Latest news with #Michif
Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Church's Rooster Town tour seeks to make amends
In 1930, when Harrow United Church was built at the corner of Mulvey Ave. and Harrow St., on what was then the southwest fringe of the city of Winnipeg, its neighbours included people who lived in Rooster Town. That community, made up of mostly Métis residents, was founded in 1901 and lasted until the late 1950s when residents were pressured to leave so the growing city could sell lots for new houses. Today, the church is honouring Rooster Town and recalling the injustice of the past through a self-guided walking tour of the former community. JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS Rooster Town tour committee members Susan Ketchen (from left), Virginia Platt, Rae Leaden, Teresa Moysey, Jacquie Corrigan and Marc Whitehead at Harrow United Church. The 5-km tour, which takes about 75 minutes, is happening from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church at 955 Mulvey Ave. The event will also feature a celebration of Métis and Indigenous heritage in the neighbourhood. The church's interest in Rooster Town goes back to the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, said Harrow's former minister, Teresa Moysey. 'It became part of our fabric here,' she said of how the church sought to incorporate the findings of the commission into its congregational life. The discovery of potential unmarked graves of children at former residential schools in Canada prompted the congregation to want to do more, as did the publication of the book Rooster Town: The History of an Urban Métis Community, 1901–1961 by Evelyn Peters. Recognizing the church's historical connection, the congregation wanted to memorialize Rooster Town, known to its residents as Pakan, the Michif word for the hazelnut bushes in the area. They also wanted to counter the negative stereotypes about Rooster Town that might still linger from newspaper reports at that time that characterized residents as poor, filthy and disease-ridden people. 'It was a healthy community,' Virginia Platt said of Rooster Town, which once had about 250 residents in 59 residences. Men in Rooster Town mostly worked as labourers, and the women as domestics, she said, adding they paid taxes even though they didn't have access to services such as water, sewer and electricity. 'They were hardworking, doing the best they could to look out for their families,' Platt said. 'They were very resilient.' The tour is an effort to make amends, Platt said, adding she would like to see the City of Winnipeg formally apologize for how the residents of Rooster Town were maligned and mistreated. During the tour, participants can see some original Rooster Town houses that still exist, along with sites of historical significance to the community, such as Rockwood school and the locations of a former greenhouse, stable and dairy where Rooster Town residents worked. 'We hope it will increase interest among Winnipeggers about the Indigenous and Métis people who once lived in this area,' Moysey said. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Jackie Corrigan, who wrote the script for the walking tour, said she hopes it will 'expose government ignorance and neglect and show the resilience of Rooster Town.' For Harrow church minister Marc Whitehead, the tour can be a 'reminder of what used to be here … we can be witnesses to an effort to remove that history.' In addition to the tour, visitors can learn about the medicinal plants in the church's healing garden, and view a reconciliation mural painted on the front of the church by Indigenous artist Jeannie White Bird and a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. More information, and a tour map, click here. faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada Post celebrates Indigenous leaders with new stamp set
Philatelists and anyone who sends or receives letters can celebrate National Indigenous History Month with a new series of commemorative stamps from Canada Post. Julia Haogak Ogina, Sophie McDougall and Bruce Starlight will be featured in the fourth series of postage stamps honouring Indigenous leaders across Canada. Launched in 2022, the stamp series highlights Indigenous people who have made a significant impact on their community and country, according to a Canada Post news release . The stamps will be released June 20, ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. They will be available at and select postal outlets across Canada. Canada Post has yet to release the designs of the new stamps. Last year, a similar stamp series honoured Josephine Mandami, Elisapie Isaac and Christi Belcourt. Julia Haogak Ogina is known for her efforts to protect and promote Inuit culture. A translator and research assistant, Ogina has contributed to the creation of a regional language framework and programs promoting oral learning and knowledge transfer. She was recognized for her work with an Outstanding Achievement in Language Revitalization award from the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit in 2017, and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2020. Sophie McDougall , who died in 2023, was a Michif Language Keeper who shared her knowledge of her Métis culture and language with generations of students and community members. Born in 1928 in St. Louis, Sask., McDougall was a descendant of the area's original settlers. As a Métis woman, she overcame discrimination in teachers' college to become an educator and translated books and other materials into Michif, the traditional language of the Métis. In her late 80s, she appeared in the YouTube series 'Métis Women Stories' and also contributed to the creation of the Learn Michif French app. In 2023, she received the Order of Gabriel Dumont Gold Medal in recognition of her lifetime of service to the Métis of Canada. Bruce Starlight , an elder and knowledge keeper, has spent more than five decades working to preserve his language and culture. Born on the Tsúut'ínà Nation near Calgary, he served as a language commissioner for his community and was among the founders of the Tsúut'ínà Gunáhà Násʔághà, an institute dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of his mother tongue. As a teacher and speaker, Starlight has developed materials for Tsúut'ínà instruction, including dictionaries and recordings. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Canada Post to celebrate Indigenous leaders with fourth stamp set Français
Julia Haogak Ogina, Sophie McDougall and Bruce Starlight devoted their lives to revitalizing Inuit, Métis and First Nations culture and languages OTTAWA, ON, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Post will soon issue its fourth set of stamps in a multi-year series honouring the lives and legacies of Indigenous leaders across Canada. Julia Haogak Ogina, Sophie McDougall and Bruce Starlight will each be featured on a stamp for their dedication to preserving the culture and languages of their Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities. Launched in 2022, the stamp series highlights the achievements of Indigenous leaders who have made a significant impact on their community and country. All three stamps will be released a day ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21. Julia Haogak Ogina Julia Haogak Ogina (b. 1962) is known for her tireless efforts to protect and promote Inuit culture and traditions. She worked as a translator and research assistant on the book, The Northern Copper Inuit: A History (1996) with anthropologist Richard G. Condon, which documented the rapid pace of socio-economic change in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories (her birthplace). An accomplished drum dance teacher and leader, in 2017 Ogina helped publish Huqqullaarutit Unipkaangit (Stories Told through Drum Dance Songs). In nearly two decades with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, she has contributed to the creation of a regional language framework and programs promoting oral learning and knowledge transfer. Ogina was recognized for her work with an Outstanding Achievement in Language Revitalization award from the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit in 2017, and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2020. Sophie McDougall Sophie McDougall (1928-2023) was a passionate Michif Language Keeper who shared extensive knowledge of her Métis culture and language with generations of students and community members over her long life. Born in St. Louis, Saskatchewan, McDougall was a descendant of the area's original settlers. As a Métis woman, she experienced discrimination in teachers' college but faced it with courage and determination. She spent many years as a devoted schoolteacher. An Elder with the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association in Saskatchewan for 20 years, McDougall translated books and other materials into Michif, the traditional language of the Métis. In her late 80s she appeared in the YouTube series, Métis Women Stories and later contributed to the creation of the Learn Michif French app. In 2023, she received the Order of Gabriel Dumont Gold Medal in recognition of her lifetime of service to the Métis of Canada. Bruce Starlight Bruce Starlight (b. 1947) is an Elder and Knowledge Keeper who has spent more than five decades working to save his language and culture from extinction. Born on the Tsúut'ínà Nation near Calgary, Alberta, he served as a language commissioner for his community and was among the founders of the Tsúut'ínà Gunáhà Násʔághà, an institute dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of his mother tongue. A skilled teacher and speaker, Starlight has developed extensive materials for Tsúut'ínà instruction, including dictionaries and recordings. He recently collaborated on a collection of traditional narratives and historical accounts in Tsúut'ínà and a Tsúut'ínà-to-English glossary. Still active as a cultural mentor, adviser and ambassador to this day, Starlight received an honorary doctorate from Mount Royal University in 2023. The new stamps and collectibles will be available at and select postal outlets across Canada starting June 20.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
History comes alive in St. Boniface
Storyteller Rob Malo (TiBert) shares how the Tourisme Riel app uncovers hidden stories with AR tech—in English, French, and Michif.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Changing school's name carries risk of erasing colonist's racist history, MMF warns trustees
The Manitoba Métis Federation made a case Monday against trustees renaming a city school honouring a military leader who has gained infamy in recent years. Wolseley School is the latest subject of debate over educational sites named after historical figures whose actions do not align with 21st-century values. Col. Garnet Wolseley (1833-1913) played a key role in the colonial crusade against Louis Riel and the Métis people who lived under his provisional government in the Red River Settlement. '(He did) horrible things to our people, to our nation — murders, rapes, the reign of terror, burning homes down to the ground, chasing us away…. We need to make sure that the atrocities of people like Wolseley are never forgotten,' the MMF's Will Goodon told a school board meeting. The Winnipeg School Division has — at the request of the nursery-to-Grade 6 building's parent council — spent more than a year collecting community feedback on the decorated commander's legacy. Senior administration announced recently that it was committed to change and began accepting new name suggestions. Goodon, speaking on behalf of the national government of the Red River Métis, made a presentation to the superintendent's team and board of trustees Monday challenging their decision. The MMF housing minister was joined by the MMF education minister Joan Ledoux and a handful of other Métis supporters. Goodon warned about racism in the form of denialism related to Canada's historic treatment of Indigenous people. 'We need to fight hate with education,' he said. Goodon noted MMF president David Chartrand's concerns that renaming landmarks — streets, statues or otherwise — can erase history. If the school division cannot preserve Wolseley's history via the school name, there needs to be another way to do so, he added. The school's online biography currently states that Wolseley led troops who were tasked with an 1870 expedition 'to quell the Riel insurrection; it does not mention the accompanying bloodshed and the lasting impact on Métis people. Goodon suggested one option could be adopting a phrase in Michif — the Métis language, a blend of Cree and French — as the school name. Board chair Kathy Heppner thanked Goodon for his input. WSD initially asked community members to submit ideas that represented the neighbourhood and 'connect to learning for students' online before April 8. Suggestions for the facility at 511 Clifton St. 'must avoid the names of people,' states a March 28 social media post about the initiative. Maggie Macintosh Education reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press . Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press 's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press 's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
