08/25/2026
Hello Calgary Kevin here for another Métis Monday.
I’ve got a few things to talk about today, and I want to start with something happening this Thursday evening that I think is a really great opportunity for anyone who has ever thought about getting more involved in our community.
This Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Calgary office, 1530 27th Avenue Northeast, our Chief Electoral Officer, Roxanne, and Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Marta, will be hosting an information session about what it looks like to run for Council here in Calgary Nose Hill District 5, as well as what it means to run for elected office within the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
As we continue building our District Council, we would really like to see at least people come forward and consider putting their names in.
And coming to the information session doesn't mean you're committing to running.
Maybe you've thought about it but don't know what's involved. Maybe you have questions about the time commitment or responsibilities. Maybe you simply want to understand how our government works and where you might fit into it.
If you've ever wondered how you can give back, get involved, or help support your community, come down Thursday night, meet Roxanne and Marta, ask your questions and find out what it's all about. if you are filling out your forms and you need to do your clearance or security check you can use mybackcheck.com or mycrc.ca
Before Thursday, though, we also have our regular drop-in beading circle this Wednesday at the Calgary office from 5 to 7pm.
And I believe this is also our potluck night, so bring something along to share if you can.
These evenings are pretty informal. Come down, have something to eat, visit with people, ask questions, talk about what's happening in the District, or just spend some time together. You don't need a big reason to come through the door.
Now, I also just got back from Slave Lake, where we held our Annual Citizens’ Gathering this past weekend.
And it really was a wonderful weekend.
It was great seeing people I already knew, meeting new people from across the Nation, sharing some pretty good food, and just having conversations.
And I think one of the things I appreciated most was the tone of those conversations.
There were different ideas and different perspectives, as there should be, but the discussions were steady and respectful. Citizens and Captains brought forward some really thoughtful proposals, and people had the opportunity to stand up and speak about things they believe could make our government and our Nation stronger.
The weekend actually started Thursday night when the Lesser Slave Lake District hosted a bison barbecue.
And they did a fantastic job.
The food was great, there was a huge turnout, and they had what looked like an army of volunteers working behind the scenes to make everything happen.
So I want to say a big marrsi to everyone in the Lesser Slave Lake District who volunteered, organized, cooked, served, cleaned up and helped make not only the barbecue, but the entire weekend such a success.
There was also a moment during the Gathering that meant quite a bit to me personally.
Our District Captains had worked together to bring forward four proposals, and I was especially proud to stand alongside Captain Lasante as she presented one of them.
But what mattered to me wasn't any one Captain standing at the microphone.
It was looking around and seeing our Captains standing together.
Different districts. Different communities. Different people and sometimes different perspectives.
But on these issues, we had worked together, we supported one another, and we stood together as a group.
All four of those proposals were accepted for further review over the coming year, and I hope our citizens were as proud of their Captains in that moment as I was to be standing there with them.
Because I think that's what good government should look like.
We aren't always going to agree. In fact, we probably shouldn't always agree.
But we should be able to sit at the same table, listen to one another, find the things we do agree on, and then work together to make things better for the people we were elected to serve.
And in a funny way, that brings me right back to where I started today.
If you've been sitting on the sidelines wondering whether you have something to contribute, maybe it's time to find out.
Come to the Calgary office Thursday at 6:00 p.m. and learn what it means to put your name forward.
Maybe you'll decide it's not for you.
Or maybe in November you'll be the person standing beside me the other counsellors helping to build what comes next.
Either way, showing up and asking the question is a pretty good place to start.
Marrsi everyone.
And remember…
that's a good place to start… Kevin out.
