and principles, anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare, gaps and barriers to accessing health care and achieving wellness, funding for health care and supports, regional and national Métis specific recommendations for change, as well as visions for the future of Métis specific inclusions in Indigenous health legislation.
So far, LFMO has hosted a national conversation as well as BC-specific, Alberta-specific, Saskatchewan-specific, and Ontario-specific engagements throughout the month of March.
Reach for the Sky
Are you a young Métis woman between 18-30 years old? Do you know someone who is? Are you or they able to commit to 18 weeks for 30 hours/week to complete this innovative and exciting new program starting at the end of May?
If you said yes, then you need to check out Reach for the Sky Métis Women’s Leadership Program! Packed full of cultural training, university courses teaching on Métis women’s issues and Leadership, and a specialized job shadow mentorship placement, this program is really one of a kind.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in (or your daughters, nieces, granddaughters would be interested in), please email reach@metiswomen.org or apply via the button below.
*There will be future intakes if this one does not work for you, so please apply and we will save your application for a future intake. Make sure to specify on the application.*
Grandmothers Remembering Toolkit
Created with great love by our Métis Grandmothers Wisdom Circle, LFMO launched our Remembering Toolkit to honour survivors, families and those who never came home.
The toolkit contains a guide with teachings and guidance to host a blanket ceremony, the Kiyas Kiskisowin Oma ‘Comfort Kit’ containing medicines, a set of healing cards authored by the grandmothers, and a special Grandmother’s sash honouring our survivors, families and communities impacted by trauma.