MNO Grand River Métis Council teach beading to Wellington Catholic School Board teachers
On January 11, 2018, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Grand River Métis Council provided a workshop at a Wellington Catholic School Board professional development day in Guelph. Valerie Marks with the Board’s Equity and Inclusion with an Aboriginal Focus office arranged for MNO GRMC President Jennifer Parkinson and Treasurer Leslie-Anne Muma to teach 21 teachers. First thing in the morning, President Parkinson made a Métis 101 presentation and answered many great questions about Louis Riel and Métis History. The teachers were so interested that the session went overtime. After the morning break, President Parkinson and Treasurer Muma taught Métis beading. Everyone in attendance received a beading kit to take home with them. Once the teachers had learned how to bead they didn’t want to stop. After lunch, Valerie Marks who was also enjoying the beading let the beading continue stating: “I have never seen teachers so engaged in an activity before.” As can be seen in the picture above the teachers all did an excellent job. Everyone had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun.