Communication

Many words have been shared over many forms over Métis Mama’s silence. Some have been entertaining and some have been enlightening but some have been disheartening. There are a few things that I feel like sharing now:

Everyone has a vision – everyone has an opinion – even those that may sit in silence – have a view. My view is no more important then anyone else’s but it is sharing that view which brings us to a place of wonder. Some of the political views that have been shared over our political process have been closer to bullying and violence. I realize that the Métis Nation was a nation of passion and the belief of what is right and the protection of those very rights – but did our forefathers envision a nation of people that would become violent and bullying the weakest parts of our community?

Some of what I did discern during our election in Alberta was that people somehow felt that they are not involved in a decisive way in the direction of their nation. They talked about the obscure communication and that they were not aware. Let’s start there. I realize that communication is a two prong action – telling and listening. If you tell and no one is listening – communication breaks down. My point will easily be made in what I witnessed last month. There was a very large report presented, along with the Métis Otipemisiwak Magazine, Audited Financial Statements and supporting materials at the Alberta Métis Assembly in Red Deer.

The report itself was 147 pages big and contained Ministerial Reports on 15 Ministries and the progress and priorities of each of them; affiliate reports on Apeetogosan, Métis Nation Wilderness Camp, Métis Urban Housing, Métis Crossing, Métis Child and Family Services, Métis Holdings, Métis Historical Society and Cree Production, Each Region had their newly developed Business Plans – including objectives and measures for the future priorities of the Region.

The Ministerial Reports included the areas of Métis Rights and Citizenship, Labour Market, Education, Housing, Justice and Culture, Renewable Resources and Energy, Agriculture, Women and Youth, Veterans and Seniors, Métis Land Issues, Family and Wellness and Economic Development. The Otipemisiwak Magazine provided updates on the Harvesting issues and the Duty to Consult. At the Assembly there was information on project based activities like the Land Use Framework, FASD initiatives, Michif Language Initiatives, Diabetes and Health projects, etc. The President’s report contained information and highlights of achievements over the past year. The list is endless and goes on – but yet we know nothing; see nothing and provide a response that we are not aware.

Does anyone actually read these reports? Would we even know if there was an issue that we need to get involved in or maybe that we missed - some important issue where we need to develop a new portfolio? How would we know – because we quit listening! I am not saying this just for others – I have too.

Now back to communication being a two pronged approach – why are we not telling, verbally, what we are doing? Why doesn’t everyone know? For those communicating – that is what we should be hearing at the Assembly. Yes the President gives a comprehensive report but where are these Ministers? The only real Ministerial reports presented – were Citizenship and Finance. Every Minister should have a report, a comprehensive understanding of their portfolio and response as to their involvement within those reports. They should have a presentation that would identify the priorities of the portfolio and the achievements. The written reports should be available, along with the Business Plan of each Portfolio on a website – so that every Métis person can access them.

Each Region should also have their reports, achievements and priorities laid out and presented even if it is by having a display table with written information at the Assembly and once again available on line.

As for the Métis people – we have a responsibility to listen. Read the damn reports, be a critical thinker – but at least read the reports. Provide input into priorities and direction – send a letter, send an email, stop by an office – go to consultations and meetings – get involved and be a listener – not just an arm chair critic.

Everyone is busy – but I did notice that we were not too busy to listen to the gossip of what was wrong with someone else. The internet during this past election was not used as a tool to set priorities but rather it was used to defame, malign and destroy people. Amazingly – not even people who were running for election. If our children were to watch our behaviours as of late – we would be in the corner on a time out for a very long time. The future of the Métis in Alberta is bright – we have come far and we are forging ahead. Become a responsible electorate and get involved.

For those who were successful – congratulations – but for the newly elected that congratulations is obviously a double edged sword. There are always far more criticisms then solutions and your new position does not come with a magic wand of miracles – just hard work and a long road to move us forward. Maybe start with a new portfolio called the Communication and Proclamation Portfolio.