The Role of the Facilitator
My Role as the facilitator is to create space for learners to engage in their learning, gain knowledge of Metis history and culture, and share my experiences and learning through story, song, and hands-on activities. As I am a lifelong learner, we will enhance our knowledge and build connections and community together throughout this process. I will guide age/development-appropriate activities provide learning resources for all my participants and acknowledge the individuals and groups that have shared with me.
The Mission
My mission is to share the Metis culture, history, art and all aspects of the Metis People that I have learned, experienced and lived. Through my journey of learning where I came from, I have begun to build and understand the relationship I have with the land where I live, work and play, as well as the
innate connection I have to my Metis Culture and way of being and knowing. As I continue the learning, I will continue to share with my Metis community as well as my non-indigenous allies, the unique history, rich culture and strength of the Metis People with others in a respectful and good way. My goal in working with Educators, children and youth is to share what I have learned about the Metis People and what I experienced being Metis. We must talk about the truth, work toward reconciliation celebrate the amazing culture of the Metis People and not allow any more history, culture and language to be lost.
Balanced Metis Sharing
Tansi, Hello my name is Jackie Greenlee, and I am a mother, a wife and a Metis woman. My love for the outdoors came from summer camping trips throughout my life, and now with my family. We spend time hunting, fishing and enjoying our 16-acre property just outside of Drayton Valley. Recreation and leisure are important parts of a healthy lifestyle and I work hard to educate her children on the importance of balance in their lives. As I explore that balance of life, I must not forget the importance of culture and spiritual health and the role that plays in our life. I am a proud Metis, although I was not raised in the Metis culture, as for many, it was not discussed for generations. As I have grown, wanting to understand my connection with nature, and later learn it was a relationship that I had with the land through my ancestors, I have begun to rebuild the traditions, the ways of knowing and the culture in my family. I now understand why I became a Recreation Therapist, what drew me to focus on Nature Therapy, overall health and wellbeing, and now I have the opportunity to share my story of how that was all rooted in my Metis spirit.
I am the Owner and Registered Recreation Therapist of Balance RT Consulting Ltd. I graduated from Mount Royal College in 1999, and have been working in the field of Therapeutic Recreation ever since. I have had the opportunity to work in many fields including mental health, geriatrics and end-of-life care but I found my passion for working with children and youth through Nature Therapy Programming when I started a family of my own.
The journey began by creating a THERAPEUTIC RECREATION Private Practice in 2014, and in 2016, Balance RT Consulting Ltd. was formed. I completed the Forest School Practitioners Course through The Child & Nature Alliance of Canada in the spring of 2020 and am now a certified Forest School Practitioner. I have completed the Indigenous Canada Certificate with the University of Alberta, Foundational Knowledge Themes with Rupertsland Institue and I am currently participating in the ELECT (Early Learning Educator Certificate Training) with Rupertsland Institute.
Balanced Metis Sharing
We offer 3 Balanced Metis Sharing Programs at Balance RT Consulting Ltd. Our facilitator Jackie Greenlee has developed a B.O.L.D (Balanced Outdoor Learning & Discovery) Land-Based Learning Program as well as a Classroom version for our learners that may not be able to access our facility. We will also be offering a Professional Development for Educators Program as well. The PD program will be
offered at our facility The BOLD Centre.
Our B.O.L.D Land Based Learning- Balanced Metis Sharing Program provides participants with the opportunity to spend time on the land where they can discover and explore while they learn about The Metis people at The BOLD Centre. This program is designed to provide opportunities and activities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants to think about the land and the Metis and explore their way of living and being. Our Therapeutic approach to this type of programming aims to connect participants’ cultural confidence and Metis knowledge while supporting their own mental, social, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Creating space for participants to build their own relationship with the land, and learn about Metis People's way of being through hands-on Metis Centered activities.
The Balanced Metis Sharing Programs we offer in the classroom will offer students and educators the opportunity to start and continue their journey of learning about the Metis People. Our facilitator will provide hands-on activities and meaningful discussions to the class. We have amazing resources provided by a variety of organizations and our goal is to share those with you to continue learning after our program ends. All resources and activities will be age/developmental appropriate and allow Educators to start bringing Metis learning to their classrooms. Some activities will include Metis art, hide tanning, and fur trade, allowing participants to truly understand the amazing creativity, hard work and traditions of the Metis People.
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Reflections, Gratitude & Reciprocity– We are privileged and acknowledge our programs are located on the unseeded Territory of Traditional First Nations, Inuit and the Metis Homeland. We will guide participants through meaningful planning and our approach to learning with gratitude. While we are learning and exploring we will reflect on what we are receiving from the land and honoring that gift. Our programs offer time on the land for individual reflection and the opportunity to build connections, reflect on learning and allow their senses to truly be enlivened.
Allowing the opportunity for both children and adults to explore the Metis people through Balanced Metis Sharing Programs will support all of us in celebrating, supporting and continuing the traditions of the Metis People. I will share resources and activities that participants can take with them to share with their families, their community or their students. There are many traditions and sacred ceremonies that can only be shared by our most honoured Elders and Knowledge keepers. As we continue through our journey we provide resources for participants to connect with local Metis Elders and Knowledge keepers. We will work to understand our role as both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people in respecting how knowledge should be shared.
BALANCED
Programs
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Land-Based Learning - The BOLD Centre
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Land-Based Learning - At School
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Classroom