|
|
|
| MNC Retreat with Federal Minister Andy Scott |
 |
| Front row (l-r): Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Interlocutors Office Sue Barnes; Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians Andy Scott; MMF Senator Ed Head; MNC President Clemént Chartier; MNC Youth Council Chairperson Jennifer Brown. Back row (l-r) Interim President MPCBC Bruce Dumont; MMF President David Chartrand; MN-S President Duane RSpokesperson Métis Womens Secretariat Rosemarie McPhersonoth; MNC Vice President Audrey Poitras; |
For one entire business day, the leadership of the Métis National Council held the full and undivided attention of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Andy Scott, who is also the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). The daylong Winnipeg retreat focussed specifically on Métis issues.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Office of the Federal Interlocutor, Sue Barnes, INAC Deputy Minister Michael Horrigan, and several other upper-level players on the federal government’s team of Aboriginal affairs specialists accompanied Minister Scott to the retreat. The Minister began by reaffirming a commitment made by the Prime Minister at the Canada Aboriginal People’s Roundtable in April saying, “This government is committed to closing the gap between Aboriginal Canadians and the mainstream population.”
The tightly planned agenda covered issues ranging from the implications of the Powley decision on Métis harvesting rights, to the inefficiencies of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
Métis National Council President Clemént Chartier began with an historical and political overview of the Métis in a statement that underlined the importance of recognizing the unique qualities of the Métis culture as being separate and distinct from other Aboriginal peoples. Chartier remarked ardently, “Never again are we going to put ourselves in a position where we can get lost in the larger Aboriginal population. The Métis National Council is vehemently opposed to the pan-Aboriginal government approach to delivering programs and services to the Métis… we remain emphatic that we be dealt with as a Nation.”
Jason Madden, General Counsel for MNC, presented the Minister with an overview of the Métis National Councils current litigation strategy ,which included an historical review of events leading up to the Powley decision from the Supreme Court of Canada in September 2003. “14 levels of court agreed with the Métis… Powley means that the longstanding federal legal position vis a vis the Métis has been fundamentally wrong.”
 With the Government of Canada, by talking about issues specific to each of the provinces. MNC Vice President Audrey Poitras offered the Minister some insight on the history of the Métis Nation of Alberta. “Ours is the oldest Métis organization in the country and when it was formed more than 76 years ago, the Founding Fathers came together to improve the lives of all Métis in the province. So, when the MNC puts forward a proposal to the federal government to build on the nation to nation relationship, we are certainly including all Métis in Alberta,” said Poitras.
Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) President David Chartrand spoke in frank terms about the shortcomings of Canada’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) that acknowledges organisations outside of the Métis Nation that claim to represent the socio-economic issues of rights bearing Métis. “When bureaucrats look at the how to deliver services to Métis people, they end up knocking on other doors instead of ours. I encourage the Minister to send a strong message to your officials to acknowledge that we represent the Métis and it isn’t up to the government bureaucrats to decide who represents the Métis.” MMF President Chartrand referred to the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Strategy as an excellent model of successful program delivery through the Métis Nation. “When you look at the capacities for service delivery that we have developed within the Métis Nation, I challenge anyone to try to duplicate the capacity we’ve built with the limited resources we’ve been given,” said Chartrand.
Minister Scott agreed, saying, “I look around and am encouraged by how much you can get done with so little.” In response to the inefficiencies of the “one-size-fits-all” approach to the resolution of Aboriginal issues, Scott said, “I’m not buying into this pan- Aboriginal thing at all. I understand the differences and the different needs among the Aboriginal peoples as well as the need for Métis specific approaches.”
"Today was an excellent opportunity to gain insight, share ideas, and exchange thoughts. It will ensure strong links and a solid working relationship not only between political representatives, but also with officials throughout our organizations. After these discussions, it is clear that we share a common resolve and we are entering a "new era" of partnership,” said Minister Scott. |
|
|
 |
|
»
|
Telephone (780)455-2200 Toll-Free Alberta (800)252-7553 Fax
(780)452-8946
100-11738 Kingsway Ave, Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5
|
|
