Métis Jiggers
A group of energetic youth have formed The North Cariboo Métis Jiggers, which is open to youths of all ages and is a free program to join. The jiggers have made performances at The Bluegrass Festival, The Quesnel Fall Fair, Métis Days, Aboriginal Days, for The Old Time Fiddlers, and other local functions. Caroline, from Caroline’s Custom Sewing designed our matching outfits.
If you like what you see in our photos and want more information about the Métis Jiggers, please contact our office to find out when they practice.
The Métis Jiggers are currently being funded by The Métis Provincial Council of BC and The Heritage Canada Foundation.
Environmental Youth Team
The Environmental Youth Team (E-Team) was a successful training program for youths between the ages of 16 and 24. It was funded by BC Parks and the local Forestry office, who were partners with us for 6 years. The youths cleaned and mainteaned the local forestry campgrounds and also received training in first aid, bear awareness, fire supression, and whimis.
The program was designed to allow youths that had fallen between the cracks in the system a chance to get some work experience and get some training so they could go on to become productive members of the workforce. It was very successful program until it became the target of funding cuts from the current government.
In 2002 we were able to continue the program with funding from the Metis Provincial Council training initiatives in Region 5. We partnered with Argo Road Maintenance, Weldwood of Canada, and Sequoia Contracting in 2002, but we do not know if we will be having any programs of this sort in 2003 as we have no confirmation of funding, however, we are still making an effort.
Cottonwood Watershed Project
In the Fall of 2001 and the Spring of 2002, we took on a project which connected an off channel-rearing pond to the Cottonwood River allowing trapped fish to enter the mainstream.
The project increased awareness within the local community of the importance of fish habitat and the potential impacts from mining operations. By involving the local community in the project it gave them “ownership” of the enhancement work, and improving the success for the future projects of this nature. Local E-team youths assisted in the project, helping them to build environmental ethics and increased their interest and experience in fishery related issues.
The project was a success and final work was finished in the Spring of 2002. The NCMA believes that by becoming involved in the restoration and protection of the wtershed we are taking an active part in our heritage as well as creating a healthy environment for future generations.
This project was done with the help of partners being the Cariboo Chilcotin Fish Enhancement Society, BC Hydro, and The North Cariboo Métis Association. Paval Zak’s abandoned placer pond was chosen as the most feasible location for this project. Robert Mills, the main local contractor, as well as many other local contractors, biologists, and technicians from BC Hydro and the Fisheries And Oceans Canada helped with the project.
