The arts are a critical medium for the sharing and flourishing of culture, which underpins individual and community identities. The expressive arts allow a playful, safe, imaginal space and diverse arts media to explore and learn about ourselves, our communities, and our cultures, without judgement.

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Building on the 94 Calls to Action from the TRC, this program will include awareness of the healing arts as a way to express and celebrate identity and build knowledge of ways to share Métis arts and Michif language with others, as an antidote to the impacts of inter-generational trauma and current systemic racism.

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The Métis history and culture are rich in Manitoba. This program will build on knowledge of that history, as well as exploration of various art forms including fiddling, storytelling, art-making, felting, film, beading, and other traditional arts. There will be three immersion courses on Lake Manitoba in the Michif town of St. Laurent, as well as a series of online offerings. 

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A 200+ hour training is required to allow participants to become members of the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA) as members and as a part of the application to the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) as Expressive Arts Consultant Educators.

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This training may prove helpful and inspiring to artists, educators, workers in Métis and Indigenous support agencies, facilities and Friendship Centres, therapists, and anyone wishing to go deeper into awareness of their Métis identity or wishing to better commit as allies in the Métis and Indigenous resurgence.