Our Executive is:
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President: Jim Middleton (604-858-3106)
Our Métis community has instruction for youth in: Jigging, horseback riding, and violin-fiddling. Our summer camps have always been tremendous successes.
Our monthly meetings (at Kekinow 45555 Knight Rd.), alternate between a Regular Meeting held on the third Thursday; and the following month is a Potluck Dinner held on the third Saturday.
To determine which type of meeting is occurring please click on the Event Calendar on the Main Menu (just below: Executive and Photo Gallery).
These past four years,
we have provided three $500 Education-Bursaries for youth each year.
If you would like to join or just visit any of our Community-events you are welcome. |
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Personnally: I was born in Beresford lake Manitoba, to Margurite and James Middleton. The family is originally from Vasser / Winnipeg Manitoba. We moved to Chilliwack in 1942 as my dad joined the army. My Grandmother was adopted by the Payette family in the 1800's. Martial Payette married the daughter of senator Hamel of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
I became interested in researching Métis history and I made an extensive search of my family tree. I discovered that my Grandmother’s madden name was Bovin. Apparently she was the daughter of Benny Bovin who was an Aboriginal chief.
I joined the army after completing my education, and I made it my career. I married my wife, Wendy, and we had a boy and a girl. At present, we have two girl grandchildren.
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Treasurer: Joseph E. Smith (604-796-0636)
My mother and father were born in Batoche, Saskatchewan.
My mother's maiden name was: Boyer. My great, great, grandfather married: Helene McMillan, who was the daughter of James McMillan.
James McMillan, supervised the second building of Fort Langley, which was required as the first building was too close to the river and flooded.
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As for me, I was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. I joined the army and the army became my career. I am married and we have two sons and one grandson.
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Elder-Membership Director: Grace Pearson
I was born into a very large family, with many aunts, uncles, and seemingly uncountable cousins, living all around, on a farm 75 miles north of Edmonton. Aboriginal heretage was seldomly revealed and never openly talked about. Those of us who let "it" slip or were rumoured to have "Aboriginal blood," were discriminated and viewed as being less-capable, than "pure-European stock" in school. |
I loved the "out-doors" and I spent as much time there, as I was allowed. I rode horses bareback, with only a rope "half-hiched" as a bit. When I was ten, I had a trapline on the way to school.
During the war years, my family lived in New Westminster, contending with gas-mask drills and covering the windows at night for the "Blackouts." After-all-this, I have lived in Chilliwack for some thirty years. Proud to be Métis.
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Secretary: Darlene Ell (604-701-1007)
I was born in Barrie, Ontario, the twin sister city of Chilliwack, BC. I have lived in Chilliwack for the last 35 years and I am the only daughter to James and Wendy Middleton.
I became interested in Métis history when my father became involved with the Chilliwack Métis Association.
He encouraged me to get to know more of our Aboriginal
heritage to pass on to my two daughters.
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My father researched our family history and found out they are originally from Vasser/Winnipeg, Manitoba.
My great-Grandmother was adopted by the Payette family in the 1800's. I work in the accounting field and enjoy all outdoor activities especially dragonboating.
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Director: Angela McCulloch (604-824-0868)
I was born and raised in Vancouver, the eldest daughter of Gordon and Marietta. They divorced when I was five years old, and a new Dad came into my life when I was six. Sadly, I lost contact with my birth father and his family. I was raised in a lively Greek and Irish family.
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For Christmas 2009, my husband gave me a genealogy program, and what a gift that has turned out to be for me! I started researching and in February 2010, to my great delight, I learned of my paternal Grandmother's Métis heritage. I had found a missing part of myself that I had always felt was there.
As I learn more about my Métis heritage, it is awakening a part of me that was quiet for many years. Although I was not raised Métis, I have it in my heart, and it is a very strong connection, or old memory. Now I know why I love some of the things I do that were not part of my upbringing. This is a wonderful journey for me and I hope my enthusiasm will help me fulfill my position as a Director in the Chilliwack Métis Association.
My goal is to work with the children, they are our leaders of tomorrow.
I am married with two grown sons, five grandchildren, and a female dog.
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Webmaster: Bryan Stephenson
I have been a proud member of the Chilliwack Métis Association for over four years.
My wife and children are Nlaka'pamux (Lytton FN), and of course, I follow many of these traditions. Presently, I am teaching night-school at Coqualeetza (Toltilthet), and Cheam FN. I have worked on, or with, many BC Reserves, throughout some thirty years, as a high-school teacher, social worker, and counsellor.
I have Graphic-Illustration and static Webmaster experience,
but this is my first dynamic Website.
Please email me
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
regarding anything (good, bad, or ugly) about this Website.
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Director: Lousia Monkman
Appointed: July 5, 2011
I was born of RRS Metis descendents on father's side and Dutch-Mennonite on mother's side.
We lived in Northern Alberta on grandfather Monkman's homestead on the edge of Cutbank Lake for the first seven or eight years of my life before dad passed away and we moved into town.
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While on the farm I remember trying to make pets out of all the animals, except for a roan bull. Once while I was trying to go down to the lake, he came out of the willows, where he liked to hide at times, and came after me. To this day I don't know whether I went over, under or through the barbed wire fence. For all his sneakiness he ended up being dinner on the table, and I didn't really mind eating him. That was too close a call.
Another thing I used to do was sit on all the horses' backs while they were in the barn in their stalls, whether riding horses or work horses. Of courSe it took a little longer to get the work horses more used to me, but I would spend time brushing and currying them as far as I could reach. Then, when I figured they knew me and were used to my presence, I would ride them around in the large space between the east and west walls, and with the front and back doors closed, so I couldn't be seen by my parents. I figured I was pretty clever doing this, but I did get caught. I guess there was a reason for the doors to be open in the spring and summer time with work to be done. So my life as a horse breaker was short lived.
There was always some kind of shenanigans going on between my brothers and myself, whether it was trying to ride the young red bull we raised, riding pigs, egg fights, or something else for our entertainment as kids after our chores.
As children we were told not to say we were Métis. I think this was because they were worried about some fall-out from the revolution (dad's side of the family), and of what mother experienced as a very young child during the Bolshevik war before her family emigrated to Canada. Consequently it was a long time before I admitted to others that I am Métis, but with that vocal admission, it broke the chains holding that weight, and I feel I can stand freer, taller and prouder of who I am today. I look forward to learning more of my heritage and culture as one proud Métis.
All my Relations,
Louisa Monkman
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