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Grand Master Fiddlers play show at legion on Saturday

By Sarah Wegelin
10717251_web1_Davene-Dunn

By Sarah Wegelin

The Metis Nation Columbia River society is hosting the Grand Master Fiddlers at the legion this weekend.

On February 24, MNCRS will host Grand Master fiddlers, Gordon Stobbe, who was recently appointed to the order of Canada for his creative work, and J.J. Guy at Golden’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 122.

Nova Scotian musician, Stobbe, is known for his collaborations with traditional and old-time musicians across Canada, was recently appointed to the order of Canada, as reported, “for his commitment to the preservation of fiddle music as a performer, composer and teacher.”

He will join colleague, Saskatchewan musician, J.J. Guy for the family event.

This event follows a discussion about the over representation of indigenous children in foster care, which was held on Feb. 20 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The president of Metis Nation B.C. Clara Morin Dal Col B.C., and director for Metis Children and Families Jason Simmonds led the discussion with other members to discuss the ways to reduce issues in the foster system.

They looked at reports from organizations providing services to children in care and shared individual concerns and experiences to determine gaps.

According to Statistics Canada, First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth made up 52% of foster children younger than 14 in Canada, despite representing just eight per cent of that age group, in 2016.

According to an article published by Maclean’s magazine titled Fighting Foster Care Kyle Edwards reports, “between 1989 and 2012, Indigenous children have spent more than 66 million nights in foster care—the equivalent of 180,000 years. These national statistics, however, only account for children living in private households. If they included those who live in group homes, shelters or mental health facilities, say advocates, the total would be far higher. The numbers vary between provinces and territories, but the imbalance applies across the country, and has reached crisis proportions in the west.”

Dunn explains when a child is placed into care they can stay until they are 18 years old and are often kicked out of care with no education, no home, and no mom or dad.

“It’s just not right, we need to do something about it,” Dunn says.

The goal of the meeting in Golden, B.C., was to find out ways to provide lifelong connections to indigenous children in our area, especially of those in care.

“The idea is if we can support our children and if we can support our families then children don’t need to be in care,” Dunn explains, adding, “out of this meeting I think there will be a lot of actions to take.”

The Metis First Nations often hosts events and discussions like these. The next event, the Grand Master Fiddlers promises to be an evening of fun and dancing.

Dunn says the fiddling event will serve as a fundraiser for the RCL Branch 122 and the MNCRS and should be a lot of fun for families. Tickets are running out.

Tickets can be purchased through Dunn at 250-344-5508.

Stobbe and Guy are known for their collaborations creating published texts on the fiddle (www.twinfiddles.ca) and teaching and performing across Canada.