Spring is in the air – maybe it means better thoughts by our leaders and the Appreciation of the Metis Community People

There are some very good things that appear to be a happening in the land of the Métis – we have some hope.

At the MNBC – there appears to be a comprehensive process of regional meetings throughout British Columbia that has Métis people input from across the province in setting the priorities and direction for the MNBC provincial board. They are up for election this coming September and the newly or re-elected council will have a mandate that has been established by the communities.

In addition, there has been an indicator that they have set meetings with Minister Strahl to move forward with the Métis agenda in B.C.

Also, there is work addressing the issues of Métis Children and Families in BC http://www.mpcbc.bc.ca/pdf/pr_news26.pdf. MNBC is hosting the Métis Children and Family Service Forum to review the current state of Métis Children and Family Development and address the existing delivery of Métis Child and Family Services in relation to the Provincial Government strategy in British Columbia. The ultimate objective is for Métis community leaders and the MNBC Board of Directors is to openly discuss the current MCFD delivery model that considers a strategy that represents Métis community needs and service delivery issues in the area of Métis children and family services.

In Alberta, we received some notes on the progress of issues that relate to the provincial board. There apparently was a provincial council meeting this past Monday and they have now approved the Framework Agreement and all the provincial and federal funding contribution agreements for this fiscal year. We were advised that they even directed the negotiations around a new relationship for Métis Health with the Métis National Council. Rick Boucher has been suspended as per the decision of the Métis Judiciary Council and the decision by Justice Binder where it clearly indicated that he has been a detriment to the Metis Nation. He may chose to appeal the decision of the Alberta Court of Queen’s bench but to date there has been no indicators of the existence or nature of any appeal.

We do not know if things are perfect yet – but what I was advised is that they are talking and dealing with the issues at their Provincial Council meeting. That was certainly more progress then the last meeting in March or the previous one in January. They will now have to work on a plan to mitigate the damages from the loss of last years core funding.

In Saskatchewan, President Doucette has been working with his provincial council to restore the confidence of the Métis people and the provincial and federal government in addressing the past few years of disarray in Saskatchewan. This week in Saskatchewan they participated in a Roundtable Conference on First Nations and Métis Consultation and Accommodation. The news release that came up from the conference is available at: http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/article.php?storyid=9485. The provincial government of Saskatchewan has committed to developing the capacity to have the Métis in Saskatchewan to work on the development of the policies that will have them acknowledged in the Duty to Consult. We have also been told about the council working on the strengthening of their governance structures by engaging regional meetings to begin healing the damages of the past political turmoil.

In Ontario the newly elected Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO), yesterday unanimously endorsed delaying the Métis Nation of Ontario Annual General Assembly (MNO AGA) until the Fall of 2008. http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/article.php?storyid=9518 It sounds like the new council wants to work with the community and strengthen a grassroots approach to building a stronger nation.

We look forward to the common theme that we see beginning in the homeland – where the Duty to Consult – starts with the leaders consulting with Metis communities. There is hope as long as true consultation and work towards the engagement of the community is a part of the movement of the Métis Nation moving forward.

As we work toward the strengthening of the provincial entities – Métis Mama is still busy working on the forum for Métis Nationalism. We will soon be contacting the individuals who have requested involvement in the conference/meeting that will be hosted this summer. Stay tuned for more details.