Today, September 19, marks Powley Day — a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey of Indigenous rights and recognition in Canada. This day commemorates the 2003 Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Powley, which affirmed that the Métis are a distinct Indigenous people with constitutionally protected harvesting rights. For the Métis Nation and for all of us who work toward reconciliation, Powley Day is more than a legal milestone; it is a celebration of survival, culture, and belonging.
At Grandmother’s Voice, we lift up the stories of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. While our work often focuses on Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and other First Nations communities in Southern Ontario, we recognize that the Métis Nation is equally rooted in this land and in our shared responsibility to uphold Indigenous rights. Powley Day invites us to reflect on what recognition really means — and how far we still have to go.
The Métis people emerged from the relationships between First Nations women and European fur traders — primarily French and Scottish — during the 18th and 19th centuries. Over generations, the Métis developed their own languages (Michif and Bungi), governance systems, spiritual practices, and cultural traditions. They became a vibrant nation with strong communities along the Red River and across the Prairies, the Great Lakes, and the Northwest.
For much of Canadian history, the Métis were written out of official narratives. They were denied status, their lands were confiscated, and their political rights were suppressed — including after the Red River Resistance (1869–70) and the Northwest Resistance (1885), where Métis leaders such as Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont fought for their people’s autonomy. Despite these hardships, the Métis Nation endured, holding onto their culture, land-based practices, and kinship systems.
On September 19, 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada handed down its decision in R. v. Powley. The case arose from charges laid against Steve and Roddy Powley, two Métis hunters in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, who harvested a moose without a provincial license but argued they were exercising their inherent Métis harvesting rights.
The Court ruled unanimously in their favour, recognizing that the Métis are a distinct Indigenous people under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. This landmark decision established a legal test for identifying Métis rights-bearing communities and affirmed that Métis harvesting rights are not merely symbolic but grounded in historic practice, community continuity, and living culture.
Powley was a breakthrough moment because it dismantled the false notion that the Métis were somehow “less Indigenous” or “less entitled” to their rights than First Nations or Inuit peoples. It shifted the legal and political landscape and paved the way for further negotiations, self-government agreements, and resource-sharing arrangements between the Métis Nation and federal and provincial governments.
For Grandmother’s Voice, Powley Day resonates with our core mission: to create spaces where Indigenous teachings, rights, and leadership can thrive in urban and rural settings alike. The Supreme Court’s recognition of Métis harvesting rights underscores a truth we hold dear — that land, food, and cultural practices are inseparable from Indigenous identity.
Our work with food sovereignty, healing circles, and land-based learning echoes the same principles affirmed in Powley: the right of Indigenous peoples to sustain their cultures, govern their practices, and teach the next generation without interference. Métis, First Nations, and Inuit communities are distinct, but their struggles for recognition share a common thread — the need to restore relationships to land and law that colonial systems tried to erase.
Powley Day also challenges non-Indigenous Canadians to move beyond token acknowledgments. Recognition is not simply about legal victories; it is about creating real pathways for Indigenous self-determination, economic participation, and cultural resurgence. That means supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, respecting treaty and harvesting rights, and ensuring that policies and programs are co-created with Indigenous nations rather than imposed upon them.
As we honour Powley Day, Grandmother’s Voice stands in solidarity with the Métis Nation. We celebrate their resilience, their leadership, and their contributions to the rich fabric of Indigenous life in Canada. We also acknowledge that recognition, while vital, is only one step. True reconciliation requires ongoing commitment — to listening, learning, and acting in ways that uphold Indigenous sovereignty.
This September 19, let us remember that Powley Day is not just a Métis holiday. It is a national call to respect Indigenous rights, to restore relationships with the land, and to honour the vibrant cultures that continue to thrive despite centuries of colonial suppression. It is a chance for all of us to recommit ourselves to reconciliation rooted in justice, healing, and shared responsibility.
Together, we can ensure that the legacy of Powley Day lives not just in the courts, but in our communities, our classrooms, and our hearts.
Presented by Samantha Doxtater
Presented by GRANDMA RENEE
In a world seeking direction, Indigenous teachings offer clear and enduring policies for how to live in harmony with one another and the Earth. This workshop invites participants to explore the profound lessons of the Two Row Wampum Belt and other wampum belts as frameworks for mutual respect, environmental care, and collective well-being. These belts, created long before colonization, embody ancestral agreements that guide humanity on how to coexist with honor, dignity, and reciprocity.
Led by Grandmother Renee, this session emphasizes the importance of relearning and honoring the policies established by our ancestors, rather than creating new paths disconnected from this wisdom. Through the teachings of the belts, participants will uncover the principles of self-care, stewardship of the land, and respect for all beings. This is not about inventing something new—it is about rediscovering the instructions that were always there and committing to uphold them.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will be reminded that the wisdom of the belts is not only a guide for Indigenous communities but a path for all of humanity to walk together in respect and care for one another and the Earth.
Presented by Grandma Gail and Angela DeMontigny
Ceremony is more than tradition—it is a deliberate practice rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and foresight. This workshop explores the “science of ceremony” as a guide to living with intention and accountability for the next seven generations. Our ancestors used ceremony to prepare for the future, ensuring that their actions would benefit not only their own time but also those yet to come. Now, it is our responsibility to carry that practice forward.
Led by Grandmother Gail, this session will examine what has been lost and the actions we must take to restore, respect, and reclaim the ceremonial practices that ensure the well-being of future generations. Participants will be encouraged to reconnect with ceremony as a means of healing, reflection, and renewal, building a foundation of responsibility to guide us in restoring balance and harmony.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will rediscover the transformative power of ceremony as a pathway to healing, accountability, and preparation for a sustainable and harmonious future. Together, we will reaffirm our responsibility to the generations to come.
Presented by Asha Frost
Join Asha Frost, an Indigenous healer, teacher, and bestselling author, for a transformative workshop rooted in traditional teachings and the power of self-discovery. Asha’s work often centers on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, embracing one’s authentic self, and creating pathways for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots, she weaves stories, teachings, and practical tools to inspire participants to reclaim their power and align with their purpose.
Through her signature blend of traditional healing practices and modern insights, Asha guides participants in understanding how to honor their own journey, navigate challenges with resilience, and embrace the interconnectedness of all beings. This workshop is an invitation to explore the sacred within and around us, fostering personal growth and collective transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you are seeking personal healing, professional inspiration, or a deeper connection to traditional wisdom, this session with Asha Frost promises to be a profound and enriching experience.
Presented by Allen Sutherland
The Seven Fires prophecy, as shared by seven prophets across different time periods, offers profound guidance for humanity’s path forward. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, these teachings speak to the choices we face when the world has been polluted, and the waters turned bitter by disrespect. The prophecy teaches that humanity must choose between materialism and spirituality—one path leading to survival and the other to destruction.
In this workshop, Mishoomis Allen will guide participants through the teachings of the Seven Fires prophecy, exploring its relevance in today’s world and its call for spiritual renewal. Additionally, he will share his Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline, providing a broader context for understanding the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of these teachings.
Key Takeaways:
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on humanity’s collective responsibility and the transformative power of choosing a spiritual path for the survival of future generations.
Presented by Thohahoken Michael Doxtater
In this session, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater explores the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonial policies on Indigenous communities and the historical journey toward Truth and Reconciliation. He examines the systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity, from residential schools to the suppression of cultural practices, and highlights Indigenous resilience and legal resistance. The presentation also delves into the concept of the “Canada Rafter,” a historical agreement acknowledging Canada’s adoption into the Indigenous Longhouse, raising the question: Has Canada truly upheld its responsibilities in this relationship?
