PRESIDENT S NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 April 2012 PRESIDENT S NEWSLETTER Nobody s Children : A Métis Nation Residential School Dialogue Métis residential/boarding and day school survivors were joined by Métis Nation leadership and fellow citizens in Saskatoon, SK., for a two-day Métis Nation Residential School Dialogue titled, Nobody s Children. This gathering was the first time that survivors from across the Homeland were brought together in a safe place to share, learn and lean on one another as the Métis Nation took it s first collective step on the journey towards healing. Métis National Council President Clément Chartier says that the hurt runs deep. As a people we have faced many challenges, but nothing has been more personal and hurtful than the lack of recognition for our people who attended Métis residential and boarding schools. It is a continuing struggle trying to convince the federal government to do the right thing for all Aboriginal peoples, including the Métis. The Dialogue included panel sessions on the legacy of exclusion, experiences of Métis residential school attendees, experiences of day school attendees, Ile a la Crosse Residential School experiences Photo of Courtesy Métis covered of the by Governor the Indian General s Office Residential School Settlement Agreement and the impacts on family, culture and language as a result of the residential school systems. We have several generations now that require healing, the residential school system has scarred our Nation and the time has come for us to address these issues and feelings that we have been suppressing for so long, states President Chartier. In the Constitution Act 1867, the federal government only recognized its responsibility for two of the three Aboriginal Peoples leaving the Métis Nation in jurisdictional limbo bouncing between the federal and provincial governments the Métis were Nobody s Children, a position the Métis Nation finds itself in even today. In the end it doesn t matter who funded these schools that were full of thousands of Métis children. The policy set out to extinguish our culture, language and beliefs while torturing the adolescents out of us through physical, sexual, emotional and psychological 1

2 abuse was as real for us as it was for the survivors of the Indian Residential Schools that Canada recognizes and takes responsibility for, explains President Chartier. This Dialogue gave us the strength to move forward as a Nation and to find our way through this damaging part of our existence. I am confident that we come out of this a stronger, more unified and caring Nation for our future generations. Three primary outcomes emerged from the Dialogue: a working list of Métis residential, boarding and day schools that were attended by the Dialogue attendees which will be added to as more schools are identified; the stories of several Métis survivors which have been recorded on video for historical purposes; and lastly, that second conference will be held within the next year to continue the healing process and determine what the next steps are for the Métis Nation in resolving the outstanding issues of Métis residential, boarding and day schools. 2

3 Métis Nation hosts Economic Development Summit 2012 to foster business relationships between Métis businesses, industry and the federal and provincial governments Métis Nation citizens gathered with industry leaders and provincial and federal representatives in Grande Prairie on March 15 & 16, 2012 for the Métis Nation Economic Development Summit This two-day Summit, hosted by the Métis National Council in conjunction with both Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Nation British Columbia was a crucial step towards solidifying the position of Métis businesses and entrepreneurs in the Canadian economic landscape. Over the course of the two-day Summit, presentations and panel discussions focused on a variety of topics including partnerships, Métis procurement from the private and public sector perspectives, the Northern Gateway labour market opportunities, Métis Rights & traditional land use and access to capital. Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras says the Métis Nation is in economic development mode and it is no coincidence that we are meeting in one of Canada s most industrious regions. We are here to network, connect with industry and to help our communities identify ways they can participate in economic and resource development. The Métis Nation of Alberta has a vision for a better future for our children, a better life for our elders and for all Métis people in this Province. This Summit highlights the best of the Métis Nation and the direction that we are moving in, explained Métis Nation British Columbia President Bruce Dumont. The Métis have a very strong entrepreneurial tradition and over the past two days we, as a people, have come together to ensure that Métis entrepreneurs have opportunity to engage in these big development projects that are happening in our backyard. This Summit is the second within the Métis Nation Homeland in a series of five to be held by 2013 and will culminate at a Roundtable in Calgary that will result in the development of a Métis Nation Economic Development Strategy that will contribute to economic opportunities moving forward. The Métis Nation has been engaging with private industry to identify who they should be working with moving forward, based on the credentials and innovation of the hundreds of Métis-owned businesses that exist across our Homeland, explained Métis National Council President Clément Chartier. We have ensured that industry players have had a place at this Summit to explain where their labour gaps exist and what is currently front-of-mind for them right now. The Métis Nation is carving out its place in the economy and I am very proud of this. To view event video highlights, presentations and photographs go to These can also be accessed via the Economic Development portal at 3

4 Métis Procurement Conference held in Winnipeg - Métis are open for business On March 21 & 22, the Métis business community, industry and provincial and federal government representatives gathered at the Hotel Fort Garry in Winnipeg for the first ever Métis Procurement Conference. Métis businesses learned how to increase their participation as suppliers of goods and services to the private sector, government, and Crown Corporations and those entities learned more about how the Métis businesses can contribute to enhancing their bottom line. As the original entrepreneurs of Manitoba, this is our time to market our skills in a 21st century economy not only for the benefit of our Metis citizens, but for all Manitobans as well, said Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) President David Chartrand who noted that events such as this will stimulate more home-grown partnerships that will maintain the economic prosperity within the province rather than going overseas. The Métis Procurement conference was presented by the Metis Economic Development Organization (MEDO) in conjunction with the MMF, the Métis National Council, the Government of Canada and the Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council. It marked the third in a series of regional engagement sessions across the Métis homeland that will contribute to the development of a Métis Economic Development Strategy by the Métis National Council and its Governing Members, the federal government, and the five westernmost provinces in conjunction with industry partners. That Strategy, expected to be developed by 2013, will serve as a roadmap for future collaboration on key economic development matters such as procurement, partnerships, labor force development and Métis participation in major projects. For more information on Métis Nation Economic Development, please visit: and enter the Economic Development portal. Here you can access information not only on the Economic Development Forums & Symposiums to date, but also the Métis Nation strategies on Partnership Development, Education, community Development, Business Support and ASETS. 4

5 Rick Hansen Foundation signs protocol agreement with the Métis National Council The Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) and Métis National Council (MNC) signed a protocol agreement to meaningfully engage citizens of the Métis Nation in the activities of the Foundation. RHF and MNC are forming a strategic alliance to address issues of common interest, foster leadership among youth, and build stronger and healthier communities for all. Through the 25th Anniversary of the Man In Motion World Tour, our Foundation has the opportunity to build invaluable partnerships with important organizations that share our vision of healthier and more inclusive communities, said Rick Hansen. This collaboration with the Métis National Council moves us closer to achieving these goals and allows us to contribute to the strengthening of the Métis Nation by working together to empower young people to dream big instilling in them a sense that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. We believe that through mentorship, youth have the power to change the world and we look forward to engaging the MNC in Foundation initiatives that foster leadership among Métis youth. The MNC s goal is to secure a healthy space for the Métis Nation s ongoing existence within the Canadian Federation, keeping the Nation s distinct culture, traditions, and lifestyle alive, while pursuing social and economic development. Through this groundbreaking agreement, the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Métis National Council will seek out and identify opportunities to work in a cooperative and mutually supportive manner on initiatives that will foster leadership and engagement among youth in the areas of accessibility, inclusivity, health and wellness, and sustainability. The Métis National Council is committed to supporting each of our Métis Nation citizens in achieving a healthy, balanced, prosperous and fulfilled life through the many Métis-specific programs and services offered across the Homeland and by partnering with organizations such as the Rick Hansen Foundation," said MNC Vice President David Chartrand. "The coming together of the Métis Nation and the RHF was natural - we share many of the same goals and interests and most importantly the centralized vision of building strong, healthy and vibrant communities. We know that it takes a community to achieve success and we are very happy to welcome the RHF into our community there are many good things to come. As the national voice for Métis communities from Ontario westward, MNC represents and promotes the interests of the Métis Nation on a wide variety of environmental, social, and cultural issues. Built upon the main themes that ignite the vision of the Rick Hansen Foundation healthy people, healthy planet, and inclusive society this protocol agreement provides a framework of collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including working together to create opportunities for all individuals to contribute to their community in a meaningful way. 5

6 President s Message Approximately 150 delegates from across the Métis Nation Homeland gathered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on March 28-29, 2012 to participate in Nobody s Children, a national conference on Métis and the residential schools system. Over two days many participants expressed with great sadness the negative experiences encountered in both the residential and day school systems. From physical, sexual and psychological abuse to the pervasive and oppressive feelings of loneliness and dislocation from family and community, the message was clear: justice must be done. With the termination by the federal government of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation s financing, any access to funding for the Métis Nation disappeared. As a consequence, the ability of the Métis community to continue addressing the legacy of harm from the residential school system came to an end. While Métis residential/boarding schools are not part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement and the resulting apology by the federal government and the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), nevertheless, the Métis National Council was able to secure a grant under the TRC Commemoration Fund which made this conference possible. Clément Chartier President A citizen of the Métis Nation, was born at Ile a la Crosse in Northwest Saskatchewan and raised in the nearby Métis community of Buffalo Narrows. He is a lawyer, writer, lecturer and activist and has served in both political and administrative capacities with numerous Indigenous peoples organizations nationally and internationally. President Chartier is best known for his work on Métis and Indigenous rights. In 2003, President Chartier was elected President of the Métis National Council and is currently serving his thirdterm. A seasoned political figure and recipient of a Queen s Counsel distinction for his work in law, President Chartier has pushed the Métis Nation s rights agenda at various levels of Canada s judicial system and continues to provide counsel in on-going Métis-specific cases. Focused on strengthening the Métis Nation from its core President Chartier s goal during the next few years is to move the Métis Nation closer to adopting a new modern Métis Nation Constitution. It is incumbent on the leadership of the Métis Nation (MNC and Governing Members) to continue pressing for a speedy and just resolution/settlement for those many Métis children who experienced the harsh realities of the residential schools and the federal government policy of assimilation. President Chartier goes Têteà-Tête with Sir John A. President Chartier met up with Sir John A. Macdonald at the Manning Networking Conference in Ottawa on March 9, President Chartier: We are in quite the court battle over our promised land in Manitoba right now. Sir John A. Macdonald: I thought I gave the Métis everything. Everything. Also in attendance, was Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose. 6

7 Preparations begin for the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues On March 10-11, 2012 seventy-five delegates from various Indigenous Nations and peoples from Canada and the United States gathered in Niagara Falls, Ontario to prepare the North American Indigenous Caucus s statement to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII), which is part of the United Nations. The PFII will be holding its 11 th session in New York City on May 7-18, Topics for discussion included the Doctrine of Discovery and its impacts on Indigenous peoples, Danika Littlechild presents a Riel painting to President Chartier violence against Indigenous women and girls, the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, the right to food and food sovereignty and the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples to be held in the General Assembly of the UN in New York in The statement and recommendations from the March NAIPC meeting will be presented at the PFII by the Co-Chairs Arthur Manual (Canada) and Debra Harry (USA). The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. The Eleventh session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will take place from May 7 to 18, 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Special Theme is The Doctrine of Discovery: its enduring impact on indigenous peoples and the right to redress for past conquests. 7

8 Métis National Council Environment Committee reconvenes in Saskatoon The Métis National Council (MNC) Environment Committee met in Saskatoon, SK on March 27, Governing Members attended and provided an overview of some of the major environmental initiatives in their organization. Governing Members expressed their intention to work more closely and share experiences to assist in the development of more effective processes in such things as mapping, traditional knowledge management, and other governance policy development. The Métis National Council reported on national and international activities, including updates on our involvement with the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk, the Land Matters Group Steering Committee of the National Energy Board, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Climate Change, Global Mercury, Canada s proposed National Conservation Plan, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and anticipated affects of the federal budget. Meeting outcomes included a recommendation that the MNC Board of Governors express Métis concerns to the federal government at the dismantling of the environmental review process without any form of consultation with Métis. The Métis National Council Environment Committee and officials plan to work on the development of a common mapping mechanism that will be more uniform across the Homeland. They will also work to review draft federal policy documents of Environment Canada (EC) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) which are intended to guide federal personnel on how to access, collect, store and use Aboriginal traditional knowledge. EC and DFO have invited feedback from Métis on their draft documents. The MNC Environment Committee officials will work with the MNC to assist in advancing Métis perspectives within the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and subsequent Canadian legislation and policy which emerges from CBD outcomes. The MNC Environment Committee plans to meet more regularly through e-conference services. Currently, the MNC Environment Committee is represented by: Dave Hodgson, Minister, Natural Resources, Métis Nation British Columbia; Shirley Benson, Minister of Environment and Water, Métis Nation of Alberta; Robert LaFontaine, Minister of Lands & Resources, Métis Nation Saskatchewan; Ed Charrier, Minister, Environment & Mining, Manitoba Métis Federation; Cameron Burgess, Environment, Métis Nation of Ontario; and President Clément Chartier, Chair, MNC Environment Committee. 8

9 WMN present three Métis women with Diamond Jubilee Medal Provided by the Women of the Métis Nation Three Métis women are among many amazing Canadians who received the highly prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Métis Lawyers Ms. Jean Teillet and Ms. Kathy Hodgson-Smith and Ms. Shirley Isbister, an advocate for Métis Children andfamilies involved in child welfare, were presented the awards at a ceremony hosted by the Women of the Métis Nation General Assembly in Edmonton on March 30 th, President Omeniho was joined by Métis National Council President Clément Chartier and Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras in bestowing the honour. WMN President Melanie Omeniho says, It was truly an honour for me, as President of the Women to the Métis Nation, to have the pleasure of presenting the medals to each of these tremendous ladies. I can t tell you how proud I am of each of these women, especially because I know they exemplify the strength, leadership and determination of so many of our women across the Métis Nation, says President Omeniho. The Diamond Jubilee medal marks the 60 th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II s accession to the Throne and will be presented to 60,000 distinguished Canadians. Ms. Teillet, Ms. Hodgson-Smith and Ms. Isbister will be among a total of 33 Métis Nation citizens who will receive a medal during Métis National Council Congratulates WMN President Omeniho on her re-election Women of the Métis Nation President Melanie Omeniho gives her acceptance speech after she was re-elected through acclamation during the WMN General Assembly in Edmonton, AB on March 31, On behalf of the Métis Nation, I congratulate Women of the Métis Nation President Melanie Omeniho on her re-election to a three-year term. President Omeniho is a strong leader with a vision for the women of the Métis Nation that is both well rounded and direct with a focus on traditional teachings and knowledge, economic development and providing supports for our citizens so we can heal our Nation after decades of challenges and abuse. The Métis Nation has always had strong minded and strong willed women and it is now through the WMN that we will see dramatic and positive change within our Nation. I am proud to acknowledge that there is only one sole national voice for Métis women in Canada congratulations again to President Omeniho on her reelection. There are many good things to come, said Métis National Council President Clément Chartier. The Women of the Métis Nation held their General Assembly in Edmonton, AB on March 30 & 31 st. 9

10 Melanie Omeniho set to serve three year term as Women of the Métis Nation President Provided by the Women of the Métis Nation Forty Métis Women delegates from across the Métis homeland came together at the National General Assembly and elected Melanie Omeniho as their President for the next three year term. Ms. Omeniho was the Interim President and on Saturday March 31, 2012 she was re-elected by acclamation. President Omeniho has been involved at a national level working with Métis women across the Métis Nation to address and represent the issues that impact Métis women. Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak Women of the Métis Nation [WMN] through the Métis National Council is the only national women s organization to speak on behalf of Métis women. President Omeniho spoke about the importance to work as a collective of Métis women and to ensure that communication is a priority in helping them move forward. At the National General Assembly they demonstrated the new website that will soon be launched along with other interactive communication strategies. It is a new era and WMN are going to work to ensure that all Métis women in Canada can be engaged and interactive in the direction of this organization. They also developed a national steering committee that will work on issues related to the number of Métis children in care through the various provincial child welfare authorities. The committee is named Bringing Home Our Children. I am so honoured to be able to move forward with the overwhelming support that I have received and I look forward to working with Métis women on their priorities and initiatives that they have brought forward says President Omeniho. Métis women have worked hard with the Métis National Council to ensure that they are recognized and can be their own voice. Melanie Omeniho wants to see Métis women take back their traditional roles and work effectively to have a voice that joins with the Métis National Council in moving forward the issues with Métis Rights. 10

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