Welcome to the MCHRC website [proxy]

Interview with Kevin Chief

Buffalo Trails & Tales - Summer 2011 Issue

What was it that initially attracted you to this industry?

I think it’s the community development piece. In politics, it allows people with different skill sets and different sectors to bring that to the job so you see the business sector come in, you see people with social work background and I think for me, the interest for me has been the idea that I could use my skills around community development. I think the other thing about politics is that I’ve never believed its something that you should ever decide to do yourself.

MCHRC Profile

Metis Culture and Heritage Resource Centre Inc. Profile

Revised February 2005

The Metis Culture and Heritage Resource Centre Inc. (MRC under went a name change to better reflect our mission in September 2003) is a Metis managed, non-profit, membership based charitable organization located in the City of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba Canada. The Centre was founded in 1995 and has continually worked diligently to secure its future direction as outlined in our mission statement (revised September 2001):

To honor the richness of Metis culture and history through preservation, restoration, education and sharing.

Louis "David" Riel

"Do you know these people of mine are just as were the children of Israel, a persecuted race deprived of their heritage. But I will wrest justice for them from the tyrant. I will be unto them a second David." Louis Riel

Born on Seine River (a tributary of the Canadian Red River) Louis "David" Riel (history-maker and eloquent leader of the Metis people) fought with words, prayers and total conviction in the cause of the "Half-Breed" people and for the rights of all Western Canadians.

The eldest of eleven children, Riel was born on October 22, 1844 in a log cabin by a gristmill his father, Louis Riel Sr., had built. Riel Sr. believed in free trade and justice, passing these attributes down to his son. In 1839, Riel Sr. helped to break the Hudson's Bay trade monopoly through an organized resistance. The Metis were then free to trade with their southern neighbours.

As a student in the small river community of St. Boniface, Manitoba; Riel attracted the attention of Bishop Alexander Tache. The Bishop was delighted with Riel; and at the age of fourteen he was sent off to Montreal to study in a seminary in preparation for the priesthood. Both Riel's mother (Marie Ann) and his father were extremely proud of him.

Genealogy Services

Claiming Ourselves Genealogy Project

A Metis Resource Centre Inc. project, based in the Metis Homeland of Manitoba
In Canada there is growing interest in one's cultural roots and heritage. People of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds are seeking ways and means to identify and connect with their ancestors. In recent years, many Metis people of Manitoba and Western Canada have also been searching for ways and means to establish their Metis ancestry. In response to these concerns, the Metis Culture & Heritage Resource Centre of Winnipeg initiated a research project that will have practical implications for all Metis people.

Programs

ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS

Workshops at the Centre: Metis Genealogy, Michif Language, jigging, beading, sash weaving, wall pockets, dream catchers, moccasins and Metis history. Old-time Metis fiddle workshops with Tommy Knott's guidance and expertise as well as Michif Language sessions with Rita Flamand.

"Buffalo Trails and Tales" Newsletter: is published quarterly to subscribers. 800 copies are left at key locations throughout Winnipeg. The newsletter goes out throughout Manitoba, the rest of Canada / U.S.A./England/Japan/New Zealand. The focus is on upcoming events, cultural and historical interests including Metis biographies, and community happenings and news from M.R.C.