Red River Métis Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF)—National Government of the Red River Métis—is the democratically elected self-government representative of the Red River Métis and is duly authorized by Red River Métis Citizens for the purposes of advocating for and protecting the rights, claims, interests, and responsibilities of the Red River Métis.

The Red River Métis have always been deeply connected to the lands and waters within the National Homeland – working closely with, and relying heavily on, natural resources for livelihood, sustenance, and the ability to practice their traditional Red River Métis culture.

The MMF recognizes the importance of protecting and conserving the traditional territory and beyond, for our Citizens and future generations to come. The MMF’s Environment and Climate Change Portfolio has been mandated to engage with our Elders and Youth to explore how the rapidly changing climate is affecting our Citizens and Villages, while promoting climate change education and awareness for Youth through land-based education events.

Through the MMF’s programming, this provides an opportunity to bridge the generational divide between the traditional practices of Red River Métis Elders and the adaptive and innovative perspectives of Red River Métis Youth to ensure that together, the Red River Métis rights are upheld, and that the environment is protected.

The Red River Métis Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program integrates western science with Traditional Knowledge, to collect and monitor climate and environmental changes across our National Homeland. With Red River Métis Citizen Scientists as the primary data collectors, the MMF provides training and equipment for various kinds of environmental monitoring, to ensure capacity building within the Regions and knowledge sharing opportunities for Red River Métis Citizens. Current programming under the Métis Community-Based Monitoring Network include the Wetland Monitoring Program, Waterway Monitoring Program, and Winter Monitoring Program. With more to come!

The MMF Weather Keepers Initiative is also included within the Red River Métis Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program, which provides Red River Métis Citizens the opportunity to maintain an Automated Meteorological Station on their property that provides real-time climate data for their Local.

The Red River Métis Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program hosts and participates in many Citizen Science events throughout the year, including the Monarch Monitoring Blitz, Christmas Bird Count, Great Backyard Bird Count, nature walks, birding walks, bumble bee monitoring, bat monitoring, capacity building workshops, and more!