Will Goodon

Apparently there is a big storm coming in to southwest Manitoba this weekend. Turtle Mountain Metis Local has decided to postpone their fish derby at Lake Metigoshe. With that, the Polar Plunge is also postponed. Darn it all, I wanted to jump in cold lake water 🥶

At the @nhljets game tonight supporting @wasacnews. Lots of great Indigenous entertainment, community & leadership here. Thanks @kevinchief for all you do!

Almost forgot. Check out the thank you gift from École St. Eustache! The little painted hunter has some ducks 🦆

The recognition of Premier Louis Riel Jr this past Monday (Louis Riel Day) was a day that you just knew is going to be in the history books. Here’s a few more pics from the day.

This past Friday I spent the entire morning at École St. Eustache reading with several classes from Grade 1 to 6. I had a super fun time & was able to read some very cool & educational books. I know I learned some new things.(No pics with children per privacy rules)

We lost one of the biggest smiles in the Turtle Mountain today. Donald Racine always treated me in the best way. Poacher filled every room he walked into and his door was always open. His sudden departure will leave a big hole in our Métis community. Take care, my cuzzin.

This group is proud to be Red River Métis and it not only shows through in their words but in their music. Let’s help support them to get to Halifax to represent the true Métis Nation! 2/2

I am so proud to support this band - the Red River Ramblers - as they have been NOMINATED FOR A JUNO AWARD!!!!

On March 22 in Halifax, they will be in attendance as nominees for Traditional Indigenous artist or group of the year. 1/2

President Chartrand enjoyed his afternoon though we couldn’t get him on the dance floor 😊. Not to mention Brad Moggie on the fiddle playing for the Norman Chief Memorial Damcers and the Kinew Youth Steppers. Great job, St. Eustache! 2/2

Just a great day to be in St. Eustache today. This proud Métis community always does things right and today’s Louis Riel celebration was fantastic. Jam packed hall, pancake breakfast, bannock on a stick, and chili and stew. 1/2

I’ve heard that Turtle Mountain Métis Local put on a great Louis Riel Day event at their facilities by Dromore Lake. Great job, everyone! So sorry I wasn’t able to attend as I was on the other side of the region in St. Eustache.

Warm welcome from my friend, VP Judy Mayer, for the opening ceremonies for the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival in The Pas today.

A great conversation at Brandon University at lunch today on Indigenous Identity Theft from a Métis Perspective. Thanks Nicole for organizing and the invite. The Boulettes were fantastic and the questions were right on point. And the beaded slingshot pendant? OMG I love it, thank you!

It was a pleasure to speak at the Assiniboine Community College kick off for Infinity week this morning. Our topic is very timely as we chatted about Indigenous identity theft from a Métis perspective. Thanks for those who came out and participated.

No duck jokes unfortunately. I did try out a spider 🕸️🕷️ joke 😜

Thanks Skhyler for saving me with your funny jokes!

And thank you Interlake for this signed Team Kerri Einarson Red River Métis broom! 2/2

Up & at’em early to drive to Gimli for the MMF Interlake regional meeting today, getting to hang out with some cool folks & chair this meeting on behalf of the regional executive. 1/2

President Joe Biden was in a meeting today when I stopped by the White House. And you know me, I had to take a couple of pics, sign an executive order, call a couple foreign leaders and lead a press conference. All in all, a pretty good day.

3 US Senators speaking at the NAIHC conference today including Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Vice Chair of the Senate committee on Indian Affairs. Housing is an issue everywhere - affordability, needed repairs, Elder & family housing, safety. We are all facing similar challenges.

The Mmf Portage Local Louis Riel Day is always packed with fun and talent. Check this out: Johnny Dietrich, Darren Lavallee, Eric Nash, Edgar Desjarlais & the Métis Prairie Steppers! And so much more! Monday February 19 from Noon to 3:30.

Got my selfie with United States Treasurer Lynn Malerba during a break this morning. We talked housing & hockey - her daughter married a Canadian from SK & her granddaughter is an Oilers fan. Now listening to Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto D-NV, Senate committee for Indian Affairs.

The St. Eustache MMF Local ALWAYS hosts great events. If you are anywhere near this awesome Métis community, drop in for a while or for the whole day. You won’t be sorry and you may get a chance to throw an axe or cook some bannock on a stick. Make sure it’s cooked all the way through!

You KNOW this is gonna be a fun time at Turtle Mountain & Dromore Lake. Let’s celebrate the legacy of President Louis Riel Jr and our Red River Métis culture on Sunday February 18th!

I’ve already met a cousin from Montana who is from the Little Shell Tribe 😁

Listening to the Treasurer of the United States, Chief Lynn Malerba at the moment. 2/2

Day 2 of the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) legislative assembly in Washington DC. Networking with American cousins on best practices, new technologies, & ways of working for our people. 1/2

Being a Hockey Dad for one day in Grand Forks ND at the Ralph means taking pictures. I’m learning though - not yelling at the refs or calling penalty shots or offsides. Improving one day at a time. @huntergoodon scored a nice goal, gotta brag a bit.

Ok. The Polar Plunge fundraiser for the MMF Turtle Mountain Local is rescheduled. March 3rd at Lake Metigoshe in the Turtle Mountains. I will be jumping in the lake (likely pushed) in support of these fine folks and all the work they do for our Métis families in this community. Pledges are needed!

Just wrapping up a meeting with @manitobamuseum and Indigenous Elders & leaders on the emotional topic of ancestors remains in custody. Special thanks to the Elder who kept the balance and the respective aims of the group. This is a first step and I hope to be included moving forward.

Thanks to Mayor Gillingham for the invite to the #Winnipeg150 kickoff today at City Hall. Fun to chat with friends from the past, today and future. Congratulations Winnipeg!

A couple days late. I had a great evening emceeing the event at Bistro on Notre Dame where MMF Employment & Training partnered with Red River Polytech, FESA & the Bistro to launch a training program for Red River in culinary arts. Great to see Minister Cable, Oliver Boulette & so many others!