Programs & Services
At Chard Métis, we are committed to building strong, equitable, and resilient communities through education and skill development. Whether you are new to the workforce, an experienced professional looking to up-skill, or someone looking for personal or professional development, Chard Métis has something for you.
Explore our programs and discover the opportunities that await you. Join our community and become part of a vibrant and supportive network of Indigenous adults committed to achieving their goals.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of our generous sponsors who have made our programs possible. Their contributions allow us to continue to offer free or low-cost opportunities to our members looking to improve their lives.
Christmas Hampers
We would like to thank all of our sponsors for helping us with the 2022 Christmas Hamper Program. We were able to assist the community in way of Hampers with Christmas meals, as well as gifts for all community members. Everyone was very grateful and appreciative.
The Chard Métis are pleased to have supported several important community events and programs for our members and our community. Through the resources from our partnerships and the support from industry partners, we are able to make a positive impact within our community.
Chard Métis was proud to announce the launch of our community counseling program in January 2022. Our partners, Willow Tree Counselling Services, will be confidentially managing the program. They are the team managing the email counselling@chardmetis.com.
Our goal is to have this program staffed exclusively by Indigenous counselors.
Please CLICK HERE for more information. This program is sponsored by MEG Energy.
Education
The Chard Métis sponsored our students for multiple field trips and health and wellness camps. We understand that travel outside of the community is quite costly, especially for large households, and we have helped to alleviate some of the financial strains for our families.
We are proud to announce that our member Randall Lacombe graduated from RCMP training in Regina, Saskatchewan, and has begun his career in his first posting in Vancouver, British Columbia. This has been a lifelong dream of Randall’s and we were elated to be able to help him complete this goal.
Firewood & Road Clearing
The firewood delivery program was successful once again, and this is the third year we funded this program. Wood had been provided by various operators in the region, through local labourers. Any members’ homes relying on wood heat in winter were supplied, as was access to elders’ driveways after the heavy snowfalls. This is a critical service to several families in Janvier/Chard, made possible through the support of our energy partners. We ask that all energy partners involved in any clearing activities to think of our community as a recipient of any non-merchantable timber.
Health
The Chard Métis have continued to help support its members with costs associated with medical and dental travel that requires leaving the community. Our organization is dedicated to assisting the people of our community, especially when it comes to their health. We currently have one medical van that helps community members with transport to Fort McMurray.
Home Repair Program
This Home Repair Program is primarily funded through the revenue from our corporate entities CMD and CMDGC. Homelessness and disrepair of homes still remains as one of our community’s largest issues as we believe that our youth need a safe and reliable home base to help them reach their potential. Though home repair resources remained scarce in 2019, due to the lack of economic activity in the are we were still able to complete home repairs for our members in need, and we will continue to prioritize safe homes for our people.
Indigenous Housing Initiative
In 2021, we launched the Indigenous Housing Initiative in collaboration with Cenovus. The Initiative aims to address one of the most pressing issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada – the lack of adequate housing that is forcing many families to live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions.
Chard Métis was identified as one of the impacted communities to participate in the initiative. With the funding, Chard Métis plans to build 10 homes over the next five years.
Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage
We are pleased to have participated in the annual Lac St. Anne Pilgrimage 2019. This is an annual tradition for our People, and a wonderful cultural experience! Our members look forward to being able to attend this three-day annual event. The site of the annual Lac St, Anne Pilgrimage is one of the most unique and memorable spiritual Gatherings in North America. The Chard Métis supported our members by helping cover travel costs, and provided each of our respected Elders with honorariums.
Members also completed the Construction and Trades Readiness Program through Portage College. The students completed eight weeks of academic upgrading, including safety tickets and PPE. They also did 16 weeks of hands-on construction of a greenhouse.
Chard Métis has also assisted numerous members with attaining safety training and tickets required for employment. We were also able to provide available funding to four members pursuing their post-secondary education.
In 2022 and 2021, we helped members with their financial tuitions and look forward to the achievement of each of their programs. Chard looks forward to continuing our Education Program so that our youth may benefit and be successful in life.