Who Are We?
"We had humble beginnings. It started with a small group of interested Métis people wanting to form a local. Glen Hendry, Mother June Hendry, Blake Mainprize, Teresa Burnam, and myself, Bryce Mercredi.
We met monthly over a period of about a year. Glen was the president, and I was the representative for the Island Métis. In 1994 we had a community meeting and elected Audrey Waite as our first President. We became North Island Métis Association and included all communities from Comox Valley to Port Hardy including Powell River.
In 2004 approximately 100 members in the Comox Valley voted in favor of forming our own local community which we called the MIKI’SIW Métis Association. The word MIKI'SIW is Cree for eagle and was chosen by the Board because of its sound, and to stand out as our name, it is always printed in all capitals. The Eagle is a prominent animal in all Indigenous cultures and has many traits, the Plains Cree believe Eagles facilitate communication between men and spirits."
- Bryce Mercredi, Elder
Bryce Mercredi was elected the first president, a position he held until 2018. Originally Powell River was a part of our membership but has since formed their own Chartered Community.
The MIKI'SIW Métis Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, whom are voted in at the Annual General Meeting by our Ordinary Members.
By-Laws of the Association can be found here.
Should any member of MMA wish to attend a board meeting, please call the office at 250. 871.7353 or email comoxvalleymetisoffice@gmail.com
Governance
Tom Adams
President
Chrys Sample
Vice President
Tom has been involved with MIKI'SIW since 2009 and has been president since 20 . He was born in Campbell River and served in the Navy for 25 years. His Métis heritage is Cree/Métis from Manitoba. His Great Grandfather lived in the Red River Settlement. Tom's goal in serving on the board is to be an integral part of a thriving Métis community.
Chrys was first elected to the board as Secretary in 2020. She has since been elected as VP in 2022. She moved to the Comox Valley in 2016 from the Sunshine Coast. She worked at the hospital for 34 years in various positions. She grew up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and her Métis roots go back to the Red River Settlement. Chrys' hope is to help with programs that will benefit our Métis community.
Treasurer
Merry Reynolds
Lauren Dean
Secretary
Candace Thorne
Director
Candace has been a board member since .... She is a project management professional with over 20 years of industry experience. Her heritage is Red River Métis. Community service is important to Candace and she is an active advocate for the Métis community. In 2013 she was awarded the Governor General's Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers for the work she has done on behalf of military families.
Heather Grealey
Director
Our respected Elders, Colleen & Bryce, attend our board meetings and help to guide the Board of Directors as they serve our members and the community.
Colleen Devlin
Bryce Mercredi
Founding Member