Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre - Mfnerc

🎉What an incredible day of culture, connection, and celebration! 🎉

On June 9th, Chief Sam Cook Mahmuwee Education Centre celebrated with the sound of drums, the spirit of the dancers, and the pride of students, staff, families, and communities during MFNERC’s 5th Annual Inter-School Pow Wow.

Youth from First Nations schools came together to celebrate culture, share traditions, and proudly showcase their regalia in a vibrant display of identity, resilience, and community spirit. Events like these strengthen connections, honour our teachings, and support the ongoing revitalization of First Nations languages, cultures, and traditions within education.

A huge thank you to the dancers, drum groups, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, volunteers, organizers, and everyone who helped make this gathering such a meaningful success. Your contributions continue to inspire the next generation and keep our cultures strong.

Due to rain issues and wet fields, it was decided to move the 6th Annual MFNSS Softball tournament to Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

Plan to be in Winnipeg the night before and be ready to start at 9:00 am.

Watch our social media for more details!

For any questions or concerns, please contact Michael Flett at [email protected] or Mike Thomas at [email protected]

📚✨ Celebrating Student Voices, Treaty Education, and Heritage Learning! ✨📚

As part of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba’s (TRCM) Treaty Week cele-brations and 20th Anniversary, MFNERC students were invited to showcase their Her-itage Fair projects at the Agowiidiwinan Centre at The Forks.

Students from Mantou Sakahigan Kiskinamakewikamik (MSK) in God’s Lake First Na-tion proudly shared award-winning projects that highlight the importance of treaties, history, culture, and community knowledge.

👏 Congratulations to Valentina Hill, whose project Asotamakewin: God’s Lake & the Signing of Treaty 5 earned recognition from the Treaty Relations Commission of Mani-toba, the Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and the Manitoba Historical Society. Her project was also selected as a 2025 Heritage Fair National Showcase winner.

👏 Congratulations as well to Natania Hill and Rayne Anderson for their project Pahkowsimowin: The Revival of Thirst Dance at Mantou Sakahigan, which explores the impacts of the Indian Act and the revitalization of cultural practices through treaty understanding and community resilience. Their outstanding work has also earned them an invitation to a special reception at the Governor General’s House.

MFNERC is incredibly proud of these students and the continued growth of Heritage Fair programming in First Nations schools. Through research, storytelling, and guid-ance from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members, students are devel-oping valuable skills while deepening their understanding of their heritage, culture, and history.

We look forward to seeing more inspiring projects at the 3rd Annual MFNERC Heritage Fair on November 26, 2026, at the Manitoba Museum! 💛

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🎨🌟 Join the MFNERC Team This Summer! 🌟🎨

MFNERC is hiring a Graphic Designer – Summer Student for a full-time term from July 6 to September 4, 2026.

In this role, you'll work alongside our communication & publishing team to create educational and organizational materials while building valuable skills in graphic design, layout development, and print-ready production.

To learn more, visit https://mfnerc.org/about-us/work-here/

📖🌸 On May 29, MFNERC celebrated the launch of Mechant Sauvage, a powerful memoir of truth, resilience, and healing, at the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba building.

The event was hosted by Mary’s daughter, Felicia, who shared her mother’s journey with strength and grace, guiding attendees through a story that spans generations.

Mechant Sauvage offers a deeply personal reflection on the lasting impacts of residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and the enduring strength of identity, culture, and family. Through hardship and healing, Mary’s story demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of reclaiming one’s voice.

This memoir is not only a testament to survival but also a celebration of courage, hope, and the strength that emerges from sharing lived experiences.

💛 Thank you to everyone who joined us to honour this important story and to support the ongoing journey of truth, healing, and reconciliation. All story shared helps deepen understanding and create pathways toward a stronger future.

🗣️✨ Celebrating Our Languages, Culture, and Youth! ✨🗣️

On June 2, students from MFNERC and MFNSS schools gathered at Charles Sinclair School in Fisher River Cree Nation for the 3rd Annual First Nations Youth Celebration of Our Languages.

The event highlighted the incredible achievements of students participating in First Nations language programming, providing opportunities for early, middle, and high school learners to showcase their language skills and cultural knowledge.

Throughout the day, students proudly demonstrated their learning through traditional and contemporary songs, nursery rhymes, skits, traditional demonstrations, picture conversations, vocabulary challenges, games, artwork, and more. Each presentation reflected the dedication of students, educators, and language keepers working to strengthen and revitalize First Nations languages.

💛 Congratulations to all participants for sharing your voices, talents, and love for language. All word spoken helps keep our languages strong for future generations.

🦅🌿 Explore the Animal World Through First Nations Languages 🌿🦌

These helpful learning templates make it fun and engaging for students to discover animals while practicing the First Nations languages of Manitoba.

Featuring simple illustrations and flexible blackline masters, these resources encourage creativity, language learning, and cultural connection in the classroom.

Perfect for teachers, students, and community learning spaces!

📖 To get your own copy, visit: https://mfnerc.org/product/first-nations-languages-animals-1/