Metis Community Centre shares culture with Kamloops youth

“We are re-introducing, revitalizing the Michif language, which is a mix of Cree and French, with some Ojibwe and other English words,” explained Deborah Draney on the council of Metis Elders. “To bring that language back so our children here can have that sense of connection and identity to their cultural roots ”

The children are exposed to the language through songs and nursery rhymes that incorporate the Michif language.

Mackenzie Papp is the early years manager at the Lii Michif Otipemisiwak and specializes in early childhood development.

“Just changing simple things like, ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star’ to ‘Ann noutwell,’ it’s just bringing back that language for them to hear it and recognize,” she said.

The Otipemisiwak community in Kamloops believes preserving the Michif language starts with early education.

“Our director here, Colleen Lucier has been one of the driving forces of bringing Michif to Kamloops, [and] to this organization,” continued Draney. “It’s actually not in every other aspect of other Metis organizations as fully embraced as here.”

The centre is full of objects of cultural significance to the metis people, replica tents, wagons and art that attendees can see firsthand to learn more about the Metis people.

Jodie Lebourdais is one of the mothers who brought their children to the event.

“Lots of really unique things going on, like the drumming and the singing,” she said. “Looks like there’s a lot of opportunity for the kids to play, have some hands-on play and get their bodies moving as well — and interact with a lot of children.”

The centre is aiming to host more drop-in sessions, keeping the Kamloops Metis culture alive and thriving into the future.

by Noah Rishaug

Metis Community Centre shares culture with Kamloops youth

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