MNC’S ELECTION IS BEGINNING TO HEAT UP

We are almost a week away and now the election for the Métis National Council is heating up. Clem Chartier is calling the delegates for the upcoming election and fear mongering. He is trying to slight Tony Belcourt’s support and trying to indicate that he is a pan-Aboriginal man not a Métis leader. Now it is true, he was the founding President of the Native Council of Canada but let’s consider that we are talking about a time in our history when all Métis were represented by that body.

He worked to push for the issues that resulted in Métis being included in the Constitution in 1982 and has been a very successful leader for the past three decades. Tony has represented us on many issues related to the United Nations and has been the founding instrumental leader who has had Métis recognized in Ontario. Tony has held the course even when his views were not always the most popular views of the other leaders. He does lobby hard to represent the Métis people of Ontario and to ensure that they are not what Clem often refers to as the “bookend”.

Tony comes from a traditional, proud Métis family - which have been very active members of the community. He was born in the historic Métis community of Lac St. Anne and has dedicated his life to the advancement of the Métis cause like many in his family. In fact, the Belcourt family has been what many would term as a very successful Métis family who have never forgotten their roots and have, in spite of their personal successes, contributed freely back to their community.

Now as for Clem Chartier’s leaderahip. He was unanimously put in as leader of the Métis National Council in 2003 – shortly after the release of the Powley decision. The Métis National Council and the Board of Governors were working hard on the Métis agenda and moving forward with government negotiations. The Board of Governors was cohesive and working towards a united agenda. Within a relatively short period of time – under his leadership – we have an organization that did not have a Board of Governors meeting in many months prior to his demise. Clem was a leader who – did campaign on bringing a constitution to the Métis National Council - we notice that there is no movement towards that. Instead he supported continued divisiveness on the BOG and many times was not present at the various public events, negotiations and consultations that were necessary to move the Métis agenda forward.

Clem would send one of the other Board of Governors to represent MNC- but mostly David Chartrand. Clem would not move to Ottawa to take up his role and be an active leader. The Métis National Council has had to pay his hotel room since 2003 until October last year – because he continued to say he resided in Buffalo Narrows. Even when you consider the financial burden on the Métis National Council in paying monthly hotel bills at the Albert at Bay in Ottawa and the travel expenditures that are incurred to transport the National President back and forth between Buffalo Narrows – how can we frankly afford him as our leader.

Clem is a respected Métis rights lawyer who has been instrumental in many precedent setting cases. He has an intuitive quality that has represented Métis well in the courts across Canada – but a good lawyer does not make a good political leader. I believe that there is a role for Mr. Chartier in the Métis Nation but not as the President of the Métis National Council.

“What good is MNC?”

On the Métis News and Stuff Blog Site (http://derrylsanderson.blogspot.com/) a question keeps coming up – “What good is MNC?”

I am going to make an attempt at answering that without sounding like I am running a political campaign –

The Métis National Council in truth is a corporate entity much like all its’ provincial counterparts that sum up to make the whole. I wish that we were in a better political presence to have fought to be the respected representative body without being a part of the Corporate Acts of Canada but that is going to take more political will then we have today. Government requires incorporations so that when legal contracts that involve contribution agreements are signed they have an actual legal entity to enter into an agreement with. So firstly, I believe the Métis National Council needs to stop being an elitist club and they need to become the democracy that they profess to honour. True traditional democracy – where the people are the power.

When you look at the history of the real first Métis Council – it was Louis Riel with his Provisional Government. He would have community meetings and seek the support of the community to move forward with the mandate that was given to him. There are records that talk about meetings of a 1,000 (10%) of the population that was considered Manitoba at the time. Issues were presented, debated and moved forward on. It was not a select group who controlled the will of the people without seeking their support. In today’s MNC response at an Annual General Meeting like the one on February 23 and 24th, 2008 we have 55 people of 390,000 setting the mandate and priorities for the Métis people from across Canada. I believe that works out to like 0.014% of the Métis population in Canada.

My response of do we need a Métis National Council or entity to represent Métis people from across Canada – just one word YES! I am a nationalist – much like my forefathers that went before me. The role of the Métis National Council is to work with the existing Government of Canada – much like Louis Riel did – to further the agenda of Métis people from across the homeland. Our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren deserve to have their place honoured as one of the Indigenous groups of Canada. Our children do not want to have to go to court to fight for what was inherent to them.

Issues that relate to adequate housing, education, health services and healthy families should be a given – but it is not. Access to the same programming that is available for other Aboriginal people in Canada should be automatic not challenged between political authorities like it is now – Are we Federal or Provincial jurisdiction? Issues of how are Veterans were dishonoured and not acknowledged should be addressed. Issues related to our Métis people who were victims of residential schools should not be forgotten. The role of the Métis National Council is to work with the Government of Canada to ensure that Métis people are no longer the forgotten people.

I know that everyone likes to focus on the right to hunt but frankly that is only the existing recognition of one inalienable right. That is probably one of the greatest reasons that I work to overcome the issues that internally plague us – we are bigger then the bullies that have run us. We are Métis and many before David tried to take us down but our passion, our pride and our rich heritage has taught us to stand and fight for what is right. We need a strong National representative body that will reflect the views of many of our young Métis people who deserve an honourable place in the mosaic of Canada just as our forefathers had.

I am requesting that the next leader of the Métis National Council brings forward a National Constitution that respects and treats all Métis from across the homeland with respect and dignity. Let the Constitution outline the jurisdictions and role of each of the counterparts and lets conduct elections that have every Métis person from across the homeland eligible to vote. Ensure the honest and integrity of our governing bodies by using democracy and consensus to build a strong nation. I know this is a big challenge – but that is what we need in today’s leader so that we can quit repeating the errors of the past.

You have got to love the Metis Grassroots People

There is much a foot and many things at work – but my admiration of the Métis community never waivers. People with hearts – people with a beliefs - people with the passion and commitment to fight for the rights that our forefathers and foremothers gave us.

We received a report that on February 9, 2008 – there was a community grassroots meeting in Edmonton. A meeting that in -44 degree weather – Métis people gathered to come and talk about their concerns and to hear the issues of the people. As it was reported to Métis Mama – the people paid for the meeting. They gathered, came at their expense from all across Alberta – shared tears, shared stories and identified issues that were present today. They came to tell the leaders of their disillusion with the in fighting that has us being embarrassed by the individuals who are going to government to undermine our leadership.

Ron Jones and about 12 – 15 Métis hunters came to share their experiences. They have been out with the traditional hunts and encampments practicing their traditional hunting rights. They have gone at their own risk and their own expense. They talked about how many of the hunts have cost them as individuals $1,000 each to prepare, travel, set up camp and to ensure that they work towards challenging the Alberta governments stand on Métis hunting rights. They work with the existing leadership and set up the statistics and data necessary to challenge our impact on the number of animals that are taken in comparison to the sport hunting that is present in today’s Alberta.

Remember now – we have an American born Minister for Sustainable Resource Development in Alberta that wants Métis people to bring in our genealogy and our annual taxable income documents to determine if we are poor enough to qualify as hunters. In fact, one hunter reported that Fish and Game denied him his rights because he owns a truck with a camper – so that assessed him as he can afford to buy meat at the store. It is a scary process when the government that has attempted to assimilate us wants to start looking at blood quantum to determine our Métis heritage. Some hunters have been told if they want to traditionally hunt they should return to Manitoba - even though they have lived in Alberta most of their lives!

Based on what the hunters reported – if you are poor you can not afford to hunt. The hunters have started a legal defense fund. Many of them have donated their own money to this cause. They are working at setting up the proper protocols to challenge the issues and to work towards fighting the parameters of policies and legislation so that all Métis can assert their inherent rights in this country. They are an admirable group – who we should all be proud of.

The people talked about the importance of working with the Leader of the Métis Nation of Alberta in moving the agenda forward that benefits all Métis people. In fact, many identified that it is time to eliminate the dissidents that are only working for themselves and have forgotten why they were put there.

We will keep you posted as to the events and grassroots movement – they are planning another town hall meeting – at their own expense on March 8, 2008.

Cleansing the Metis Nation

As I mentioned in a previous post - Alberta grassroots Metis have the ability to take action and ensure integrity in the leaders who represent them.

Posts were sent to me by the Alberta community and we have edited to fit within the confines of the blog. We will put smaller pieces of the post so that it will be easier to understand. The first post is in relation to the meetings that are being hosted and the bylaws that are being identified in the action.

Under the bylaws and with Respect for the MNAA and the Métis Nation of Alberta Judiciary Council….

Independent Actions of Other Locals in the Region 3, Public Meeting Scheduled in Local Chinook 1880, Local 8 Medicine Hat & Local 845 Rocky Mountain House.

Based on the performance, behavior of Region 3 Vice President, Joe Chodzicki and
Based on the performance, behavior of Vice President MNA Trevor Gladue.
Regarding removal of Joe Chodzicki from office of Region 3 Vice-President

Excerpt from Bylaws Metis Nation of Alberta:

23.3 A Provincial Council member other than the President or Vice-President may be removed from office through the following process:

(a) A minimum of twenty-one (21) days notice of a Local Community Meeting to approve an ordinary resolution demanding the removal of their Provincial council member must be given to members of the Local Community; and

(b) A written resolution demanding the removal of the Provincial Council Member must be approved by seventy-five (75%) percent of the Local Councils in the Region who have held meetings and given their members a minimum of twenty-one (21) days notice of the meeting; and

(c) The written resolution approved and signed by seventy-five (75%)percent of the Local Councils in the Region shall be sent to the Regional Council; and

(d) Upon receipt of the written resolution from the Local Councils the Secretary of the Regional Council Shall give a minimum of twenty-one (21) days notice of meeting to the members of the Regional Council to vote on the written resolution; and

(e) A meeting of the Regional Council shall be held and if seventy-five (75%) percent of the members of the Regional Council vote to remove their Provincial Council member then a written resolution demanding the removal of the Provincial Council member shall be sent to the Provincial Council; and

(f) Within twenty-one (21) days of the receipt of a written resolution from the Regional Council signed by seventy-five (75%) percent of the members of Regional Council the Provincial Council shall remove the Provincial Council member and the position shall be declared vacant.

Regarding removal of Trevor Gladue from office of Provincial Vice-PresidentExcerpt from BYLAWS Metis Nation of Alberta

23.2 A President or Vice-President may be removed from office through the following process:

(g) A minimum of twenty-one (21) days notice of a Local Community Meeting to approve an ordinary resolution demanding the removal of the President or Vice-President must be a given to all Local Communities in Alberta; and

(h) A written resolution demanding the removal of the President or Vice-President must be approved by seventy-five (75%) percent of all Local Councils in Alberta who have held meetings and given their members a minimum of twenty-one (21) days notice of the meeting; and

(i) The written resolution approved and signed by seventy-five (75%)percent of all Local Communities in Alberta shall be sent to their Regional Council; and

(j) Upon receipt of the written resolution from the Local Council the Secretary of each Regional Council shall give a minimum of twenty-one (21) days notice of meeting to the members of the Regional Council to vote on the written resolution; and

(k) A meeting of each Regional Council shall be held and if seventy-five (75%) percent of the members of the Regional Council vote to remove the President or Vice-President then each Regional Council shall send a written resolution demanding the removal of the President or Vice-President to the Provincial Council; and

(l) Within twenty-one (21) days of the receipt of a written resolution from seventy-five (75%) percent of the Regional Councils signed by seventy-five (75%) percent of the members of each Regional Council the Provincial Council shall remove the President or Vice-President and the position shall be declared vacant.

There are other pieces to the information that has been sent that will be posted later....

A Letter from the Past - even more relevant now...

Audrey Poitras, President of the Metis Nation of Alberta wrote a letter to the Metis people in Alberta on May 9, 2007. Did she have a crystal ball - or maybe - just a good leader who campaigned on accountability and has walked the talk through the years of her leadership. For those of you that may not have seen the letter on the cancelled health agreement see "Metis National Council and the Health Agreement- Exclusive to MN&S" at http://derrylsanderson.blogspot.com/.

Here is the text of the letter dated May 9, 2007

On May 9, 2007 a letter was sent to all of the Métis Locals and Regions in Alberta from the Office of the President.

To Members of the Métis Nation of Alberta

RE: Update on Metis Health Programs and Services

Please accept the following as an update with respect to the Métis Nation of Alberta’s (MNA) recent challenges with the Métis National Council (MNC) with respect to the delivery of Métis health programs and services in this province.

In recent weeks, some of you may have heard about or have even attended regional health meetings that are being hosted by the Métis National Council (MNC), along with a consultant from Ottawa and select individuals who have been chosen by the MNC. It is important for members to know that the MNA is not formally a part of these meetings and that the MNC has chosen to work around the MNA, as the democratically elected representative of Alberta Métis.
In order to understand how this unfortunate situation came to pass, I want to provide you with some background on these health initiatives. In September 2004, the federal government committed $700 million over five years for Aboriginal health. Based on a commitment from then Prime Minister Paul Martin, a historic Metis-specific allocation of this funding was secured. The MNA, along with all of the Metis affiliates, were instrumental in realizing this breakthrough in Metis health.

This $700 million is targeted in three areas: $100 million is designated for the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative, that is, measures to increase the numbers of Aboriginal people in health careers or to retain health workers in Aboriginal communities, of which the MNC is receiving approximately $10 million; $200 million is being placed in the Aboriginal Health Transition Fund, which is suppose to fund short-term projects to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system for Aboriginal people, of which the MNC is being allocated $4.3 million overall; and $400 million has been committed to existing health promotion and disease prevention programs, that is, programs designed to deal with prevention and life-style issues rather than primary care, of which the MNC is receiving an undisclosed but very minor amount. These amounts must be spent by March 31, 2010 - “over the next three years“ and there is no guarantee that programs will continue after that date.

Although these resources fall short of the health needs of Métis or what a fair distribution would demand, they are still an important breakthrough for the Métis Nation. The real problems have arisen in how this funding is being used by the MNC. More specifically, the challenges relate to how David Chartrand, who is the MNC Minister for Health, has chosen to conduct himself in a unilateral fashion that undermines accountability to the MNA.

For example, in the past, whenever the MNC has secured such funding from the federal government, it has always respected the primary role of its provincial affiliates, which are its Governing Members, in managing funds and in designing and delivering programs. The MNC was not created to deliver programs and services from Ottawa. That is the role of its Governing Members. However, this time, the MNC negotiated a deal with Health Canada that not only transfers all funding to the MNC but that gives it the power to administer these funds more or less as it pleases.

The MNA was not involved in negotiating the contribution agreements the MNC concluded with Health Canada. We were not even kept informed of the proposals submitted to Health Canada by the MNC or on the progress of negotiations. Instead, copies of agreements were provided to us only after they had been signed. The MNA was simply expected to accept what the MNC had done and if we did not do so, the current leadership of the MNC could simply by-pass the MNA and other Governing Members by entering into agreements with virtually anyone it wished to deliver Métis health initiatives at the provincial level.

The MNA was also concerned about the accountability challenges this type of national agreement creates. In all other programs we operate, the MNA has a direct contribution agreement with the federal department that provides funding. This ensures that the MNA alone is accountable for the funds for which it is responsible. In the arrangement the MNC negotiated, funding targeted at Alberta Métis must flow though the MNC, and if either the MNC or another MNC affiliate miss one of their reporting requirements, then Health Canada has the right to stop payments under the agreement as a whole. The MNA would therefore be placed in a position, through no fault of its own, of having its funding depend on actions of others. We have learned from past experiences that these types of umbrella funding agreements create real problems for the MNC and its Governing Members. That is why from Urban Multi-Purpose Youth Centres funding to Powley funding, each Governing Member negotiates and enters into its own bilateral contribution agreement with the federal government. In the past, the MNC Board of Governors have all taken strong stands on this principle. However, in this situation, the Minister responsible for Health pushed forward on a national umbrella agreement without the support of the MNA or other Governing Members.

Based on these realities, with the full consent of MNA Provincial Council, a motion was passed in February 2007 to withdraw from these MNC-led initiatives and seek a direct agreement with Health Canada in order to resolve the MNA concerns.

Unfortunately, instead of respecting the MNA’s decision and allowing the situation to work itself out, David Chartrand began to bilaterally approach select individuals and groups in Alberta to deliver these Métis health programs and services for the MNC in Alberta. His actions clearly undermined the principle of respecting each MNC provincial affiliate’s respective jurisdiction. Further, his actions set back our agenda to have our own Métis governments respected by others. How can we expect others to respect our governments if the MNC itself will not respect the jurisdiction of its own regional governments?

The result of Mr. Chartrand’s efforts was signing an agreement with Metco Ventures Inc., a private company owned by the Vice-President of Region 1 and a select few, to deliver MNC/Health Canada initiatives in Alberta. This Metco agreement was not brought forward to the MNA Provincial Council before it was signed. In fact, the MNA only recently received a copy of this agreement. Since it is readily apparent to other MNA Provincial Council members and I that the Vice-President of Region 1 is now in a conflict of interest, we have asked the MNA Judiciary Council to review this matter prior to taking any further steps at the MNA Provincial Council level. Unfortunately, while this is taking place, the few who are beneficiaries to this Metco agreement are traveling the province and consulting with select individuals, rather than the MNA engaging all MNA regions and citizens.

In organizing regional sessions in Alberta, the MNC through its consultant claims to be acting in the interest of Métis students and the Métis people of Alberta yet it has consistently shown that it is not prepared to involve the MNA in any meaningful way in the development of these initiatives. The MNA is accountable to the Métis people of Alberta, not a consultant from Ottawa, a private company or a hand-picked few who agree with the positions of David Chartrand.

It should also be noted that both the Presidents of the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) do not agree with what the MNC has done. In order to resolve this issue internally, I have asked the MNC President to call a meeting of the MNC Board of Governors. Unfortunately, because of how the MNC bylaws are structured, the MNC President, combined with President Chartrand, can stop that meeting from happening at this time. I will continue to push for a meeting of the MNC Board of Governors; however, while I am continuing to resolve this internally, the MNA is also bilaterally engaging the federal government to see how this situation can be addressed.Finally, I want to stress that the MNA has always been and will continue to be a strong supporter of the Métis Nation. We are a Founding Member of the MNC. Our frustration does not lie with the Métis Nation as a whole. Our frustration lies with the actions of specific individuals in positions of power who have decided that they know better than the democratically elected leadership of Alberta Métis. As I outlined above, we are not alone in our frustration. Both the MNBC and MNO are fully supportive of the MNA’s position on this matter.

Over ten years ago, I was elected on a platform of increasing transparency and accountability within the MNA. I believe over the last decade, we have built a stronger MNA together. Our efforts have been recognized by governments and others from across the country. As such, I do not believe we should compromise what we have built in Alberta to appease the MNC, David Chartrand or the self-interests of Ottawa consultants.

I will continue to seek an agreement with Health Canada in respect of these health initiatives and I believe we will ultimately be successful. The individuals who have benefited for short-term gains and politics will be held to account for their actions. The struggle will be difficult, but the issue is critically important for the future of the MNA and the Métis Nation. I believe it would be a grave error on our part to allow the arrangement the MNC has negotiated with Health Canada to set a precedent for other federal departments to follow. If we show solidarity, I am confident that we will achieve our goal.

Sincerely,

Métis Nation of Alberta

Audrey Poitras
President

David Chartrand Sounds a Little Bitter

Article in todays Winnipeg Free Press:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/story/4121928p-4716562c.html

Member manoeuvred off board?

Claims criticisms of Métis federation president led to his removal

Fri Feb 8 2008

By Aldo Santin

A long-time member of the Manitoba Métis Federation said he was manoeuvred off the board of directors because of his criticisms of federation president David Chartrand.

Darrel Deslaurier said he was removed late last year after he was forced into bankruptcy by an MMF subsidiary, a lending institution called Louis Riel Capital Corp., over a $56,000 loan for a truck.

Deslaurier said that after he declared bankruptcy, MMF officials informed him that the Corporations Act prohibits anyone in bankruptcy from holding a seat on a corporation board. Chartrand said Deslaurier was a deadbeat who got what he deserved.

"This is just a vile attempt by Mr. Deslaurier to put a negative spin on the federation," Chartrand said. "He knew the rules, knew that if he declared bankruptcy he couldn't stay on the board. He wouldn't resign so he was removed."

Deslaurier said he had spent the previous several months questioning Chartrand, particularly over his handling of funds as health minister of the Métis National Council.

Deslaurier said he also opposed Chartrand's efforts to have Manitoba delegates support his candidate in the upcoming Métis National Council presidential election.

"I had been a member of the MMF for eight years and for all that time I believed I was part of a Métis government," Deslaurier said. "Then I found out I wasn't part of government -- I was on a corporation."

Deslaurier said he suspects that officials from the Louis Riel Capital Corp. manoeuvred him into a position of bankruptcy in a bid to silence his criticism of Chartrand. The Louis Riel Capital Corporation "went after my loan and I had no choice but to declare bankruptcy," Deslaurier said. "They had already taken my truck, emptied my bank account and my kids' trust accounts and were going after my house. I had to declare bankruptcy to save my house. Then I found out I was off the board."

Chartrand said the MMF and the Métis National Council have a good relationship with Ottawa and there are no issues over how either body is spending money given to it by the federal government.

Chartrand said Deslaurier had refused for several years to pay back his loan, adding the Louis Riel Capital Corp. seized his property to make good the debt.

Chartrand said that every candidate for the MMF board knows that they would be removed from their position if they fall into bankruptcy.

Deslaurier is still included as a director on the MMF website but Chartrand said a byelection will be held soon to replace him.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca


I find Mr. Chartrand’s comment about the relationship with MNC being portrayed as good. Wonder if he forgot all those Press Releases that indicated that Clem and him filed Statement of Claims against the MNC and the other Board of Governors. As for his relationship with Ottawa – the letter he received last week identifying that they are in default in the Health Contract and that Minister Strahl put out last October saying no more money – doesn’t sound so good to me. This was some interesting statements coming from a very angry bully.

Tony Belcourt to run for Métis National Council President

As in most honorable people – there is no speculation – no interpretation but an honest upfront announcement that clearly states your intention. Good show Tony – If the other candidates believed in what they were doing they would demonstrate a good political campaign that is based on their accomplishments and a vision for the future – not Back Room Politics and Mud Slinging!

OTTAWA (February 4, 2008) --- Tony Belcourt, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario, has announced that he will be a candidate for President of the Métis National Council. The election for President will take place at the MNC General Assembly on February 23-24, 2008 at the Delta Ottawa Hotel in Ottawa.

“We need to come together as a Nation. Today, across the Métis Nation, we share collective concerns: our health care and care for our seniors, education, unemployment, housing, the environment, justice for the victims of the residential school era, justice for our veterans and the recognition of our Constitutional rights, including the rights to land and respect of our right to hunt and fish for food everywhere throughout the Métis homeland,” Mr. Belcourt said. “It is critical that we unite, that we bring these shared issues to the doorstep of Parliament, that together we take our rightful place at the negotiation table with the Federal Government.”
“My experience over four decades of involvement in the Métis Nation and in Aboriginal issues generally gives us the opportunity to set a new, united direction for the Métis National Council in dealing with the Government of Canada, the Premiers, business leaders and other Aboriginal leaders,” Mr. Belcourt said. “We are a proud people, rich in our culture, tradition and values; a people of great accomplishment with a vibrant youthful population offering great promise for the future. I want to work towards the development of a strong national voice that will inspire our people to bring their talents and knowledge to the Métis cause and to build upon our values of self-determination and self-sufficiency.

“Collectively we have an incredible depth of human resources within our Nation, in particular among Métis women and our elders whose knowledge and unique perspectives are so often overlooked. Our people are more educated now than we ever have been in our past and our population is growing exponentially. So our potential at this point in our history is great, but the challenges facing the Métis Nation remain. We have clear-cutting within our traditional territories right up to our front doors. We have levels of poverty and unemployment within our communities that far surpass the mainstream. Our language is in real danger of disappearing. We need to bind together for the common good of our people and our communities. That is the challenge facing the Métis Nation and I have every confidence that with the right focus we can meet that challenge and achieve the aspirations that our people have sought for generations.”
Tony Belcourt, who was born in Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, has served in many capacities within the Métis Nation throughout his career, including as Vice-President of the Métis Nation of Alberta and founding President of the Native Council of Canada. In 1993 he was instrumental in founding the Métis Nation of Ontario and has served as its President since then. He has led the Métis hunt for justice that resulted in the landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Powley in 2003 which ruled that the Métis right to hunt and fish for food was an existing Constitutional right. He has served as the Métis National Council’s representative at the international level for many years and participated in the negotiations that led to the recent adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He has served on many boards including the Governing Council of Trent University's Ph.D. program in Native Studies. In 2006 he received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Public Service. One of his proudest accomplishments is the “Nation-to-Nation” relationship that has been established between the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Anishinabek Nation.

For further information, see these websites: www.metisnation.org/tonybelcourt.html or www.metisnation.org

Ph: Tony Belcourt at 1-613-798-1488 ext 108 or 1-888-690-0823
Katelin Peltier 613-859-7130 - Cell