Indigenous Success Stories: Métis

August 5, 2021


Ādisōke: Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada – Ādisōke is an Anishinābemowin word that refers to the telling of stories and is the new name for the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada joint facillity given on behalf of the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation, Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.
Storytelling is the traditional means by which Indigenous peoples share knowledge, culture and history over generations. Ādisōke is a meaningful and fitting name for the joint facility, as storytelling represents the coming together of knowledge, history, discovery, culture, creativity, collaboration, and connections. Ādisōke also evokes what is at the heart of the partner institutions: Library and Archives Canada as a keeper of Canadian and Indigenous stories, and Ottawa Public Library’s use of stories to build community and transform lives by inspiring learning, sparking curiosity, and connecting people.

Set to open its doors in late 2024, with an official opening in 2025, Ādisōke will become a landmark destination built on the shared values of the partner institutions. The facility, designed by Diamond Schmitt, in joint venture with Ottawa partner, KWC architects will deliver a rich customer experience through Ottawa Public Library’s Central Library and Library and Archives Canada’s public services, exhibitions and events, which showcases Indigenous stories and histories, as well as Canadian heritage. The joint programming and services will make this a truly unique offering in Canada


March 31, 2020


Canada 150 Fund: Indigenous Projects

Indigenous related projects included:

  • five signature projects (out of 38, or 13% of all signature projects);
  • two (out of 38, or 5% of all signature projects) that are specifically designed to promote reconciliation and
  • 248 (out of 636, or 39% of all community projects)

Many organizations including the City of Vancouver celebrated Canada 150+ where the “+” sign acknowledged that Indigenous peoples lived under their own laws, cultures and governance structures long before Canada became a country in 1867. The very nature of celebrating “Canada 150” – without the + sign – is an act of erasure by eliminating Indigenous history from the national narrative.


July 31, 2015


Métis National Heritage Centre

$1M funding to the Manitoba Métis Federation through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The Centre will present the history of the Métis Nation and their significant role in the development of Canada. Through exhibitions, workshops, presentations and community gatherings held at the centre, the MMF will continue to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Métis people
Upper Fort Garry, built between 1834 and 1837, was the centre of trade for an area that was larger than Eastern Europe and was the administrative and judicial body of the Red River Settlement, which was governed by the Hudson’s Bay Company. It was also the site where Louis Riel formed the Metis-led Provisional Government which led to Manitoba entering Confederation as a province.