Rocky Mountain Metis Association

Rocky Mountain Métis Association envisions a future where Métis people, communities, and children are thriving, connected to their rich Métis culture, heritage, and languages, and recognized as an Indigenous People with inherent Métis rights.

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MÉtis Community in Cranbrook

Rocky Mountain Métis Association is a Chartered Community working with the Métis Nation of British Colombia, the only recognized Métis government in BC. Our Association was created to serve the needs of all our citizens in our designated boundaries. From Kimberley to Jaffray to Creston and Riondel we strive to service our communities needs. This is a non-political site with a heart for growing pride in the Métis culture.

The Métis Nation emerged from within the Métis Nation Homeland during the seventeenth century as a result of the French and English fur trade. At that time, Canada did not exist as a country and the provincial governments we know today in western Canada would not exist for another 200 years.

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As a Métis Nation British Columbia Charter Community, we represent Métis citizens and promote the rights, recognition, priorities and interests of all Métis in our designated area.  We create opportunities for our people, communities, and children to thrive.

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Our mission

As a Métis Nation British Columbia Charter Community, we represent Métis citizens and promote the rights, recognition, priorities and interests of all Métis in our designated area.  We create opportunities for our people, communities, and children to thrive.

Our Vision

Rocky Mountain Métis Association envisions a future where Métis people, communities, and children are thriving, connected to our rich Métis culture, heritage, and languages, and recognized as an Indigenous people with inherent Métis rights.

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RMMA Mission Statement

Rocky Mountain Métis Association envisions a future where Métis people, communities and children are:

  • Thriving
  • Connected to our rich Métis culture, heritage and languages
  • Achieving strong socioeconomic outcomes
  • Recognized as an indigenous people with inherent Métis rights.

Shay Atwood

Community Navigator

Shay was born and raised in Cranbrook BC. Her childhood was filled with lots of love and time spent outdoors. Some of her fondest memories are time spent camping and fishing with her family or spending time in the garden with her Grandparents in PA, Saskatchewan. Shay has always lived in the Kootenays and resides here now. She is very proud to be Metis. Her Metis roots are in the Lindsey District, Saskatchewan, and stem from the Red River Settlement, Manitoba. Her descendants are parents Cindy and Allan Atwood and Grandparents Gordan and Silvia Pocha and Alvin and Beatrice Atwood.  

Shay is honoured to be a Metis Citizen and now works as a Community Navigator for the Rocky Mountain Metis Association here in beautiful Cranbrook BC. She is proud to be a part of the community and knows she is making her Grandparents proud that she has embraced her Metis heritage. Some of Shay’s hobbies include but are not limited to fly tying, making dreamcatchers, looming jewelry, gardening, aquascaping, dirt biking, hiking, fishing, foraging & shopping.

People who know Shay would say she is strong, kind, funny, compassionate, and caring.  She hopes to set roots down in the Kootenays one day but in the meantime will be just living life on life’s terms.

Dan Innes

Board of Directors

Dan was was born in southern Alberta and spent his childhood and adult life in the Kootenays, raising his family in Marysville where he resides today.  His Metis roots are in Batoche, a descendant of Ignace Poitras Sr & Jr, and grandmother Justina Bilyk (nee: Poitras).  He is a father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. His interests are woodworking, metalworking, hunting, fishing, and harvesting in the East and West Kootenays. 

Dan is a Director for RMMA. He is a proud Metis man and MNBC citizen and in his retirement is honoured to support his local on various committees and in service to Metis people and their relations.

Amy Cross

Board of Directors / Interim Secretary

Amy Cross is a Board Director of the Rocky Mountain Métis Association. She is a proud Métis woman, that seamlessly weaves her Métis cultural heritage into every aspect of her life. With over 30 years of experience in the Indigenous field, her heart lies with the Métis people and their rich culture. Amy draws inspiration from Métis Elders like Marie Schoenthal and Jeannette Hansen, both esteemed Métis Elders with national recognition.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Amy connects with nature, infusing her love for the environment into her artistic endeavours. Currently residing in Cranbrook, BC, Amy is married with two children. Her latest passion is
pebble art, culminating in the establishment of her business, “Pebble Art from Nature”.

Suzanne Fiddler

Treasurer

Suzanne was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and spent the majority of her childhood in Kimberley BC and as an adult moved to several other communities in BC, Eventually, Suzanne moved back to Cranbrook in October 2018 to be closer to her family and still resides in Cranbrook. She is a descendent of the founders of the first Metis Nation.

Her ancestors resided at Red River for approximately 60 years. Suzanne’s ancestor, Peter Fidler, surveyed the land before the Selkirk Settlers came to settle in Red River in 1812. She is a descendant of Parentau, Delorme, Normand and Fidler.

Wendy Schneider

Vice-President / Acting Women's Rep

Wendy Schneider has been involved with Rocky Mountain Metis Association since its inception in 1995 and anreven before with other communities. She is a past president of RMMA and also has served as Region 4 women’s Rep. Wendy is currently RMMA’s Vice President and acting women Rep. Wendy is currently learning how to bead but because of her two left feet you will never see her on stage jigging.

Wendy has one grown son and is a foster parent which gives her great joy and sometimes sadness. Wendy loves to travel and has a great love for South America but her favourite place in the whole world is her beach in Nelson where she hopes to retire.

Madilynn Crozier

Vice President

Madilynn Crozier was born and raised in Cranbrook, BC. She grew up not knowing of her Métis heritage until she was 17, where she fully embraced her culture and heritage. Always eager to try new things, she has traveled to Asia, Spain, France, England and most recently Scotland and loves experiencing the vast array of cultures around the world, she is still thrilled to call
Cranbrook her home.

Madilynn is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the RMMA board of directors and looks forward to new opportunities within the Metis Nation of British Columbia.

Jeff-Crozier-Rocky-Mountain-Metis-Association

Jeff Crozier

President

Jeff Crozier is the President of Rocky Mountain Métis Association. Jeff has lived in Cranbrook for 30 years with his wife Dee-Anne and their 3 children. Jeff was in his mid 40’s when he discovered his Metis heritage and since then has taken the time and energy to discover what it means to be Metis. He has a heart to see other Metis stand up and be proud of our rich history and to walk away from the shame that has blanketed many many Métis people. 

Jeff’s family line includes Bellerose, Gladue and Chalifoux. He loves serving RMMA in the capacity of president as it allows him to interact with members of RMMA as well as grants him the privilege of shaping our nation through involvement with the greater Métis Nation of British Columbia.