ABOUT FVMA

Welcome Métis friends and family, to the online home of the Fraser Valley Métis Association.

We hope that you will find comfort and a great sense of community within all that the FVMA offers. 

After such a long break from face-to-face gatherings, we look forward to meeting with each and every one of you in the near future.

Please keep in touch (Contact FVMA) and come back soon for more updates (FVMA News & Events).

About Métis People

The Métis Nation emerged on the plains of the historic Northwest during the late 18th and early 19th century. Successive generations of mixed First Nations and Europeans married within the mixed-Aboriginal community, eventually this community was no longer seen as European (Fur Trade centric) nor as First Nations. Rather this community became seen as a distinct peoples and Nation with our own clothing style, language, music, political determination, and societal organization. Because of this distinction, Métis are among the three Aboriginal peoples recognized by Section 35 of the Canadian constitution act of 1982. As Métis, we trace our lineage back to historically identified Métis communities that originated in the historic Northwest well before Canada became Canada.

MEET THE BOARD

Oshâwisôniyâwô Mik'sôwak (He is Golden Eagle) | UnKie Pixie Wells

President
Director Of Housing
2SLGBTQQIA+ Representative
Read Bio

Kelly Penner

Vice President

Read Bio

Vanessa Fleury

Director Of Education & Secretary

Read Bio

Brodie Douglas

Director of Culture & History
Read Bio

Justin Alenius

Interim Director
Read Bio


Oshâwisôniyâwô Mik'sôwak - UnKie Pixie

President, Director Of Housing, 2SLGBTQQIA+ Representative

My Métis heritage comes from my Father’s side, and so does my humour. I grew up in the Fraser Valley on the traditional and unceded territories of the Stó:lō (People of the river) and Invermere BC, on the northwestern shore of Windermere Lake where my Father’s family settled. I’m also a proud 2SLGBTQQIA+, Two-Spirited person and have been on a few boards throughout my life. I enjoy being able to serve our community by exploring safe and sustainable housing options for Indigenous People. 

Kelly Penner

Vice President

Taanishi / Hello My name is Kelly Penner and I am a direct descendant of the historical Métis Red River settlement. I was born in Mission, BC located between the Kwantlen and Leq’a:mel First Nations and I am honoured to live, work and play on the traditional and unceded territories of the Leq’a:mel, Semá:th (Sumas) and Mathexwi (Matsqui) of the Coast Salish First Nations.

Having been raised without knowing my Métis heritage, culture or traditions created confusion and hindered my sense of belonging. I could not understand or explain the deep sense of connection I have with Mother Earth until I began learning of my Indigenous ancestry as a young adult. During my university studies I learned that scientific knowledge and my personal experiences strengthened my understanding of traditional knowledge and that I have the choice to heal myself and this land.

As a Certified Horticulturist and an Artist, I’m highly passionate about our ecosystems and various forms of artistic expressions, especially music. I hope to help others feel welcome and I am eager to participate in continuing to build a resilient community where we can Learn, Engage, and Connect.

Vanessa Fleury

Director Of Education

Tansi, Hello! My name is Vanessa Fleury, I was born in Saskatchewan, raised in Alberta, moved to BC when I was 15 and now live and work in Abbotsford, BC. I am the proud and honoured granddaughter of Rose Blanche Fleury. She was well known in the Saskatchewan Métis community and was recognized several times by the Gabriel Dumont Institute. She was the Matriarch of our family, the Métis Knowledge Keeper, the Métis Genealogist for Saskatchewan, the 2010 Métis Elder of Canada, one of the 2010 Olympic torch relay bearers and her portrait is displayed in the foyer of the Gabriel Dumont Institute.

I have been happily unmarried for 15 years to Aaron and we have an amazing blended family together with our 3 beautiful daughters. I am a proud Kukom to our 3 grandchildren from our eldest daughter’s blended family. I am honest, to the point, open minded and a big kid at heart who is proud to be Métis.

I am an Indigenous Support Worker with School District #34 in Abbotsford, BC. I went to the University of the Fraser Valley in 2019 and graduated with distinction in 2020 from my Métis Community Support Worker Program. I unfortunately did not get a traditional graduation due to Covid, however my supportive family and village made sure my accomplishment was celebrated and I did get to wear the cap and gown when I did my grad photo shoot. I absolutely LOVE what I do!! I love to share culture, stories, skills, with amazing students who treat me like a rockstar!! I get to support, lift up and encourage our Indigenous youth to be all they can be, something I wish I had growing up. I get to share my story, my history, Canada’s true history and have conversations that truly make a difference. I love that my students also teach me and share their knowledge, their stories with me which again sparks amazing conversations. I am a strong and firm advocate for the children that are our future and we need to educate them with knowledge from our Elders, knowledge of the Land, and knowledge of finding their Inner Gifts that we all possess.

I am here today because one person saw me, acknowledged me, and showed me I wasn’t invisible. My lived life experience is unimaginable and shocking to most who have heard my story, however the trauma I survived has only made me stronger and wiser. I know who I am and I do not let the scars of my past label me or hold me back anymore. We all have our own lived experience, and we should all embrace it as it is part of our journey on this earth, in this world. Live, Love, Laugh is what I live by and have since my healing journey began.

Brody Douglas

Director of Culture & History

Biography to follow

Justin Alenius

Interim Director

Biography to follow