ORIGINAL ART INVITATION:
The Spirit Horse Returns!
To Celebrate, Let's Draw!!
Canada's only Indigenous horse breed, the Ojibwe Spirit Horses, also known as Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies, are both precious and endangered.
To celebrate the return of the Spirit Horses, the Métis Women's Circle is requesting Original Art Submissions.
All Indigenous youth up to 18 years old are encouraged to capture the spirit of the little horses in your original art.
The selected image will be used on promotional materials to fundraise in support of the horses.
The artist of the chosen image will receive a $500 honorarium in recognition.
Please review the conditions closely before submitting artwork. MORE
Over the past 25 years, the Métis Women's Circle has provided community engagement events for Indigenous women and their families.
Elder Visit to Spirit Horses
Manitoulin
Dr. Carole Leclair and members of our Women's Circle visited the newly arrived Spirit Horses at Manitoulin.
Our beading instructor, Beverly McEwen, created a beautiful medallion in honour of this occasion, which was presented to Reflections Nanaandwejgeijig Bezhigoogizhiik...
MORE
The Flower Beadwork People
Traditional Métis Beading Workshops
As part of our Wahkohtowin Series, the Métis Women's Circle hosted a series of 4 Traditional Métis Beading Workshops on
July 2, 16, 23 and 30 at Ryerson United Church in Ancaster... MORE
Welcome to the Métis Women's Circle BLOG entitled TradeBeads. Articles and opinions are written by members of the Circle and are on a variety of topics...
'Trees are Good Medicine'March 27, 2024
"In the Spring of 2022 a violent weather event called a derecho swept through Southern Ontario, the Ottawa Valley, and Western Quebec. The force of the winds was something I'd never before witnessed. This fifteen-minute derecho left a swath of destruction; smashed roofs, downed power lines, and up-rooted and snapped trees. After the event (and the ensuing power outage) we surveyed our property for damage and began the clean-up..." MORE
Marriage Officiant
Dr. Carol Leclair (PhD York University Faculty of Environmental Studies and Métis Women's Circle) is certified by the Province of Ontario as an Indigenous Wedding Officiant. Weddings conducted in Métis traditional regalia or secular dress, LGBTQ+ positive. For more information contact the Métis Women's Circle.
From publications to clothing to artwork... the members of the Métis Woman's Circle have created a variety of items which are available for purchase through this website. For more information, click on the links below, visit our Métis Market or email to info@metiswomenscircle.ca
'Walking Words'
T-Shirts
As part of our Walking Words Language Project, the Métis Women's Circle designed and produced eight T-shirts... MORE
'Awn Rond'
Métis Elders' Stories - 2021 Book
"This little collection got its start when our elders began to imagine, to dream and believe that our informal human experiences would interest others. We put a small team together and set out to gather some life stories of Métis elders in Ontario. Our stories are precious to our communities; our elders know this, and they remind us that we are losing unique and irreplaceable knowledge as each elder goes on ahead to the spirit world..." MORE
Winged Ones
The Crane, or earlier name the Heron, is called baswenaazhi, echo-maker. Because of the Crane's loud call, they are said to be responsible for inter-nation communication.
Heron is the outside chief, because Heron stands above the water, looking out on the world. Loon, also a chief, is called the inside chief, because Loon looks below the water regarding the underwater world. Together both these chiefs settle disputes and give guidance to the community at home.
Once, an Elder travelling to ceremony told me of seeing two herons standing on tree branches beside a river. He understood that they were advising him that there would be disputes at the ceremony and that he would be called on to use the teachings of the sacred way in order to help resolve misunderstandings.
Dr. Carole Leclair
lumaRae Photography
lumaRae Photography
Winged Ones
The Crane, or earlier name the Heron, is called baswenaazhi, echo-maker. Because of the Crane's loud call, they are said to be responsible for inter-nation communication.
Heron is the outside chief, because Heron stands above the water, looking out on the world. Loon, also a chief, is called the inside chief, because Loon looks below the water regarding the underwater world. Together both these chiefs settle disputes and give guidance to the community at home.
Once, an Elder travelling to ceremony told me of seeing two herons standing on tree branches beside a river. He understood that they were advising him that there would be disputes at the ceremony and that he would be called on to use the teachings of the sacred way in order to help resolve misunderstandings.
Dr. Carole Leclair
"We had a few one-on-one sessions in our lifetime as leaders," said Carl Rabbit. During one of these sessions, 'Chief Cattleman said: If we never quit, things will be good for us. Everything will go well. Let us never quit.'"... Cree Leaders Discuss the Powerful Role of Men in Oskâpêwis Cree Society | The Canadian Press
"We had a good life..." Bison in Canada Discover Ancient Petroglyphs, Fulfilling an Indigenous Prophecy | Smithsonian Magazine
"Reconnecting to the potato brings back our stories, our songs, our connection to the landscape..." The Ancient Potato of the Future
Our website content has been assembled over 25 years of community work. Any reporting older than ten years is archival and we understand
that terminology and content may not agree with word choices currently used.