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| Mourning Stan (Butch) Plante |
Métis Nation of Alberta Mourns the Death of a Nation Builder Stan (Butch) Plante
(Edmonton) 03 Jan 05- On behalf of the Métis Nation of Alberta, President Audrey Poitras extends the Nation’s deepest condolences to the family of Stan (Butch) Plante, who passed away recently in Edmonton, Alberta.
“This is a very difficult announcement for me to make and I do it with a great deal of sadness. Butch Plante was one of the well-known and most respected members of the Métis Nation of Alberta. He was a community minded Nation builder and a true nationalist who believed strongly in the betterment of Métis people and Métis rights.”
Butch was the founding President of Métis Local 1885 in Edmonton from 1984 to 1988 and was instrumental in developing major initiatives in the areas of child welfare, education, economic development, historical and archival documentation. President Poitras says, “ The concept behind Métis Child and Family Services came from Butch Plante and a small group of people who saw a need in the community and then took action. Since then, hundreds of families across the province have received assistance through MCFS.”
As the former President of MNA Region IV from 1990 to 1993, Butch promoted the Métis Nation to our members, to the federal and provincial governments, the private sector and the general public. Poitras describes Butch Plante as a man of intellect and reason, “He was devoted to learning, gathering knowledge, preserving the Metis history, and re-establishing the Métis Homeland. He believed so strongly in the importance of understanding our own Métis history that he helped to build the Louis Riel Historical Society.”
Dedication to the Métis Nation came naturally to Butch, his sense of conviction and determination was never forced, nor was it feigned. His articulate and unwavering belief in Riel’s vision of the Métis Homeland put him in the media forefront when he stood up for Riel in a live broadcast debate against former university professor, Thomas Flanagan. Butch won.
Métis National Council President Clemént Chartier, a long-time friend and colleague, says “Butch made a great contribution toward the thought and development of rebuilding the Métis Nation and was a key player during the 1980’s in the re-establishment of the Métis Nation Homeland. He always came to the table with ideas, enthusiasm, and encouragement. He supported the creation of the Métis National Council and believed strongly in the development of a Métis Nation Constitution.”
Long time friend and fellow conspirator of ideas, Robert Lee, describes Butch as a man “whose greatest romance was in the politics of Nation building, with integrity and honesty as his passion. He had a down-to-earth focus on the community that went hand in hand with his nationalist heart. Butch truly believed in the Métis Nation Homeland and all that it represents.”
In 2003, during the 75th Annual Assembly in Edmonton, Butch received a prestigious award from the Métis Nation of Alberta, which was bestowed upon Elders and community minded Métis who were instrumental in building the MNA. President Poitras says, “His sense of identity was certain and the integrity of his convictions were always sound and fair.” |
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Telephone (780)455-2200 Toll-Free Alberta (800)252-7553 Fax
(780)452-8946
100-11738 Kingsway Ave, Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5
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