Red River Métis on Ice: EIRM hosts On the Ice Event

February 10, 2026

The MMF is bringing Citizens together this winter through EIRM programming

_{Young Red River Métis Citizens huddled around to learn how to set up their rig for ice fishing.}

There's no better way to spend a Saturday than on the ice with your fellow Red River Métis.

Ranging from two-year-old tots to grandparents and Elders, Citizens of all ages hit the ice this Saturday at Energy, Infrastructure, and Resource Management's (EIRM) On the Ice event to share culture, traditional knowledge, environmental observations, and the joy of ice fishing.

"Anytime we have the opportunity to get together with our Citizens in the Region, it's a big plus for us," said Mona Buors, executive representative of the Interlake Region and Minister of Métis Child & Family Services. "It's so important to learn about the climate, environment, endangered species, [and] ice safety for the children."

Minister Buors acknowledged the incredible staff that put on the event.

"(EIRM) has excellent staff," she said. "I'm really proud to welcome such activities in our Region."

Red River Métis Citizen Bev Webb was proud to see Red River Métis families come out to the Interlake Region, a Region known for its fishing.

"I like being with my [Red River] Métis family; this is my family," said Webb. "I love to see the new faces, to meet new people, and try some of the events... I love to see the variety in age; I love to see that our young people are being more involved. The biggest reason I like to come is [to be] with my daughter and granddaughter... doing [ice fishing] together as a family with the different generations, so that hopefully they will keep it going."

Activities included storytelling, snowshoeing, learning about ice fishing, safety, and winter environmental monitoring, all while flexing their ice fishing skills by competing for the biggest catch.

Red River Métis prize winners were:

• Ben Klymochko, who took home the prize for biggest fish: 10" Sauger.
• Caleb Klymochko, who took home the prize for smallest fish: 8" Walleye.
• Ben Klymochko, who took home the prize for first catch of the day: 10" Sauger.
• Tyson Marynowski, who took home the Ice Crawl prize; Marynowski's distance was so great, it couldn't be measured.

Amy Klymochko, a school-age Red River Métis Youth, had a hard time picking which part of the day was her favourite.

"I liked everything," said Klymochko. "My dad caught the first fish and my brother caught the smallest fish of the day."

The Citizen's favourite event was snowshoeing.

"It was the most fun out of all of them for me," she said.

_{Talented EIRM staff gave an engaging presentation to Red River Métis Youth on hydro power.}

Ninety-two Red River Métis Citizens, including six Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) Ministers, joined the MMF's EIRM Department to gather on Lake Winnipeg in Hecla, MB on February 7; they were brought together by the joy of Red River Métis culture.

"[We're] learning lots of new things and meeting lots of new people that I'd never get to meet," said Red River Métis Citizen William McIvor. "[These events] mean a tremendous amount."

McIvor said these types of activities are important for Red River Métis Youth.

"To get them out there and get them away from the new electronic stuff, [but] also [give them] the understanding of why and how we do these things," he said. "I hope we can see more of this."

EIRM's Stewards of the Homeland and Métis Environmental Leaders of Tomorrow (MELT) initiatives, along with other EIRM programs, worked as a team to put on this incredible event.

[MELT] is teaching [Youth] about the environment and climate change... we need to start teaching our Youth how to understand it. - Marielle Gauthier, Minister of Environment & Climate Change.

EIRM's Red River Métis Stewards of the Homeland Program works to conserve, protect, and restore the National Homeland of the Red River Métis for generations to come.

Staff from the MELT program were present at the event to ensure that Youth stay at the forefront of environmental impacts in the Homeland. MELT works on the creation and implementation of land-based learning events for Red River Métis Youth.

"[MELT] is teaching [Youth] about the environment and climate change... we need to start teaching our Youth how to understand it," said Marielle Gauthier, Minister of Environment & Climate Change.

The MMF offers a variety of outdoor activities for Youth through the portfolio, including ice fishing and water monitoring.

"We also have Elders and parents coming up; it gets everyone together," said Minister Gauthier. "We do [land-based] activities all year round."

It's events like this that bring together Red River Métis Citizens to focus on the collective goal of environmental conservation of our Homeland, while having some good old fashioned Red River Métis fun.

Don't miss the next event! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and keep an eye on the regularly updated MMF events page to know what is happening in your Region. If you're interested in learning more about MELT and how you can get involved, visit the EIRM webpage.

 

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