Métis women gathering: visiting together and voicing wellness for ourselves

Given the limited research by Métis women, and with Métis women, this article focuses on the impact of Métis women gathering for the purpose of sharing Métis women’s knowledge. The aim of our research is to learn Métis women’s perspectives, specifically the ways in which gathering and visiting together affects our wellness. The geographical focus was specific to kinship systems along the South Saskatchewan river, near St. Louis, Saskatchewan. This land/river place was chosen given our shared family connections to this area. We applied Métis-specific research methodologies, epistemologies, and pedagogies, including the importance of gathering with Métis women in our homes and on our land. Our community-engaged and visiting methodology included mixed-methods, such as participant engagement, evaluation forms, ceremony, gatherings, semi-structured interviews, and learning-by-doing. The research demonstrates that through Métis women visiting, gathering, and sharing Métis women’s cultural and spiritual knowledge, Métis women experienced a greater sense of wellness. The findings focus on key themes, including (a) Importance of Métis women gathering together; (b) Visiting is changing; (c) Learning-by-doing and kinship; (d) Métis women’s gatherings, community, and wellness; (e) Métis-specific spaces to share stories; and (f) Pride in Métis women’s identity.