User:Spcml12/Lorraine Freeman

Lorraine Mary Freeman (January 02, 1954 – Dec 02, 2005) was a notable researcher, author, and activist on Métis culture and history and a leader of the Métis community of Manitoba.

Early life
Lorraine Mary Freeman, originally Lorraine Mary McTavish, was born in Minnedosa, Manitoba, on January 2, 1954. Freeman grew up in a family of seven, with parents Delmer Kenneth McTavish and Reta Coutts, and four siblings: Sam Ronald McTavish, Dodie Patricia Gaudry, Janie Delma Green, and Robert Coutts. Freeman's Mother, Reta Coutts, was influential in her aim to instill Metis pride in Freeman and her siblings.

Personal life
Lorraine Freeman married E. Keith Freeman, who would remain her husband for 33 years until her death in 2005. Freeman had three children throughout these years: Jennifer Lynn, Jacqueline Marie and Keith Tyler.

Career
Freeman was one of the founding board members of the Métis Resource Centre, Inc. and served as executive director from its inception until her illness caused her to step down. The MRC went on to create a Métis genealogical service in 1997 and open a store called Métis Traders in 1998.

Freeman also served as Co-Chair of the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Métis Women of Manitoba Organization (MWM).

Throughout her career, Freeman gave presentations on Métis culture in schools and other interest groups across Manitoba.

In the later years of her career, Freeman wrote monthly articles for a small newspaper on Métis news, culture, and history. She chose subjects for these articles by traveling around Manitoba to learn from different Métis communities while also covering her own hometown.

Legacy
On November 19, 2005, Freeman was awarded with the "Order of the Shawl" for her work. Attendees of the event praised her for helping to foster great pride in their Métis heritage through the many projects that she led in her life. Her contributions frequently highlighted traditional Métis dance, music, beadwork, and history.

Publications
Some of her notable publications include:


 * Métis Summer
 * A Metis Suite, video exploring Metis history and culture through traditional music; meant for educational purposes
 * La Lawng: Michif Peekishkwewin: The Canadian Michif Language Dictionary
 * The Dances of the Metis: Li swans di Michif
 * MRC Newsletter Buffalo Tales and Trails
 * MRC brochure Sur le Sentier de Métis