Sharing the Torch

It is no longer a debate that Indigenous Peoples and their cultures endured great harm under colonialist policies for centuries. Today, many remain disconnected from their language, culture, and identity because of the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma, residential schools, and the sixties scoop.

However, Métis are often overlooked in these conversations, though they too are victims of the systemic efforts to erase Indigenous Peoples from Canada. Many grow up not knowing they are Métis, what being Métis means, or forced to hide their identity out of a misconstrued sense of safety. This has led to the loss of traditional heritage, Michif language and Métis culture. 

To help Métis reclaim self-identity, the Michif Language Revitalization Circle Society (MLRC) is launching the Sharing the Torch project. This year-long initiative will develop new Michif language and cultural curriculum, offered freely through lessons, prayers, games, activities, practice sheets, flash cards, conversation cards, and instructional videos for the SpeakMichif.ca website. MLRC will also host information booths at major Indigenous community events to promote its language revitalization programs and connect more Métis people with opportunities to learn. Now is the time to ensure that Métis people of all generations have the programs needed to reconnect with their identity, rebuild community, and restore the chain of language and cultural knowledge from generation to generation.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is contributing funding to expand MLRC’s language and cultural resources and strengthen community outreach. The IRF’s support will go toward the creation of these resources, including the translation of prayers and territorial acknowledgements into Michif, to ensure more Métis peoples can speak their language with pride, participate in cultural practices, and build the foundation for a strong Métis identity.

Diocese of Victoria