Métis Community Services Society of BC
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Thursday, 19 March 2009 00:00 |
|
Métis Community Services Society of BC Request for Qualifications
Board Member Recruitment
The Métis Community Services Society of British Columbia is a not-for-profit, Aboriginal community based, charitable organisation that has been endorsed by the Métis Nation of British Columbia and the Métis Community Associations in seven centres in the Thompson and Okanagan Valleys. We currently have offices in five of the seven centres. Our team currently includes people who are: Métis, Inuit, and First Nations, as well as those of European descent. As a team we have multiple cultural competencies and consider culturally safe practices (individual client-centred cultural competency) as the best way to honour and respect the client’s cultural needs.
We are currently seeking qualified individuals who are interested in serving on a visionary volunteer Board of Directors for a three year term. The Board adheres to the Carver Model of governance and currently meets quarterly in addition to the Annual General Meeting.
The qualifications we are requesting include: - Self-declared Métis heritage, Provincial Métis Citizenship preferred
- Accepted by the local Métis Chartered Community
- Not currently involved in any Métis political organisation
- Not related to current Board Members or staff at Métis Community Services Society of BC
- Professional standing in your local community
- Willing and able to attend Board meetings in person or via teleconference
- Access to a confidential working email address that can accept attachments
We are particularly seeking applicants living in the North Okanagan (Vernon to Salmon Arm), and the South Okanagan (Summerland to Osoyoos and Keremeos) as we are expanding to these areas. Applicants living in the Central Okanagan (Lake Country to Peachland) are also strongly encouraged to submit their qualifications to enhance our influence in this area.
Please send a letter stating how you meet our qualifications, along with your curriculum vitae for consideration. Your information will be kept strictly confidential within the confines of the current Board of Directors and the Regional Executive Director.
Contact Information:
Fax: 250-868-0359
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://mcsbc.org
Mail: Board of Directors
Personal and Confidential
Métis Community Services Society of BC
2949 Pandosy Street
Kelowna BC V1Y 1W1
|
|
Last Updated on Friday, 27 March 2009 19:06 |
|
|
Mission, Vision and Values |
 |
 |
 |
|
Mandate, Mission Statement, Vision and Values Métis Community Services Society of BC is a non-profit Society that is recognized and empowered by Métis citizens in British Columbia to provide holistic services that ensure the health and well being of the Métis community. Métis Community Services Society of BC will promote the health and well being of the Métis community by increasing cultural awareness to the communities in British Columbia, which reflects our unique heritage. Métis Community Services Society of BC will promote the health and well being of the Métis community by honoring and supporting the importance of a healthy family environment in the delivery of holistic programs and services. Métis Community Services Society of BC will promote the health and well being of the Métis community by encouraging stronger relationships among Métis Elders and our youth and our families and our community. Vision Métis Community Services Society of BC will promote the health and well being of the Métis community by increasing cultural awareness to the communities in British Columbia, which reflects our unique heritage. Métis Community Services Society of BC will promote the health and well being of the Métis community by honoring and supporting the importance of a healthy family environment in the delivery of holistic programs and services. Métis Community Services Society of BC will promote the health and well being of the Métis community by encouraging stronger relationships among Métis Elders and our youth and our families and our community. Values We believe in honoring our Métis culture and in fostering pride in our history. We believe in focusing in on family strengths knowing that there are many resources and much knowledge within our Métis families. We believe in working professionally, confidentially, and respectfully with our clients, practicing ethically at all times. We believe in creating a safe and nurturing environment in which people will be open to change and growth. We believe when you heal a child you heal a family, when you heal a family you heal a community, when you heal a community you heal a Nation. |
MÉTIS PROCLAMATION Defining Who We Are We are Métis, with roots and rights that extend 9,000 years into this continent.
We are neither First Nations nor Inuit, nor are we European immigrants to this land, instead we are the middle-ground between camps; the compromise between differences and; the dawn that separates night and day.
We are not half-breeds, but the children born of a marriage between two very different worlds. Our right and our purpose is to strengthen the voice of justice and bend the arm of greed, whose hand has taken far too much from the mouths of the meek.
The very duality of our heritage appoint us, and no other, to the task of mediating between the new and ancient ways, that we might be the People to strike a chord of lasting harmony amidst the mounting chaos of nations.
The essence of our uniquely diverse culture is Harmony, or in the moment of our conception there was union. The birth of the Métis Nation signifies the undeniable powers of those possessed of tolerance and the gentle spirit of compromise. The birthright of our people is to mediate on behalf of justice and common good for both our parent strains, and bring forth a means of governance that protects and prospers all who would be unjustly treated.
To be Métis is to be blessed with the best fruit of not one, but two family trees. We are not "half" of anything but doubled.
Being twice blessed, we are likewise proud, strong and determined. By: Terry St. Amant |
|
|
Although we have had "Okanagan" as part of our corporate identity since 2003, it was not until mid-2008 that we were made aware (unofficially), that the Okanagan Nation Alliance saw the name "Okanagan" not as a geographical reference, but as part of "Okanagan Métis" as there were no historical references to a Métis land base in the Okanagan Valley.
Out of respect for Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, and the collective Chiefs of the Okanagan Nations Alliance, we undertook the steps and the expense to change our name to drop the word "Okanagan" from our name. It had never been our intent to insult the Okanagan people, their Knowledge Keepers, the traditional stewards of the land or their political leaders.
While we were changing our name, we decided to take a look at our long term plans for satellite offices, as we have had requests for direct service outside of the Okanagan valley, therefore it made sense to us to include "of BC", so our new name for the foreseeable future, is: Métis Community Services Society of BC Kelly Kubik is still at the helm of the organisation as the Regional Executive Director, guided by a dedicated Board of Directors and responsive to the needs of the Métis community where ever we have offices. We have a new name (formally Okanagan Métis Community Services Society) but are still located at the same offices. Our Regional Head Office is on the second floor at 2949 Pandosy, Kelowna, the Penticton office is 212 Main Street, and the Vernon office is on 29th Across from the First Nations Friendship Centre.
More offices and services opening in 2009. |
The paternal ancestors of the Métis were the former employees of the Hudson's Bay and Northwest Fur Companies, and their maternal ancestors were Indian women of various tribes. The French word, “Métis" is derived from the Latin participle mixtus, which means “mixed"; in French “mele"; it expresses well the idea that is sought to be conveyed. However appropriate the corresponding English expression “Halfbreed" might have been for the first generation of the mixture of blood, now that European blood and Indian blood are mixed in every degree, it is no longer general enough. The French word “Met" expresses the idea of this mixture in the most satisfactory manner possible, and thus becomes a proper race name. Why should we care to what degree exactly of mixture we possess European blood and Indian blood? If we feel ever so little gratitude and filial love toward one or the other, do they not constrain us to say: “We are Métis!"
~ Statement by Louis Riel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
|
