MCS Directors
Dana Lynn Seaborn, President
Dana Lynn was one of the founding forces to develop Metis services and programs for the South Island. She had a vision for an agency to serve Metis children and families and carried that vision forward from a small office in the View Street "Save the World" building, to the present Metis Community Services Agency. Her background combines a university degree (B.A., Ed/Psych) with experience as a counsellor, music therapist, and administrator. She was honoured by BC's Lieutenant Governor for her commitment and leadership in the Metis community. In her role as Director of Cultural Planning, Dana Lynn provided cultural presentations to many locations, including Victoria Folkfest, University of Victoria (School of Social Work, History Department and English Department), Victoria & Region High Schools, Elementary Schools and the Red River West Metis Festival. She also developed a library of Metis cultural and historical materials, as well as a Metis Activity Booklet for children. The Booklet includes varied historical and cultural illustrations, activities and informational vignettes.
Frank Lewis
I was born of Métis parents in Winnipeg and spent part of my childhood in Tyndall, Manitoba. At the age of thirteen I came to Victoria where I graduated from Oak Bay High School. After three years of training at Vancouver School of Art I went to Toronto to become an illustrator for major studios, winning many graphic awards in Toronto , Montreal and New York. After ten years I returned to Vancouver to freelance for CBC and various advertising agencies.
During Canada's centennial year I acted in "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe" with Chief Dan George and Frances Hyland. We were the first performance at the new National Art Centre in Ottawa. During that year I painted a boxcar mural that toured North America. It brought me great publicity and enjoyment. It began my mural career. I have since painted over 40 murals around the world. I painted the first two murals for Chemainus. This was followed by The Commonwealth Games in Victoria, the Canadian High Commission in Malaysia, The Maritime Museum in Vancouver, two huge murals on the Galloping Goose Trail and my latest, the 150th Anniversary Mural in Victoria.
Proud to be Métis!
Ronald MacIsaac
Raised in the Metis community of Prince Albert, Ron knew about his Aboriginal ancestry from a young age. A lawyer with a reputation for community advocacy, Ron serves as Past-President of the Board of the Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition, and served on the board of the Together Against Poverty Society. Ron is a widely published scholar and author. He is co-author of The Devil of Decourcey Island, a regional bestseller about the Brother X11 cult, and author of The Clayoquot Mass Trials.
Fran Baker, Elder
write up forth coming.
Robert Donahue, Executive Director
A Lac Ste. Anne Métis, Robert is one of the founding directors of Métis Community Services. He is the great-grandson of Jean Baptiste Belcourt and Cecile Calliou. His grandfather, Gabriel Belcourt accepted scrip in 1885 ending his Treaty status. His maternal ancestors include Nancy Courtorielle, daughter of Kesketawkuy, (Louis Courtorielle), the legendary buffalo hunter. He is a father and grandfather.