Gathering 1: September 5, 2019

Gathering one was focused on bringing all individuals together, with food, introductions, and research information. Prior to the first session, all participants were told of the research purpose and process details thus, the first session was focused on acquiring informed consent and beginning the research inquiry in an ethical manner. As seen in the Figure 1, there were four Elders engaged in the process, two Piikani Elders, Reg and Rose Crowshoe, one Michif Elder, Edmee Comstock, and one Michif speaker, Grahams Andrews. To begin the research inquiry process as a whole, we sat in a circle, with Reg and Rose facilitating the circle, and Edmee and Graham in the circle for cultural guidance. Before beginning, I offered tobacco to both Edmee and Graham, too which they accepted to contribute to the inquiry. Smudge was lit, prayer brought us all into the circle, and we began the journey together. Introductions were articulated as we went around the circle, all of us sharing our familial names, connections, and homeland, while discovering, unsurprisingly, that some of us are related. After the circle was completed, we moved to the tables that were set up in a large rectangular fashion. We joined in a meal together while I described, in detail, the research and consent form information. With consent completed, Reg opened the discussion portion of the evening with teachings of natural and absolute laws, the importance of language, and the he will be supporting the research process. We ended our evening with the contribution of the Métis kin adding any thoughts, the selection of dates, and a farewell until next time.