Apparently there is a big storm coming in to southwest Manitoba this weekend. Turtle Mountain Metis Local has decided to postpone their fish derby at Lake Metigoshe. With that, the Polar Plunge is also postponed. Darn it all, I wanted to jump in cold lake water 🥶

At the @nhljets game tonight supporting @wasacnews. Lots of great Indigenous entertainment, community & leadership here. Thanks @kevinchief for all you do!

Almost forgot. Check out the thank you gift from École St. Eustache! The little painted hunter has some ducks 🦆

The recognition of Premier Louis Riel Jr this past Monday (Louis Riel Day) was a day that you just knew is going to be in the history books. Here’s a few more pics from the day.

This past Friday I spent the entire morning at École St. Eustache reading with several classes from Grade 1 to 6. I had a super fun time & was able to read some very cool & educational books. I know I learned some new things.(No pics with children per privacy rules)

We lost one of the biggest smiles in the Turtle Mountain today. Donald Racine always treated me in the best way. Poacher filled every room he walked into and his door was always open. His sudden departure will leave a big hole in our Métis community. Take care, my cuzzin.

I am so proud to support this band - the Red River Ramblers - as they have been NOMINATED FOR A JUNO AWARD!!!! On March 22 in Halifax, they will be in attendance as nominees for Traditional Indigenous artist or group of the year. 1/2

Just a great day to be in St. Eustache today. This proud Métis community always does things right and today’s Louis Riel celebration was fantastic. Jam packed hall, pancake breakfast, bannock on a stick, and chili and stew. 1/2

I’ve heard that Turtle Mountain Métis Local put on a great Louis Riel Day event at their facilities by Dromore Lake. Great job, everyone! So sorry I wasn’t able to attend as I was on the other side of the region in St. Eustache.

Warm welcome from my friend, VP Judy Mayer, for the opening ceremonies for the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival in The Pas today.

A great conversation at Brandon University at lunch today on Indigenous Identity Theft from a Métis Perspective. Thanks Nicole for organizing and the invite. The Boulettes were fantastic and the questions were right on point. And the beaded slingshot pendant? OMG I love it, thank you!

It was a pleasure to speak at the Assiniboine Community College kick off for Infinity week this morning. Our topic is very timely as we chatted about Indigenous identity theft from a Métis perspective. Thanks for those who came out and participated.

Up & at’em early to drive to Gimli for the MMF Interlake regional meeting today, getting to hang out with some cool folks & chair this meeting on behalf of the regional executive. 1/2

President Joe Biden was in a meeting today when I stopped by the White House. And you know me, I had to take a couple of pics, sign an executive order, call a couple foreign leaders and lead a press conference. All in all, a pretty good day.

3 US Senators speaking at the NAIHC conference today including Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Vice Chair of the Senate committee on Indian Affairs. Housing is an issue everywhere - affordability, needed repairs, Elder & family housing, safety. We are all facing similar challenges.

The Mmf Portage Local Louis Riel Day is always packed with fun and talent. Check this out: Johnny Dietrich, Darren Lavallee, Eric Nash, Edgar Desjarlais & the Métis Prairie Steppers! And so much more! Monday February 19 from Noon to 3:30.

Got my selfie with United States Treasurer Lynn Malerba during a break this morning. We talked housing & hockey - her daughter married a Canadian from SK & her granddaughter is an Oilers fan. Now listening to Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto D-NV, Senate committee for Indian Affairs.

The St. Eustache MMF Local ALWAYS hosts great events. If you are anywhere near this awesome Métis community, drop in for a while or for the whole day. You won’t be sorry and you may get a chance to throw an axe or cook some bannock on a stick. Make sure it’s cooked all the way through!

You KNOW this is gonna be a fun time at Turtle Mountain & Dromore Lake. Let’s celebrate the legacy of President Louis Riel Jr and our Red River Métis culture on Sunday February 18th!

Day 2 of the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) legislative assembly in Washington DC. Networking with American cousins on best practices, new technologies, & ways of working for our people. 1/2

Being a Hockey Dad for one day in Grand Forks ND at the Ralph means taking pictures. I’m learning though - not yelling at the refs or calling penalty shots or offsides. Improving one day at a time. @huntergoodon scored a nice goal, gotta brag a bit.

Ok. The Polar Plunge fundraiser for the MMF Turtle Mountain Local is rescheduled. March 3rd at Lake Metigoshe in the Turtle Mountains. I will be jumping in the lake (likely pushed) in support of these fine folks and all the work they do for our Métis families in this community. Pledges are needed!

Just wrapping up a meeting with @manitobamuseum and Indigenous Elders & leaders on the emotional topic of ancestors remains in custody. Special thanks to the Elder who kept the balance and the respective aims of the group. This is a first step and I hope to be included moving forward.

Thanks to Mayor Gillingham for the invite to the #Winnipeg150 kickoff today at City Hall. Fun to chat with friends from the past, today and future. Congratulations Winnipeg!

A couple days late. I had a great evening emceeing the event at Bistro on Notre Dame where MMF Employment & Training partnered with Red River Polytech, FESA & the Bistro to launch a training program for Red River in culinary arts. Great to see Minister Cable, Oliver Boulette & so many others!

Update on our new foster pup: we are calling him Gus. I’m calling him Mister Gus. He is starting to come out of his shell but is still very shy, as if he is asking permission to do anything. He is sweet, starting to wag his tail when he sees us & gives kisses in appreciation.

We have a new foster. He doesn’t have a name yet but he’s a very good boy who was just rescued today. He’s never been inside before but we bonded over cookies & he’s already giving kisses.

15 years since the Duck Case decision was handed down from Manitoba Courts. It seems like just yesterday but at the same time, we have come a long ways. Including no site specific harvesting like how Alberta and Ontario boxed themselves in.

Just a few interior shots of the log cabin and some of my “stuff” including my saddle from when I was a teen. Every little thing in this place means something and comes from somewhere or someone.

Me and Champ and Skye spent the night at the cabin and we went for a walk on Sharpe Lake this morning. Checked out a beaver house, some trees along the lake shore and of course there was wrestling involved. Beautiful day.

Thank you @taygoodon for spending a few days with me. We got a lot done in your apartment and it made me so happy to do Dad stuff for you. Being your Dad is one of the greatest things ever. Super proud of you. 2024 is going to know you were here - keep doing what you do in school. Love you! ❤️

Happy birthday 🥳 to Senator Nora Cummings! She is definitely one of the coolest Métis Elders I’ve ever known. She’s also a true Métis warrior who doesn’t back down - she believes in her Nation & will take on any task or cause.

To all my friends & family, I hope 2024 is a great year. Life truly is one day at a time. It is learning something new, big or small, everyday. It is trying to be a wee bit better today than we were yesterday, not about being better than those around us. 1/2

In Vancouver for a couple days doing Dad stuff. Getting oil change this morning. Putting furniture together. Going to Canadian Tire 😊 and hanging up shelves. Hope everyone is good back in the Homeland. See you in the New Year!

Having lunch with my 2 sisters after they flew back from Calgary. Such a sweet time to see Laurie and Jo. And of course with Kelly and Laurie’s worker, Janna.

My newest challenge: teaching myself to carve wood. First project: a spoon! #learnsomethingneweveryday

Merry Christmas 🎅🏼 from our Southwest Region of the MMF! We had lunch and a gift exchange today with our staff. Amazing food and laughs and great company!

Happy birthday 🎂 Kerry! Hope your day is awesome! All the best from all of us!

Our annual Habs picture at the Winnipeg Jets game with this guy Hunter Goodon. Having a great time so far 😁

From last night at the cabin. Making it toasty warm with my woodstove. Regenerating my spirit at the same time.

👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 “As evidenced by the tumult surrounding the introduction of Bill C-53, in the 20 years since it was decided, Powley has paradoxically played an outsized role in the progressive deterioration of the Métis Nation.”

Uncle Ernie told me lots of stories and lots of the old ways. I still feel blessed that he was my uncle and liked to hang out with me. I remember once he described how chokecherry trees were used as pitchforks. I thought I would give it a try this year. 1/2

A beautiful crisp morning today. Trying my best to capture some of nature, in the moment. BE HAPPY FOR THIS MOMENT. THIS MOMENT IS YOUR LIFE. Omar Khayyam

Thank you to Minister Bernadette Smith for the chance to begin discussions about Red River Métis housing & homelessness issues. I’m hopeful for some partnerships with the new Manitoba Government that will make a difference for our families & communities.

How cool is this? I bought a Sasquatch beaded pendant last week at the AFN and just happened to be wearing it tonight. Ray Bourque, Stanley Cup winner with Colorado Avalanche signed it for me. Thanks, Ray!

I was invited to a fundraiser for the Selkirk Steelers tonight. I got to meet & visit with 2 legends - Ray Bourque of the Boston Bruins & Colorado Avalanche & Darryl Sittler of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I wore my Montreal Canadiens toque on purpose. They were gracious.

It is sad that an Elder is being used 2 distract from the real issue: Bill C53 is about letting fake Métis in fake Métis communities get legitimacy. If MNA didn’t tie themselves 2 MNO, this issue would b moot. MNA, do the right thing- protect our Nation!!!

Thank you so much to Chris Yates and his family for this wonderful token of friendship. It will take an honoured place on my family Christmas tree 🎄 and I’ve added your name on the back so I never forget. Merry Christmas 🎅🏼 to the Yates family!

Happy birthday Taylor Goodon! I hope your day was as awesome as could be. Love you very very much and can’t wait to see you in a few days on your break from studies. ❤️

An honour to chat with the three national Indigenous leaders tonight. President Natan Obed of Inuit Tapirit Kanatami, recently elected National Chief Cindy Woodhouse & President David Chartrand of the National Govt of the Red River Métis.