The Mamawi Project: Celebrating Together Series
Celebrating Samson LaMontagne
Where are you from?
Ohci niya Regina, Saskatchewan.
As a Métis person how do you walk in a way that honours your responsibilities to our nation, other Indigenous communities, the land and waters?
Tan’si kiya wow nitotimak, Samson LaMontagne nisihkason! How are you doing my friends, my name is Samson LaMontagne. I grew up in Regina surrounded by a very supportive family. My parents Tony and Carol LaMontagne had a major influence on my life. They enrolled my sister Suzanne and Myself at Ecole St. Mary which is a French Immersion School situated right beside our church Holy Trinity. My mother really inspired me to be a positive role model and to ‘treat others how you would like to be treated’. My faith and language skills have helped me become a leader in my profession and within my community. I also have my beautiful wife Shan LaMontagne and her family to thank for helping me with wanting to learn more, my nisis Jack (father in law) and nisikos Lorna (mother in law) both fluent Nehiyaw speakers have encouraged me to share my gift of language. I must also give a shout-out to Lii Michif Vyeu ekwa Lii Vyay that have helped me throughout my learning journey, marrsi! My goal as a life long learner is to learn more Indigenous languages and continue to bring people together!
What medicines do you carry that have helped you on your path?
I graduated from the SUNTEP Program and then started teaching at L’kwal St Michael (a Métis focused school) in Saskatoon. I have always tried to incorporate Métis Education within my lesson plans and my specialty is teaching Michif to my students. This past year I helped lead a Core Michif Program at l’kwal St. Michael. It was very successful and now we have a combination of Core Michif (grades 1–8) and a Full-Day Michif Bilingual Kindergarten Program starting at our school this fall (free busing for anyone interested). I also help support teachers throughout the GSCS Division by helping them build up their Métis Cultural Competency through Co-Teaching Opportunities. I attend St. Guadalupe Church in Saskatoon and I practice smudging every morning. Spirituality is a big part of my life and I appreciate the relationship I have with the Creator! Marrsi Manito!
Anything else that you’d like to share with us?
I have a beautiful daughter Mila! She helps keep me grounded and focused on what is really important in life! So take care of your health, your families and your friends! Marrsi nitotimak ekwa m’wistas!
