Archive for November, 2025

A Chapter Closes

Posted by Tarina Colledge

Public Statement – A Chapter Closes

The Fraser Valley Métis Association Board has issued a public statement to address recent misinformation and reaffirm our commitment to accountability and community respect.

Two independent financial reviews have confirmed that all FVMA funds are fully accounted for, and no evidence of theft, loss, or misappropriation exists within the organization.

We are moving forward with renewed focus on good governance, respectful communication, and community healing. Together, we are rebuilding trust and nurturing Wesahkoteeweenowuk – the regrowth that rises after hardship.

Read the full statement here: FVMA Public Statement – 2025-11-09

Holiday Cheer & Support 2025

Posted by FVMA

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it can also be stressful or challenging for some. To help our community make the most of this season, we’ve put together a guide featuring free or affordable resources and festivities primarily local to FVMA Boundaries (Abbotsford, Matsqui, Mission, Dewdney & Aldergrove). Our goal is to support well-being, connection, and celebration for everyone.

Please note: we do not officially endorse any of the organizations listed. This information is provided solely as a helpful resource and for informational purposes and may not be up to date, complete, error free or in any particular order.

🍳 Food & Home Resources

Abbotsford Christmas Bureau

https://abbotsfordfoodbank.com/christmas-bureau/

Accepting applications until November 22, 2025

Mission Christmas Bureau

https://missioncommunityservices.com/programs/community-programs/christmas-bureau/

Accepting applications until December 1, 2025

Salvation Army Meal Centre

https://www.centreofhope.net/what-we-do/the-meal-centre/

The Meal Centre provides 300 nutritious meals per day seven days a week to anyone that is hungry.

7 days per week 12noon – 1pm.

Blue Bus – Lifeline

https://www.lifelineoutreach.org/bus-schedule/

Hot Meal, Groceries, Food

Starting at 3:30 and until supplies run out

Nov 16 Open Abbotsford

Nov 23 Open Aldergrove

Nov 30 Open Abbotsford

Dec 07 Open Aldergrove

Dec 14 Open Abbotsford

Dec 21 Open Aldergrove

Dec 28 Closed

Jan 04 Open Aldergrove

Abbotsford

3:30 at 33933 Gladys Avenue, Abbotsford BC

(Back parking lot of new MCC building)

Aldergrove

3:30 pm at 2978 272nd street – 272nd and Fraser Highway (parking lot behind fibromyalgia thrift store)

♥️ Mental Health & Care Resources

Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support
Website: https://www.abbotsfordhospice.org/resources
Phone 604-852-2456

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Website: https://988.ca/
Phone: 988

Personalized Health Assistance
Website: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/healthlink-bc-8-1-1-services
Phone: 811

Foundry (for youth 12-24 & caregivers)
Website: https://www.foundrybc.ca
Phone: 1-833-308-6379 (for virtual services)

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
Website: https://www.keltymentalhealth.ca Kelty Mental Health
Phone (Greater Vancouver): 604-875-2084
Toll-free in BC: 1-800-665-1822 Kelty Mental Health

Kids Help Phone
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca Kids Help Phone
Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (24 / 7) Kids Help Phone

BC Children’s Hospital (Mental Health & Substance Use Services)
Website: https://www.bcchildrens.ca BC Children’s Hospital
Phone (General): 604-875-2345
Toll-free: 1-888-300-3088 BC Children’s Hospital

Here to Help BC (mental health information line)
Website: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca Here to Help
Phone (Support/Referrals): 310-6789
Phone (Lower Mainland): 604-669-7600 or toll-free 1-800-661-2121
Here to Help

🎅 Holiday Events

🎅 Lights On Centennial🎅

Saturday, November 15, 2025
6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Centennial Park Tree Lighting Event
More Info

🎆 Winter Jubilee 🎆

Saturday, November 22, 2025
3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Downtown Abbotsford, BC
More Info

🎅 Santa in the Country 🎅

Sunday, November 23, 2025
11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Glenda’s Christmas Cottage
Admission: FREE!
More Info

🍳 Toys for Tots Christmas Brunch 🍳

Sunday, November 23, 2025
10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre, Abbotsford
Admission: Free (please bring a new toy or donation for the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau)
Enjoy live entertainment, brunch, and a visit from Santa!
More Info

💡 Light Up the Hall 💡

Friday, November 28, 2025
6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
6418 Mt. Lehman Rd, Corner of Taylor & Mt. Lehman Roads, Abbotsford, BC
Admission: Free
Facebook Event

🎅 Christmas in the Commons 🎅

Saturday, December 6, 2025
10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
35011 Old Clayburn Road, inside Abbotsford Christian School
Featuring a visit from Santa and other festive activities!
More Info

🕯️Mission Candlelight Parade🕯️

Saturday, December 6th, 2025
3:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Mission, BC: First Ave/Lougheed Hwy from Horne westbound to Haig through Downtown Mission. The parade route will be closed to all eastbound and westbound traffic from.
More Info

🎶 Winter Harmonies 2025 🎶

Saturday, December 6, 2025
7:30 – 10:00 P.M.
Entry by Donation
Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford, BC
Facebook Event

🕯️Aldergrove Parade🕯️

Saturday, December 13th, 2025
6:00 P.M.
Downtown Aldergrove
More Info

💚 Photos With The Grinch 💚

Saturday, December 13, 2025 — 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 — 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Thursday, December 18, 2025 — 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pets welcome at this session!)
Downtown Open Space
More Info

🎄General Festivities

🎄 Downtown Abbotsford – Have a Ball🎄

 Downtown Abbotsford Events Directory
Wednesday, November 26 to Tuesday, December 23, 2025

 More Info

🎄 Go Abbotsford 🎄

 Events Directory

 More Info

🎄 **Christmas at H & A Ross Farm – “The Enchanted North Pole” 🎄

Sunday, November 16 to Tuesday, December 24, 2025
30151 Downes Road, Abbotsford, BC
Admission: All-ages event; recent pricing indicates approx. $17.31 for general admission.More Info
Features: Jingle-Bell hayrides, Christmas market, Santa’s workshop, Bunny Petting Zoo, Starlight Lane walk. Kids Out and About Vancouver

🎄 Christmas at Abbotsford 🎄

Saturday, November 22, 2025 to Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Abbotsford Estate, Abbotsford, BC (home of Sir Walter Scott)
Admission details: Tickets are required for the seasonal “Christmas at Abbotsford” events — pricing not yet posted.
General opening times: House & gardens are open daily 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. (last entry 4:00 P.M.). Scott’s Abbotsford

🛍️ Holiday Markets

🛞 Louis Riel Day 🛞

Saturday, November 14, 2025
10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Free Entry for Métis, paid parking in effect, featuring Métis artisans and FVMA
23433 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley, BC
More Info

🛍️ 2025 Mill Lake Christmas Market 🛍️

Friday, November 14, 2025 — 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Saturday, November 15, 2025 — 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Free Entry
33218 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford, BC
Facebook Event

🛍️ Dewdney Elementary Christmas Market 🛍️

 Sunday, November 16, 2025 — 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Free Entry
Dewdney Elementary School, 37151 Hawkins Pickle Road, Mission, BC
More Info

✨ Mennonite Heritage Museum Christmas Market ✨

Tuesday, November 18 to Saturday, November 22, 2025
10:00 AM to 4:00 P.M.
Admission: $2.00
More info

❄️ Margaret Stenersen Winter Market ❄️

Friday, November 28, 2025
5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
3060 Old Clayburn Rd, Abbotsford, BC
Facebook Event

🎁 Craft Collective Market: Christmas Edition 🎁

 Saturday, December 13, 2025
10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Free Entry
Downtown Open Space, 110-33765 Essendene Avenue, Abbotsford, BC

Meet Your Board of Directors

Posted by FVMA
   

Introducing Your Board of Directors FVMA Community

President - Tracey G

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.

Vice President - Tarina C

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.

Secretary/ Privacy - Jen S

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

Treasurer - Dawn J

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

Membership Director - Peggy H

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.

Matriarch Director - Danielle H

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.

Youth Director - Aiden C

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.

Director - Fergus D

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.

Director - Justin A

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!