MembroMichifCulture

The library is a collection of books, government documents, archival material, personal journals/correspondence and other materials that are related to Metis culture and history in Canada. Much of the collection has been donated by Senator Chalifoux and other community members.

For access to the collection please visit the Michif Cultural and Resource Institute at Juneau House, Home of the Michif Cultural and Resource Institute at
9 Mission Ave, St. Albert, Alberta.

The Michif Resource Centre was established in 1991 as a non-profit organization. In 2002 the Michif Cultural and Resource Institute was established by Senator Thelma Chalifoux and like-minded associates in the Metis community to preserve and celebrate their Metis history and culture.

The Institute has set out the following objectives:
- To establish a Metis Museum
- To research Metis history
- To compile a genealogical library of Metis families
- To compile a pictorial inventory of Metis history, culture and people
- To establish a Metis Sash registry
- To preserve and sustain the Michif language
- To provide resources for Metis development
- To conduct workshops on Metis history, culture and value systems

Today the Institute consists of a small museum located in St. Alberta which is one of the first established Metis settled towns in Alberta and has proudly named several of their streets, parks and schools after several prominent Metis people. As a show of the communities support, the city of St. Albert has donated the use of Juneau House, the oldest residential house in the city, as a location for the museum.

The establishment of the venue was made possible by the Senator’s donation of archival material and equipment from her St.Albert office after her retirement. Senator Chalifoux's generosity has inspired many from the Metis community (and others) to donate an extensive array of artifacts related to the history of the Metis people in St.Albert and beyond, as well as numerous artworks from Senator's personal collection and other contributors.

Beyond the museum, the Institute has built a collection of archival and library resources concerning Metis history through grants and the generous donations of community members.