MNA President Encourages Alberta Métis To Get Out And Vote In Upcoming Provincial Election

Edmonton, AB (February 28, 2008) – Today, Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) released the responses received from Alberta’s political parties on Métis issues and encouraged Métis citizens from throughout the province to make their voices heard in the provincial election scheduled for March 3. 

In early February 2008, the MNA President wrote to the leaders of Alberta’s political parties requesting responses to a series of questions relating to issues of importance to the Métis Nation, including, Métis self-government, harvesting rights, Crown consultation with Métis, education and housing. As of February 28, responses were received from the Progressive Conservative Party, and the Alberta Liberal Party.  Copies of the responses have been posted to the MNA website at www.albertametis.com as well as distributed to Métis throughout the province through the MNA’s communications network.  Any additional responses received will be posted to the website and distributed.

“The Métis people have played a fundamentally important role in Alberta’s history and development, but we must play an equally important role in Alberta’s future,” President Poitras said. “In provincial elections, we have the opportunity to make the Métis voice count in order to shape that future.  I encourage all Métis youth, women, men and Elders to read the various political parties’ platforms and positions on Métis issues and ask your local candidates questions on Métis issues in order to make an informed choice on March 3.”

The Métis are one of Canada’s three constitutionally recognized Aboriginal peoples, with their own distinct language, culture and way of life. The Alberta Métis population is the largest Métis population in Canada, with over 85,000 Métis citizens identifying in the 2006 Census.  Since 1928, the MNA has represented the collective interests of the Métis people in Alberta.  Today, Métis live, work, and, pay taxes, in hamlets, villages, towns and cities across the province.

Progressive Conservative Party response 

Alberta Liberal Party response