Métis Speaker Series

On this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we speak to Billie-Jo Grant, an award-winning educator with over 20 years of classroom experience. Billie-Jo is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta. As an adult, Billie-Jo found strength and pride in being Métis once she surrounded herself with others who were excited about representing their heritage. Billie-Jo loves sharing and teaching others about authentic resources. She encourages Métis people to be proud of who they are and to always be curious. This episode follows Billie-Jo’s journey to embracing her Métis heritage and how being Métis has impacted her teaching over the years.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we speak with Casandra Woolever, a Métis fashion designer and owner of Métis Branded. Casandra is truly a creator. The episode follows her passion for the historic Métis Capote, which she makes from recycled and repurposed old wool blankets. We touch on how her business came to be, her love for designing and sewing with a focus on repurposing, her connection to her creations and the meaningful stories behind the blankets she uses.

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Check out Casandra's work here:

Website - https://metisbranded.ca/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/metisbranded/?hl=en

On this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we are joined by Julie Nolin, a producer and reporter for Global BC who is proudly Métis and Cree. Julie spent nearly a decade with CTV News as a multi-skilled journalist. In addition to now working with Global BC, Julie has taught journalism, media, and television at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Learn about Julie’s connection to being Métis, thoughts on harnessing Indigenous storytelling, and her journey in educating others on how to represent Indigenous cultures in storytelling and media.

Follow Julie Nolin:

Website - Julienolin.ca

Twitter - https://twitter.com/JulieNolinTV

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we are joined by Leah Dorion, an interdisciplinary Métis visual artist from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She is a teacher, painter, filmmaker, and published writer with a BED, BA, and MA. Leah is a self-taught visual artist and credits her creative family for encouraging her to take up traditional Métis art. Explore what it means to be Métis to Leah, her thoughts on traditional Métis clothing, her art, what it means to support Métis art, and her upcoming project with Métis Nation BC.

Check Out Leah's work here:

www.leahdorion.ca

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To enter the draw to win artwork by today's featured guest, share Métis Nation British Columbia’s post promoting this episode on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, and tag 3 friends in the comments.

Deadline to enter is 1 week from the release date of the episode, and the draw and winner will be announced 2 weeks after the release date of the episode. Good luck!

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we speak with Christi Belcourt. Christi is a Métis visual artist and author living and working in Canada. The episode follows the discussion of her artwork and its roots in Métis quillwork, beadwork, and embroidery. Christi’s art has opened many doors, from community to language to discovering new artists who combine traditional and modern techniques. Learn what it means to Christi to celebrate Métis visual art, find her voice through her artwork, and share her creations with others.

Check out Christi's work here:

http://christibelcourt.com/

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To enter the draw to win artwork by today's featured guest, share Métis Nation British Columbia’s post promoting this episode on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, and tag 3 friends in the comments.

Deadline to enter is 1 week from the release date of the episode, and the draw and winner will be announced 2 weeks after the release date of the episode. Good luck!

Métis Speaker Series Season 4 is set to launch on June 12!

Follow the show to catch every episode as it is released.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we speak to Arlette Alcock, a Métis Folk Musician, Songwriter and Social Activist. As a member of the Cree Saulteaux Métis Nation, Arlette is a descendant of the Little Bear Cree First Nations and the Pine Creek Saulteaux. In the episode, she shares her experiences being raised by her mother, a residential school survivor, and the intergenerational trauma passed down through her family. Arlette speaks to losing her son to addiction and the way she uses music to share her Métis heritage.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we speak to Pixie Wells, the acting President of the Fraser Valley Métis Association as well as the 2SLGBTGGIA+peoples rep and health/housing director. Pixie uses her position to strengthen the Women and 2SLGBTQQIA+peoples voice of the Métis Nation. In the episode, she shares the importance of land and language acknowledgements, including the ways chartered communities can better connect with those from other communities and cultures.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we speak to Joy Bremner, leader of the Mid Island Métis Nation on Vancouver Island. Joy discusses the rewards and challenges of being a supporting pillar within a chartered community. She shares the importance of creating a cultural Métis community, including the work that it takes to build one. Joy believes that small healing steps can lead to bigger transformations.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we speak to June Graham about her family history within the residential school system and the repercussions it has had. June believes there has been a lack of Métis-specific perspective and discussion about the residential school experience story, including a lack of compensation and reconciliation. She discusses her experiences growing up in a family of residential school survivors, including the cycle of violence and alcoholism that has become prevalent through ongoing generations.