Time To Laugh and Move On

Well, this took a bit to write. First I want to thank all you northern folk that take the time to comment on the blog, email or write me letters. I enjoy all your thoughts and appreciate the time you give them. I guess I just want to reply to and thank those of you northern Metis that took the time to write or email me sharing your feelings or comments on the recent election. I appreciate your concerns and empathise with your frustration; however I encourage each and every one of you to continue to express your feelings clearly and respectfully, ask pointed informed questions of the new board and demand direct and timely responses. Above all do not fall into despair and step away from the Metis peoples that need your strong voices and clear thinking. It is easy for us to throw our hands up and walk away, that is not the northern way and we all know it. All northern peoples whether Metis, Inuit, First Nation, early families or recent immigrates would not be in the north if we were weak or quitters. I implore you all to keep fighting the good fight, advocate against northern disparity, remain centered to the earth, and keep focused and clear. I think what we all need right about now is a good chuckle. I have started the ball rolling and challenge every one of you to come up with at least one way we may know you are a Northern Metis!

Are You a Northern Metis?
(one point for every statement you can say yes to) the winner gets to help me split a couple cords of firewood. Who could say no to that treat??..hmmm?

You may be a northern Metis if……….
--you have ever used the trunk of your car or the back of your pick-up as a spare deep freeze for more than 30 days.

--you have not only eaten moose stew but have at least 5 favorite recipes for it.

--you have chipped a tooth on buck shot whilst eating grouse, duck or goose

--you have used a power saw to cut the Sunday roast off the frozen carcass hanging in the smoke house/barn/shop/back porch/spare bedroom (yes I mean you Bannock Burner) etc.

--you actually prefer the taste of canned or powdered milk on your cereal

--you have said at least once in your life in shock…“What do you mean horrible and cruel? There is some good eating on a ……beaver/muskrat/bunny/cute little deer/bear!!

--you get a glint in your eye when you see your life partner in his/her grey wool long-johns ‘ cause that means one of two things…YAY I’m getting lucky…or shit I have to melt more snow it’s bath night

--you own two pairs of gum boots; the ones with holes just above the heel and folded over frayed tops, and your "getting gussied up and going to town pair"

You are Super Northern Metis Person and get 2 extra points if……..

--you can drive down a road and tell what kind of wood every house/cabin you pass is burning by the smell of the smoke (a 2 extra points if you know they haven’t cleaned the chimney yet that month)

Your turn

Unofficial Poll Results

Well that was an interesting little exercise. I doubt that the results of the unofficial poll will be a very accurate predictor of the upcoming election as I did not get a large enough response. I have posted the results below just for a lark....we can see how accurate they are on Sunday! The results of the Tante Poll indicate that the following candidates will be successful in the north.
Earl Belcourt
Dave Hodgson
Rose Bortolon
Rene Therrien
Tony Goulet
Dan Pope
Melissa Swears Phung
Susie Hooper
I wish to take a moment to nag nag nag all eligible Metis voters to "get off yer duff "and get out and vote tomorrow. Remember we have the leaders we deserve. Good luck to all the candidates.

Summer is Done and Elections are Upon Us---Be Afraid...Very Afraid!

Goodness gracious flying day old bannock! What a summer it has been for this old Tanté; I spent it out in Yekooche Territory. Having survived another northern break-up (never doubt us old Metis we are as tough as nails) I spent the spring smoking and half drying beaver meat and tanned a couple of moose hides I had left in the ice over winter. Thanks to Kim Hodgson for this tip, the hair comes off slicker than pond scum if you lay the hide fur side down on the first fall ice and pull it out as soon as you can in th spring thaw! The first hide was a little stiff but it will make great mocasson soles. The second hide hung in the smoke house a wee bit longer than it should have...nuff said. The summer days in the interior were a treat, dry, sunny with cold clear nights. It reminded me a lot of the summers in the NWT along the Salt River. So I spent the spring and summer in good company, celebrated my wedding anniversary with my wonderful husband and got to spend time with family and friends (there never seems enough time). I am just now really giving some thought to the upcoming MNBC election and even more thought to an email I received from Mr. Henry in response to a request I had made of him. The last issue ties in quite strongly to his comments on my journalistic and blog attempt so I think I will address that in my next musings.