Who We Are
Métis 1st is a team of FVMA members who have served many years on the Board of Directors. We have chosen to run together to lead the Fraser Valley Métis Association.
Our Commitments to You
Following is the list of commitments we will make to you as an elected Board.
- Continue to survey the needs of our community members and use the information to guide our programs and budgets.
- Engage and recruit community members to participate in community events and activities.
- Value and embrace the diversity of our community members to ensure inclusivity and respect for all members.
- Continue to promote our association with the surrounding communities, governments and organizations.
- Solid Professional Leadership
- Protect our Metis identity as defined by the Métis National Council General Assembly “National Definition” adopted in 2002
- “Métis” means a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation.”
Our Achievements while Serving on the Board of Directors
- Coordinating Monthly gatherings
- Setting up and Participating in Regional Picnics
- Setting up and Participating in Louis Riel Celebrations at Fort Langley
- Canoe/Kayak Program
- Implementing Michif Language Lessons and Securing Language Materials
- Engaging with the Communities surrounding us
- Establishing a Covid-19 response plan
- Creating Community Partnerships
- Updated the FVMA vision, core values, and mission statement
- Establishing a Fiddle Program
- Establishing and teaching both an Archery and Rifle program
- Establishing and running Summer camps for our Children
- Providing and teaching Hide workshops such as Rattle Making
- Creation of our fvma.ca Website
- Providing Beading workshops
- Providing Weaving workshops
- Updated the FVMA vision, core values, and mission statement
Meet our Team
Lisa Hendry
Lisa comes from a long line of strong Métis women and is the proud Great Grand Daughter of Georgina Nàdon from St Peters, Manitoba and descends from the Red River Settlement.
Lisa is a Family Nurse Practitioner and is passionate about promoting health and wellness through an Indigenous health perspective. This perspective includes having a strong sense of identity and community connections.
A FVMA member since 2013 and served as a board member for 5 years, including as President, Lisa is proud to serve her Métis Chartered Community.
Dawn Johnson
Dawn’s Métis heritage comes from my mother’s side from St. Boniface, Manitoba. Métis culture was not part of my upbringing but has become a big part of my life and I am passionate about learning and sharing cultural knowledge. I look forward to passing this on to my child and grandchildren.
Dawn’s career is in business. Which started by helping run the family printing business, then she went on to own her a fitness company.
Over the years she has had the opportunity to hold many portfolios while serving on the Board, including serving as President for five years, also has served as Women’s Representative and Treasurer. It is a great honor and I look forward to continuing this work.
Leo Nolin
Leo’s ancestors are from St.Boniface, Manitoba and originated from Sault St.Marie. President of “Inner City Local” @ Manitoba Métis Federation, in 1976. Attended Back to Batoche, Féte de Michif St. Vital, Michif gatherings at Lido Plagé, Charleswood in the 1940’s & 1950’s.
Leo’s career is in Aboriginal Social Services for 30 years, with a passion for Children and Families. Leo has been involved in Métis Politics since the 1960’s.
Part of the Fraser Valley Métis Association since 2003. Served on the Board several times. Roles included Director of Children and Families and President.
Curt Smecher
Curt grew up in the Métis community of St Albert, Alberta. His family traces back to Northern Saskatchewan, Batoche and the Red River (Delorme, Ross, Short, Vivier, Tibault, Pierce)
Curt is a recently retired Doctor, the President of the BC Target Sports Association (Olympic Rifle and Pistol), the Coaching Chair of BC Archery Association. He has coached at the BC Games, the Canada Games and was selected as BC’s Head Coach for the North American Indigenous Games for Rifle. He is a founding Board Member of iSparc, our Provincial Indigenous Sports Organization. He hunts, fishes, is a licensed trapper
and owns a 300 square km trapline on Vancouver Island.
Curt has been part of the FVMA since about 2015, and has served as Membership Director or Vice President for most of that time. He has been teaching our Métis and Indigenous youth Rifle and Archery for the past 5 years.
Jeff MacDonald
Jeff’s Métis ancestral families are the Bird’s and the Dumont’s. Both families have ties to the Red River colony as well as Onion Lake and Fort Edmonton. On the Dumont side, Jeff’s ancestors are related to Gabriel Dumont.
Jeff has a diploma in Business and has worked in Management and Accounting. Recently in the last year Jeff successfully completed an Electrical Apprenticeship and is now a Red Seal Journeyman Electrician. He currently works as an Electrical Estimator and Project Manager for a local company.
Joined FVMA in 2018 and shortly after joined the Board of Directors as Director of Membership. Created the fvma.ca website during this time.
Madison (Madi) Hendry
Madison comes from a strong line of Métis women and descends from the Red River Settlement.
Madison works as a Indigenous Support Worker in the Abbotsford School District while attending her fourth-year at the University of the Fraser Valley to pursue a teaching career. She works passionately to ensure all Metis Youth are given every opportunity possible to succeed in life holistically (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually).
Madison has been recognized by MNBC as a Metis Youth Role Model in 2016 and most recently has successfully been awarded a $47,500 grant to build a greenhouse and community garden on behalf of Chief Dan Middle School where students will learn Indigenous values and traditions. Madison is excited to be part of a team that can further serve her Métis Chartered Community.
Giselle Richardson
Giselle is proud to be Metis with roots from the Red River settlements and Kookum to 6 grandchildren.
She is a teacher specializing in learning disabilities for the last 20 years. As a resource teacher she advocates for students and families to receive equitable opportunity to succeed. Prior to teaching she spent many years coordinating, implementing, budgeting, hiring, and training staff to execute meaningful recreational activities in her community.
She began volunteering with FVMA at the first Youth Summer Camp 2018 and looks forward to an opportunity to serve on the board.
Denise MacDonald
Denise’s ancestor’s are from the Bird and the Dumont families. Both families have ties to the Red River colony as well as Onion Lake and Fort Edmonton. On the Dumont side, Denise’s ancestors are related to Gabriel Dumont. Denise’s father is Clifford Dumont who’s cousin is Bruce Dumont, a former MNBC President. Clifford was one of the founding fathers of the very first Métis communities in BC.
Denise was born in Edmonton. After moving to BC, Denise held several positions within the service industry and trained to be a beautician (her father was a Barber). At one point she even ran her own salon, Norden.
Denise has been an active FVMA community member since 2018. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve the community and help establish programs and gatherings that will bring our community together to learn more about the Métis history and culture.