MNO Grand River Métis Council Offers Workshops on Self-Defence and Baking
On June 16 and 17 Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Grand River Métis Council (GRMC) offered workshops on self-defence and diabetic baking.
Women’s Representative for MNO GRMC Colleen Brunelle organized two days of workshops with Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Métis Liaison Cpl. Cheryle Hayden in partnership with MNO Family Wellness Co-ordinator Sam Cressman.
The workshops were chosen by citizens through a social media poll using a host of potential training subjects offered by Cpl. Hayden.
During the Women’s Self-Defence and Personal Safety workshop, participants had the opportunity to learn how to protect themselves in the event of a physical confrontation. Participants ranged in age from eight years old to seniors as people of all physical fitness levels were welcomed.
Women were educated in the basic techniques to disable an attacker. The focus was on taking advantage of the time and space needed to make a quick escape. Participants also shared that their new-found knowledge empowered them to feel less anxious in certain situations moving forward.
The second workshop, Healthy Choices and Diabetic Tips, was offered to help those living in the community with diabetes and pre-diabetes to understand baking with sugar substitutes and healthy alternatives. This hands-on workshop involved baking in the kitchen and a copy of the Healthy Bites recipe.
The MNO Grand River Métis Council would like to thank Cpl. Hayden and MNO Family Wellness Coordinator Sam Cressman in assisting us to offer these learning opportunities in such a fun and engaging way.
Healthy Bites ~ courtesy Cpl. Cheryle Hayden
Ingredients:
4 ripe bananas
1 cup quick oats
½ cup sugar free chocolate chips
3 heaping tbsps. natural chunky peanut butter
½ cup diced dates
½ cup unsweetened Craisins cranberries
½ cup large flake unsweetened coconut
1/3 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
¼ cup pea protein
¼ cup chia seed
Directions:
Mix it all together, roll into balls and flatten slightly. Place on cookie sheet lightly coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes. This recipe makes about 15 pieces.