Manitoba Metis Federation

Board Member of The Pas Region – Darrel Ferland

Darrel was born in Swan River, MB on January 13, 1970 to Isabel Chamberlain and George Ferland. Darrel Ferland is the youngest of 5 brothers and 4 sisters. He attended school in Barrows, MB up to Grade 8, while living in Barrows Darrel played hockey in Mafeking, MB. After finishing school in Barrows, he went to high school in Swan River where he finished grade 12, with a major in marketing.

While going to school in Swan River he played hockey for the Swan Valley Stampeders for 4 years. The off-season didn't apply to Darrel, during the summer he played baseball for the Swan Valley Junior Merchants. The team represented Manitoba 4 years in a row in the Western Canada playoffs. In 1988, he was named to the Canadian all star team, as all Canadian third-baseman. After school, Darrel started work as a logger and commercial fisherman.

His first daughter, Darrelyne was born in 1993; she now lives in The Pas with her mother. In 1999 Darrel married Jenifer Leask of Dawson Bay. They moved to Red Deer Lake where he fishes commercially and raises a little herd of cattle. They have 3 children, Gavin (9) Mackenzie (8) and Kaden (4).

In August of 2003 Darrel was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (C.M.L) and on January 13, 2006 had a bone marrow transplant, it was a tough time in Darrel's life, but to this date he is still cancer free.

Mr. Ferland is the president of Red Deer Lake fisherman association, sits on the School Committee for Barrows as vice chair and also represents the school as the Area Advisory Representative. Darrel was chairperson for the Red Deer Lake Local for the past 4 years, and does fund raising for these committees.

Darrel enjoys hockey, baseball, hunting, fishing, camping and traveling with his family during their sporting activities.

He also enjoys learning about Métis Heritage and Culture and hopes to get the younger generations involved in activities to promote all things Metis and will do my best as a Board of Director for The Pas Region.

He also hopes to get the younger generations involved in activities to promote Metis heritage and culture, and will do his best as a Board of Director for The Pas Region.