Public Statement – A Chapter Closes

Tracey G serves as the President of the Fraser Valley Métis Association (FVMA), bringing a wealth of experience, heart, and deep commitment to community. Before being elected, she served as Interim Director at Large, where she had the honour of listening, learning, and walking alongside community members during a time of change and reflection.

Guided by her Métis roots that trace back to the Red River Valley in the late 1700s, Tracey’s journey has been one of reconnection and pride. Though she didn’t grow up naming it “Métis,” her family’s way of life—filled with community gatherings, music, food, and kinship—was deeply rooted in culture. Reclaiming that identity has strengthened her resolve to help others find belonging and pride in their heritage.

A mother, grandmother, and long-time public servant, Tracey has served in diverse roles, including as a Community Integration Specialist in Abbotsford, as well as in the Navy, corrections, and foster care. These experiences have shaped her belief that true leadership means showing up with integrity, listening deeply, and lifting others up.

As President, Tracey is dedicated to fostering a strong, accountable, and culturally grounded FVMA. She envisions a future where every member feels connected, valued, and proud of their Métis identity—a future built on healing, trust, and shared purpose.

With respect and hope, Tracey continues to lead FVMA forward—strengthening identity, culture, and community every step of the way.

Tarina Colledge serves as the Vice President of the Fraser Valley Métis Association, dedicated to strengthening community connection, governance, and cultural continuity for future generations. A proud descendant of the Red River Métis, Tarina’s ancestry traces through generations of families who helped shape the early Métis Nation in the heart of Rupert’s Land.

Her grandfather Robert Thomas Smith, was son of Thomas Ashton Smith of St. Eustache, Manitoba, and grandson of Marie-Rose Morrissette. Marie-Rose was the daughter of François Morrissette of the Hudson’s Bay Company in the St. Charles & St. Boniface areas, whose mother, Philomène Favel, descended from John James Favel and Isabelle Elizabeth Short of St. François Xavier in the historic Red River Settlement. From there, Tarina’s roots extend to Thomas Favell and Sarah Pa-Sa Trout, and to her distant ancestors Titameg Whitefish Savagasse who was married to John Humphrey Favel Jr.—families deeply woven into the early fur trade and Métis homelands along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. She and her husband have 3 sons: 1 adult and 2 teenagers. 

Tarina is a Disaster & Emergency Management professional who has dedicated her career to advancing community preparedness and resiliency. She has served in leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as the BC Association of Emergency Managers, and the Canadian Disaster and Emergency Management Core Competency Working Group, championing collaboration and capacity-building across Canada’s Disaster & Emergency management field.

Tarina is a policy nerd with an odd passion for systems thinking and aims to apply this interest and skillset to increase effective governance of the FVMA so that our members have a voice in shaping their collective future. Guided by the values of kinship, reciprocity, and service, she strives to honour her ancestors by fostering unity, resilience, and cultural pride among today’s Métis community.

Tarina is honoured to serve the citizens in our catchment and to carry forward the enduring spirit of her Red River ancestors.

Jen proudly serves the FVMA community as the Secretary and Privacy Officer. Since she began serving the FVMA in April 2025, first as Interim Director, later as Secretary, she has helped with governance, policy implementation, member management, website administration, outreach, graphic design, social media, event planning and more. 

Born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba, Jen moved to Abbotsford BC in 2019. She is a dedicated mother of four and spends countless hours volunteering and singing in a Barbershop Chorus since March 2020. She mentors Indigenous students, creates acrylic paintings, digital art, arts and crafts and manages several websites, groups and pages. 

She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba with a Major in Computer Science and a Minor in Philosophy. These are subjects that she has been passionate about for most of her adult life, along with Astronomy, Data and other forms of storytelling, as a passionate storyteller herself.

“I have always been surrounded by my Métis family, elders and community, having 3 Métis grandparents, and thousands of relatives. I descend from Jean-Baptiste Lagimodière, grandfather to Louis Riel, but I began to truly understand what being Métis meant as a young adult exploring the Red River area. I took a class in Métis history at the U of M and got seriously interested. I grew up visiting the places and families from those stories. My eyes were opened to my rich ancestral history and Métis culture woven into every aspect of who I am. I’ve been consuming so much Métis history and cultural content ever since.” – Jen S

I was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba. My Métis roots come from my mother’s side.

Our ancestors are Ojibwe. Ojibwe people are part of a larger cultural group, the Anishinaabe.

I have one daughter and four wonderful grandchildren who live in Newfoundland.

I’m thankful for facetime to stay connected until I visit them, though I miss them dearly. I especially miss their day to day lives. My career background was managing the family’s business of commercial printing for many years. Then a huge career change going into health and fitness for women until retiring in 2013.

I reached out to my Métis culture when I moved to BC. I embraced it with pride and was accepted with open arms. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of our Métis Community as President as well as many other positions on the board.

What I’ve learned along my life’s journey so far is to appreciate my Métis culture, keeping it close to my heart so I can pass on things I’ve learned from my Elders and continue to learn. My desire, my aspiration, is to understand and stay connected to my culture. I’d like to contribute with what I’ve learned, to keep learning and give back.

I am forever grateful to listen, learn and share as I walk this path.

Maarsii,

Dawn

Winnipeg-born with Métis roots in St. Norbert, St. Laurent, and the Red River Settlement. Currently writing ancestor biographical sketches. A hobby genealogist for over 20 years. Completed Associate’s degree in Family History Research in 2019. I look forward to assisting those who have questions regarding membership or genealogy.

Danielle has served the FVMA from April 2025 as an Interim Director and, now as a  Director. She has been an invaluable asset and always brings an emotional intelligence and wisdom that guides our meetings in the best way. She has helped immensely in event planning, inventory management, outreach and being a strong advocate for our women and youth as a long-time and very engaged member of the FVMA community.

Aiden began serving as Director of the FVMA in September 2025. He is an enthusiastic, inquisitive, and outspoken advocate for youth and Métis community as a whole. He plays the fiddle, sings proudly and always shows up as his authentic self. Aiden is a truly valued member of the FVMA Board.

Fergus has served as an Interim Director of the FVMA since April 2025 and was later elected as Director. He has played a vital role in governance, administration, event planning, board prioritization and so much more. Fergus has recently moved to our community from Chilliwack and has been active in our community for many years as a Jigging Instructor. He embodies Métis culture with pride.

Justin began his role as Director for FVMA in September 2025. He leads with his heart and speaks with wisdom. He has been an active member of FVMA for many years and is very proud of his Métis heritage. The energy he brings to the Board of Directors is inspiring and he has begun this role in a very proactive, sensitive and mature manner, spearheading our first event since our election in September 2025. We can’t wait to see what new ideas he has for the future!