Dissidents Sabotage Alberta-MNA Framework Agreement

A press release came out of the Métis Nation of Alberta yesterday that clearly identifies the latest action of Clem and David’s puppets in Alberta.

Press Release
Attention News Editors

Dissidents Sabotage Alberta-MNA Framework Agreement

Edmonton, AB (March 28, 2008) – A Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Provincial Council conference call that was held on March 27 to consider ratification of the Framework Agreement between the Province of Alberta and the MNA had to be suspended because seven dissenting members of Provincial Council refused to make themselves available for the meeting, resulting in an inability to reach quorum.

Over $500,000 in core funding for the MNA head office is at stake through the Alberta-MNA Framework Agreement for 2007-08. Although the Premier of Alberta and the President of the MNA signed the seven-year Framework Agreement last year based on previous Agreements dating back to the 1980’s, the Department of Justice and Aboriginal Relations has taken the position that the Agreement must be ratified by the MNA Provincial Council before it will agree to flow core funding to the MNA Head Office.

“Regrettably, since April 2007, these same seven Council members have attempted to obstruct the normal business functions of the MNA, and all efforts to have the Council approve the Agreement have failed,” MNA President Audrey Poitras said.

In a letter dated March 20, 2008, the Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, the new Minister of Aboriginal Relations, requested that the MNA once again attempt to ratify the Agreement by March 27 or “these funds will lapse and I will have to return these funds to the General Revenue Fund.”

“This was our last chance to have the Framework Agreement ratified,” explained President Poitras. “All members of Provincial Council were notified five days before the meeting that there would be a conference call to review the ratification of the Framework Agreement. But the seven dissenting members of Provincial Council did not call in.”

After it became apparent that there were seven absentees, President Poitras then tried to reach each absentee herself on their home or cellular phones. Not one answered her call. President Poitras is calling on the department of Aboriginal Relations to reconsider its position in light of the irresponsible actions taken by the seven members of Provincial Council.

“The benefits to the Métis community generally should not be lost because a few people want to play politics,” she said. “We must find a way to avoid having seven people sabotage funding the province has agreed to make available to the Métis people living in Alberta.”

The MNA Provincial Council members who participated in the call were Provincial President Audrey Poitras; Region 2 President Karen Collins; Region 2 Vice President Homer Poitras; Region 3 President Marlene Lanz; Region 4 President Cecil Bellrose; Region 6 President Sylvia Johnson; and Region 6 Vice President Louis Bellrose.

Those who did not call in and were unreachable at the time of the call were: Provincial Vice President Trevor Gladue; Region 1 President Ken Bourque; Region 1 Vice President Rick Boucher; Region 3 Vice President Joe Chodzicki; Region 4 Vice President Tim Collins; Region 5 President Bev New; and Region 5 Vice President Elmer Gullion.

For additional information contact:
Marilyn Underschultz
Ph: (780) 455-2200

To access the press release and the letter from the new Minister go to the following website:

http://www.metis.org/getdoc/d345a54a-f6a1-491f-ae94-3e36824785fe/Dissidents-Sabotage-Alberta-MNA-Framework-Agreemen.aspx