Metis Caravan began as a way to feed my need to give to and help and protect animals in need. I wasn't physically up to that task either so I hoped to give donations instead. Metis Caravan still does that. Proceeds go to charities for animals, for breast cancer survivors, and to fund a Native Circle. In 1986 my mother, Lee Wind co-founded the Guelph Native Women's Circle. The Circle changed and gr
ew over the years until my mother's passing in 2008. It is now the Circle of the 7th Fire.(1) Metis Caravan has produced limited numbers of prints of my mother's artwork to raise funds to keep that friendship Circle alive. Our first Canadian Languages colouring book is available now. The hope is to create many more in a series that could be introduced in public schools as a pre-introduction to French and Ojibwa languages. This is to promote diversity and a desire in our youths to pursue diverse learning, later in their education. All things at Metis Caravan are designed to inspire. People are inspired perhaps to Nativ Studies, perhaps to learn and grow, perhaps to have fun and pretty things around them. Philosophy
As we are all hand crafted work we don't expect to grow much larger and become like Wal-Mart, however we do hope to someday employ some people to sell at different venues and to part time employ youths and people who are new to their Aboriginal heritage to do some of the craft work while learning the traditions. Some things that I feel are important about Metis Caravan are: We try to do a lot of our work from salvage and recycle which helps the environment in so many ways. Especially when we have animal parts involved in our work do we re-use and salvage. I am personally an advocate for animal rights and often make a series of crafts dedicated to giving to foundations who help toward that end.
