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Inaugural Gabriel Dumont Research Chair in Métis / Michif Education
A conversation with Dr . Melanie Brice
In June , the Faculty of Education launched the inaugural Gabriel Dumont Research Chair in Métis / Michif Education . Dr . Melanie Brice was appointed to the Chair for a 5-year term . With the establishment of this new Chair , the first in a Faculty of Education in Canada , and many other endeavours toward Truth and Reconciliation , the Faculty continues to demonstrate a concerted and sustained commitment to teaching and research that is engaging faculty , students , and other education stakeholders in gaining a deeper understanding of our shared histories and a reconciliatory approach to a more just future .
Dr . Melanie Brice ’ s upbringing as a Michif ( Métis ): “ A Culture of Place ” people .’ And constantly reminded that family is important ,” says Melanie .
Dr . Melanie Brice , a Michif ( Métis ) born in Meadow Lake and raised at Jackfish Lake , Saskatchewan , has a strong understanding of Indigenous histories , cultures , languages and literacies , perspectives , educational experiences , and cross-cultural education issues . However , Melanie didn ’ t start out with this understanding . “ SUNTEP was pivotal in helping me see how all my experiences growing up were an important part of my identity . I knew that I was Métis and what that meant . With SUNTEP , I learned how to integrate these understandings into my teaching and how to explain them to others .” says Melanie .
“ Most of my childhood recollections are around time spent at my grandparents ’ ranch , north of Meadow Lake . I had a charmed childhood , living at the lake , and spending holidays at the ranch , riding horses and playing with my cousins ,” says Melanie . Her family had instilled values that she understands as Métis : “ I was always told , ‘ Be proud . We are hard-working
Genealogy is another interesting aspect of her Métis upbringing . Because Melanie is fair , her grandfather used to call her “ wapistikwaan ,” meaning “ white head ” and she wonders if he talked a lot about their genealogy because he knew there would come a time when she would be questioned . “ Interesting , with everything going on around identity fraud ,” Melanie says . “ One reason genealogy is part of Métis culture is because we are always asked to prove our identity . We didn ’ t have the same recognition , rights , or status around the Indian Act .” Quoting 20th Century activist and Métis , Howard Adams , she says , “ We are the forgotten people .”
From her genealogy , Melanie mentions ancestors such as Cuthbert Grant Jr , “ considered warden of the prairie , one of the Métis leaders when Métis people became political with the Battle of Seven Oaks ,” says Melanie , and Cyprien Morin and his wife Marie Morin who were among the first to settle at Meadow Lake in the late
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