Ed Talk: Sharing our Story , Living on a Métis Road Allowance

**Our September Ed Talk will be taking place on Zoom**

Join the Cranbrook History Centre on Zoom on September 29th to welcome Métis Elder Marie Schoenthal, and cutural facilitator, Amy Cross. From 7 – 8:30 pm MT we will be diving into Marie’s lived experience growing up on a Métis Road Allowance.

Marie lived on a Métis Road Allowance until she was 15 years old, and shares her experiences of living off the land, harvesting animals, berries and living in a small one-room house with her family. Marie grew up speaking Michif, the traditional language of the Métis people and discusses the transition school and learning English. This in-depth story shares the hardships of living off the land, and the abuse that she faced growing up. This is a once in a lifetime experience that journey’s you back to the early 1900’s in Canadian history, Marie’s story is educational, heartwarming, engaging and is appropriate for all ages.  

About Our Speakers:

Marie Schoenthal, Métis Elder, mentor, and Kokum was raised in the small road allowance community in Crooked Lake, Saskatchewan, where she grew up with 2 brothers and 4 sisters. Marie is a fluent Michif speaker, who has very involved in the Métis community in Medicine Hat and Calgary, teaching Michif, jigging and cultural practices to community members. Marie currently lives in Calgary, and has 3 children 4 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren. She enjoys being with her family, listening to old time fiddle music, jigging and a good belly laugh. 

Amy Cross is a Métis woman who is very proud of her Métis cultural background, and infuses it into all aspects of her life. She has worked in the Indigenous field for over 20 years, in various capacities, although her passion is the Métis people and culture. Amy, has taken her inspiration from her mentors Marie Schoenthal and Jeannette Hansen both Métis Elders, and respected in the Métis community across Canada. Amy, can also be found in nature, and infuses her love of the environment into her art. Her current passion is pebble art and has recently, started a business called Pebble Art from Nature. Amy, is married has two children, and currently living in Cranbrook BC.