Lii Roon di Michif Oohpikiewiwak - Métis Caregivers Circle

01/05/2026

Here's a great Michif Monday post from Métis Nation British Columbia!

Whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny (yet chilly) in your Region, we’d like to remind you to wear a scarf - it's cold! ❄️ Here it is in Northern, Southern, and French Michif:

🧣 La moshwårr pohc’skaw! Tahkâyâw ôma!

🧣 Enn krimun kishkow, kishinow!

🧣 Mey ayn krimon. Y fay fret.

We say maarsii (thank you) to Elder Ted Ratt, Elder Norman Fleury, Dr. June Bruce, and Dr. Lorraine Coutu for sharing their wisdom in these translations.

Explore these phrases (and many more) through the Michif Phrase Search on The Amelia Douglas Institute for Métis Culture and Language website: https://ameliadouglasinstitute.ca/phrases

Plan a visit in the New Year to experience their latest exhibit, Stewards of our Stories: https://ameliadouglasinstitute.ca/connect-with-us -a-visit

Please note: MNBC offices will be closed from December 19, 2025, to January 5, 2026. For support during this time, we encourage you explore available resources we’ve compiled: http://mnbc.ca/news/resources-over-holidays

12/17/2025

Why Wednesday: Why We Are Transforming Child Welfare at LMO

Lii Michif Otipemisiwak is delegated to practice child and family services for a profound reason: to keep our children connected to their family, community, culture, and land. We are changing the narrative.

We Are Transforming Practice By:

Centering the Child: Our approach focuses on the inherent strengths of the child, their family, and their community, prioritizing healing, connection and safety.

Honouring Self-Determination: We operate under guidance of our Métis Elders and Community, ensuring decisions about our children are made by our own people.

Building a Different Legacy: We are actively working to move away from the colonial model of child welfare and build a system rooted in kishchiitaytamihk (Respect) and shaakihiwayhk (Love).

By choosing to become a caregiver with LMO, you are not just fostering a child—you are helping to build a new, stronger future for our Métis People. That is the true “why” behind our work.

➡️ Ready to commit to culturally-grounded care? Inquire today! https://lmofcs.ca/caregivers/

12/16/2025

Tip Tuesday: Caregiving During the Holiday Season

If you are planning to become a caregiver (foster parent) soon, the holidays may be a factor in placements. This time of year can be joyous, but also challenging for children experiencing separation or trauma.

Here’s our Tip for navigating the season:

Know your capacity and your home’s schedule. Matching is critical during the holidays.

We take great care to match a child's needs with a home's ability to provide stability during a busy time. A stable schedule might be better than a packed schedule.

Three holiday focus tips:

Set Realistic Expectations: If you receive a placement near the holidays, keep traditions simple and and focus on comfort, not extravagance.

Ask About Connections: Be prepared to support phone calls or visits with the child's family and kinship network during the holidays, as this connection is vital.

Honour Their History: Ask the child (if appropriate) about their favorite holiday traditions and respectfully try to incorporate elements of their past into your present.

We are here to walk with you through every step!

➡️ What is one comforting holiday tradition you could share with a child in your care?

12/16/2025

Michif Monday: Getting Ready for the Deep Freeze

We may have broke a warm weather record for December yesterday, but we know winter weather is on it's way!

As we move deeper into the season, we turn to a phrase that often signals the true start of winter:

Mitoni kishinaaw (Pronounced: Mih-toh-nee kish-ee-naaw)
This translates to "It will be very cold."

This phrase is a practical reminder to prepare our homes and ensure everyone is safe and warm. For us, this phrase is a gentle prompt to check on our community members, especially during the coldest months. Every Métis child deserves a warm, safe home to weather the winter.

May your week be filled with warmth and good company!

➡️ What is your best tip for staying warm and cozy in Kamloops during a cold snap?

12/12/2025

FAQ Friday: Myth Busting (Prior Parenting Experience)

Lack of formal parenting experience is one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to apply, assuming we only accept seasoned parents.

MYTH: You can't be a caregiver if you have never parented before.

FACT: False! We provide comprehensive training and support, regardless of your past experience.

While prior experience is helpful, we prioritize qualities like patience, resilience, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to cultural connection. If you have an open heart and a stable home, we will provide you with the training, mentorship, and resources needed to develop the skills to successfully care for a child.

➡️ Ready to start your caregiving journey, with or without experience? Inquire today! https://lmofcs.ca/caregivers/

12/10/2025

Why Wednesday: Why Holidays Are Hard for Children in Care

The holidays are often pictured as a time of perfect joy, but for many families, this period is marked by high stress, financial pressure, and grief. For children and youth in care, these feelings are amplified.

The Holidays Are Difficult Because:

Grief is Amplified: The holidays highlight the absence of family and familiar traditions, intensifying feelings of loss, grief, and separation trauma.

Increased Stress: High expectations for cheer and constant exposure to idealized family images on social media can make a child feel isolated and unworthy.

Disruption of Routine: Travel, school breaks, and changes to routine can dismantle the stability a child relies on, leading to increased anxiety and behavioral challenges.

Your caregiving home provides the safety, stability, and cultural connection needed to turn a season of stress into one of healing and belonging. That is the true “why” behind our work.

➡️ Ready to commit to culturally-grounded care? Inquire today!
https://lmofcs.ca/caregivers/

12/09/2025

Tip Tuesday: Preparing for the SAFE Homestudy Interviews

The series of SAFE Homestudy Interviews is your chance to share your heart, history, and vision for fostering. This is an essential part of the screening process where we build a relationship based on trust.

Here’s our Tip for the interviews:

Focus on being honest, not perfect. We are looking for resilient people, not flawless ones.

Be prepared to discuss both your strengths and the challenges you have overcome in your life. Your capacity to heal and grow is a great asset.

Three key points to remember:

Discuss Challenges Openly: If you've faced past struggles (e.g., divorce, loss, addiction), discuss them, emphasizing the steps you took to learn and maintain stability now.

Know Your Support Network: Be ready to talk about the family and friends who will be your emotional and practical support system as a caregiver.

Know Your Motivation: Clearly articulate why you want to provide care to a Métis child. This helps us find the best match for you.
We are here to walk with you through every step!

➡️ What quality do you believe is most important for a successful caregiver? Share your thoughts below!

12/09/2025

Michif Monday: Winter is coming!

With the chill in the air here in Kamloops, it's the perfect time for our next Michif word!

Mishpoon (Pronounced: Mish-poon)

This simple word translates to "It's snowing."

This word marks the start of the season when our families draw closer, and the need for warm, safe homes becomes even more evident. In the Métis tradition, the change of seasons signals a time for gathering, storytelling, and preparing our homes.

May your week be filled with warmth and good company!

➡️ What is your favorite Métis winter tradition or activity? Share it in the comments!

12/05/2025

FAQ Friday: Myth Busting (Relationship Status)

We often hear from people who feel they must be married or in a partnership to apply to be a caregiver. This is simply not true!

MYTH: You must be in a committed relationship to be a caregiver.
FACT: False! We welcome applications from single individuals, couples, and partners of all kinds.

What matters most is that you can provide a stable, safe, and supportive home environment. Many successful caregivers are single individuals who have strong extended family and community support circles to rely on. We assess your capacity to care, not your marital status.

➡️ Ready to start your application, solo or with a partner? Inquire today! https://lmofcs.ca/caregivers/

12/04/2025

Thankful Thursday: The Gift of Respite

This week, we send our gratitude to those who provide the essential gift of respite. A break is not a luxury; it is a necessity that allows caregivers to recharge their strength and continue their tireless work.

Providing respite ensures the stability of the placement and the well-being of the caregiver. We are incredibly grateful for those who provide this vital service:

Respite Providers who offer short-term care, allowing caregivers to attend important events, appointments, or simply take a moment for self-care.

Friends and Family who step in to babysit, offering the caregiver a night off to connect with their spouse or support network.

The Flexibility of caregivers who support the respite needs of other families, building a network of mutual aid and support.

Your willingness to step in is an act of love (Shaakihiwayhk) that sustains the entire caregiving community.

Mitooni kishchi maarsii / Thank you very much!

12/03/2025

Why Wednesday: Why Caregiving Will Change Your Life

Opening your home to a Métis child or youth is a selfless act, but the rewards are deeply personal and life-changing. Caregiving is a journey of mutual growth.

Caregiving Enriches Your Life By:

Expanding Your Worldview: You gain new perspectives, learn new cultural practices, and connect more deeply with the Kamloops Métis community.

Teaching Resilience: Witnessing a child heal, grow, and reconnect with their identity is a powerful lesson in perseverance and hope.

Building Lasting Bonds: The unconditional love and stability you provide create bonds that last long after a placement ends, becoming lifelong connections.

If you are looking for a way to give back that challenges you and fills your life with profound meaning, caregiving is that opportunity. That is the true “why” behind our work.

➡️ Ready to commit to culturally-grounded care? Inquire today! https://lmofcs.ca/caregivers/

12/02/2025

Tip Tuesday: Don't Let the Paperwork Overwhelm You

The journey to becoming a Michif Community Caregiver (foster parent) involves necessary documentation designed to ensure the safety and support of everyone in your home. While the paperwork can seem daunting, breaking it down makes it manageable.

Here’s our Tip for tackling the application documents:

Keep a dedicated folder or digital file from day one! This turns a mountain into molehills. We guide you through the process, but having your information ready saves time.

Application Preparation Tips:

- Contact References Now: Line up your personal references early. Let them know what to expect so they can respond quickly when contacted.
- Medical Check-ins: You and all adult members of your household will need a medical clearance. Be ready to book these appointments in the near future.
- Background Checks: All adult household members require a criminal record and Ministry of Child and Family Development prior contact checks. Be ready to complete the necessary forms early in the process.

We are here to walk with you through every step!

➡️ What part of the application process are you most curious about? Ask us below!