Office of the President. Canada and Métis Nation Strengthen their Relationship. President Clément Chartier and Prime Minister Stephen Harper

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1 Canada and Métis Nation Strengthen their Relationship April 29, 2013 Ottawa ON: President Chartier and Prime Minister Harper discussed economic priorities after the renewal of the Métis Nation Protocol and the signing of a Governance and Finance Accord. The new Protocol signed by Minister Valcourt and President Chartier continues the process for Canada and the Métis Nation to conduct discussions on a range of key issues and objectives. These agreements clearly define the parties expectations of one another, and outline a way of working together so that we can focus on what really matters: creating jobs, economic growth and long term prosperity for the Métis in Canada, said Minister Valcourt. With the Métis National Council we have a partner that shares the belief that the best way to achieve results is by working together President Clément Chartier and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and these agreements will help to further facilitate that. We are pleased to have renewed the Protocol so that we can continue to build on the success of the 2008 Protocol, added President Clément Chartier. We are serious about working together to ensure that Métis people continue to share in economic development opportunities. The renewed Protocol includes a number of changes from the 2008 protocol, including an agreement by both parties to hold an annual meeting engaging the Minister, the Métis National Council and its Governing Members. It also includes an agreement by both parties to hold regular bilateral meetings between the Minister and the President of the Métis National Council, as well as meetings between senior officials, to ensure continued discussions on issues that matter to both parties. New in this year s agreement is a Governance and Financial Accountability Accord, annexed to the Protocol. The Accord identifies five major priorities, including: Continued on next page

2 the completion of the MNC General Assembly Governance Resolution from December 2010; completing the development of common standards for Métis Nation Registries; moving to block contribution funding to provide flexibility to MNC in regards to the use of funding and reducing administrative burden; continuing to strengthen national policy support for Métis economic development and participation in major development projects; and, similar to the new First Nations Financial Transparency Act, the Accord will ensure the public disclosure of audited consolidated financial statements and schedules of remuneration, to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the Métis National Council s fiscal arrangement. The discussion with Prime Minister Harper and Minister Valcourt focused on Métis Nation economic priorities. The Prime Minister concurred with President Chartier that a broader meeting of the Prime Minster and his Ministers should be held with the Métis Nation to deal with Métis priorities. The Prime Minister showed strong interest in President Chartier s proposals and indicated that he would follow up with Ministers. President Clément Chartier and Minister Bernard Valcourt

3 A nother chapter has been added to the relationship between the federal government and the Métis Nation. On April 29 th just prior to a meeting with Prime Minister Harper, Minister Valcourt and I entered into a renewal of the 2008 Métis Nation Protocol, and signed a new Governance and Financial Accountability Accord. The renewed Protocol contains a formalized process whereby the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs will meet annually with the Board of Governors, with regular meetings between the Minister and the President, supplemented by regular meetings of senior federal and Métis Nation officials who will report back to the Minister and leaders at their respective meetings. This is a positive new feature which will assist us in moving forward on subject matters agreed to. In particular, it will give a focus to the current Métis Economic Development Symposium (MEDS) process which is expected to result in a national Métis economic development strategy by the end of this year. The Accord, which forms a schedule to the Protocol, is meant to strengthen relations between Canada and the Métis Nation, as well as strengthen the capacity of the Métis National Council to fulfill its mandate for national, Message from the President international and intergovernmental representation and policy development. It also provides for a new fiscal relationship between the federal government and the Métis Nation, moving from project based funding to government-togovernment financing arrangements. While moving to block funding or other funding agreement acceptable to both parties by April 1, 2014 this current fiscal year will see an easing 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 third term. 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 Métisspecific cases. Focused on strengthening the Métis Nation from its core President Chartier s goal during the next year is the Métis Nation adopting a new modern Métis Nation Constitution. of the reporting burden and greater flexibility in budgeting for expected outcomes. This certainly is an important turning point in the federal Métis Nation relationship, and provides us the opportunity to solidify our governance and fiscal objectives as we move forward on the road to adopting a Métis Nation Constitution.

4 Fifth AAWG Meeting held in Winnipeg Top row (left to right): Melanie Omeniho, President- Women of the Metis Nation, Honourable David Zimmer (Ontario), Brian Skabar, MLA (Nova Scotia), AFN Regional Chief Cameron Alexis, AFN Regional Chief Morley Googoo, ITK President Terry Audla, National Chief Betty Ann Lavallée (CAP). Bottom row (left to right): Honourable David Alward (New Brunswick), Honourable Eva Qamaniq Aariak (Nunavut), NWAC Leader Michèle Audette, Honourable Eric Robinson (Manitoba), Honourable Robert McLeod (Northwest Territories), Minister Elizabeth Larouche (Quebec), Honourable Felix Collins (Newfoundland and Labrador). April 17, 2013 Winnipeg MB: The Métis National Council attended the fifth meeting of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG), which is made up of the Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and the leaders of the National Aboriginal Organizations. The AAWG s priorities are to close the graduation gap, close the income gap, and end violence against Aboriginal women and girls. The Métis National Council was asked to prepare short presentations on these key issues from a Métis perspective. The information presented by the MNC and other National Aboriginal Organizations are used to make recommendations for further action. A few of the recommendations coming out of this meeting were: to increase efforts to support safe communities and prevent violence a gainst Continued on next page

5 Aboriginal women and girls; to enhance skills training and educational opportunities; to continue to urge the federal government to participate actively as a full partner with the AAWG on the full spectrum of activities; to build strong relationships with Aboriginal communities to support economic development, to address housing challenges; and work with the federal government to enhance disaster support services on reserve. Melanie Omeniho, President of the Women of the Métis Nation, who headed up the MNC delegation for this AAWG session stated that the Métis Nation continues to support the efforts being undertaken by the Working Group on Violence against Aboriginal Women and Girls, and yes, we believe in the need for us to reach a consensus around this table. But it should not be a race to the lowest common denominator. It should be about seeking the best idea, the best approach. It should be about setting standards that are measurable and effective. We clearly need to be more outcome focused, and fully embrace the consensus decision arrived at today to call upon the federal government to hold a national public inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. President Clément Chartier stressed the importance of a distinctions-based approach to addressing issues by the AAWG: The work we have been doing on a long -term Métis economic development strategy provides clear evidence of the practical and meaningful progress that can be achieved when we have Ottawa, the five westernmost provinces and the Métis Nation fully engaged in a distinctionsbased, regionally focused process. The Métis National Council will continue to work within the three areas of interest outlined by the AAWG on an on-going basis and looks forward to tackling these issues on a distinctions-based approach in partnership with the five westernmost provinces, in particular through the MEDS process on economic development stated President Chartier. The results of today s meeting will be shared with the Premiers at the next COF meeting with the National Aboriginal Organization leaders this coming July 24, 2013 at Niagaraon-the-Lake. Ministers and leaders also agreed to meet again in November 2013 in Winnipeg to discuss progress on these activities.

6 Métis Rights Panel Continues itswork on MNC Constitution On April th, the MRP continued its discussions on the draft constitution of the Métis Nation, reviewing draft sections and consolidating language which best reflects the aspirations of the citizens of the Métis Nation f rom past expressions and gathered in the consultation process over the past few years. It is expected that there will be a further drafting session prior to the Governing Member Annual General Assemblies which will take place in August and September where the draft will be presented to the delegates for further input. The Daniels and MMF Decisions: Recognition of Métis Rights On April th the Pacific Business & Law Institute (PBLI) held a two day conference in Ottawa on these two important legal decisions. In Daniels the Federal Court ruled that the Métis fall within s.91(24) of the Constitution Act 1867, thereby falling within federal jurisdiction and in MMF, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Honour of the Crown was breached in the fulfillment of the 1.4 million acre land grant to Métis children under s.31 of the Manitoba Act The conference was Chaired by Jean Teillet who also spoke on who are the Métis. Presentations were also made by Jason Madden, Jim Aldridge (MMF lawyer), Frank Tough and President Chartier. Manitoba Metis Federation President, David Chartrand, gave a keynote address on the outcome of the case which began in 1981, faced tremendous challenges and eventually ended in victory and a vindication of the past and current leadership in their persistence in seeking justice in the face of the many roadblocks put up against them.

7 President Chartier Attends the TRC 5th National Event in Montreal The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) held its fifth national event Quebec Event in Montreal, Quebec from April 24-27, TRC e vents provide an important forum for those who were affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential School system to share their experiences with the Commission. They also serve to educate the Canadian public about Canada s 150-year history of residential schools, and the legacy of the schools for both Aboriginal communities and Canadian society as a whole. President Chartier presented a speech, continuing to make the Métis Nation s position clear with the respect to the settlement agreement, the apology and the TRC, along with the challenges Métis continue to face. The truth is that the exclusion of the Métis Nation, of the Métis people, f rom the agreement, the apology and the mandate of the TRC itself is reflected throughout this whole period, said president Chartier, we need to ensure that everyone is aware of that. It is therefore in the best interests of all Aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples in Canada that no one is left out and that a true and lasting reconciliation be vigorously pursued on the basis of the right of all Aboriginal peoples to exist within the Canadian state as equals, exercising the right of self-determination in its many manifestations President Chartier concluded.

8 Métis Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards the federal and provincial governments on a proposed national Métis economic development strategy which will open opportunities to Métis citizens throughout our homeland. This was supplemented by the recent court victories and the requirement that Canada seek a true and lasting reconciliation between the Métis and the rest of Canada. On Friday, April 19 th Region 3 of the Métis Nation of Alberta hosted their 15 th Annual Métis Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards in Calgary, Alberta. This highly successful event has seen an increase in the number of Métis entrepreneurs who have become actively engaged in the Region s activities. Awards were presented to men, women and youth in the categories of business recognition, career development, industr y and community development. President Chartier was the keynote speaker for the event and spoke about the entrepreneurial spirit of the Métis who were the backbone of the economy of the old Northwest in the 18 th & 19 th centuries through their industrious work and inventions such as the Red River Cart and York Boat as part of their role in the f reighting system throughout the prairies and subarctic, acting as provisioners of the fur trade through the buffalo hunts, fishing and trapping. President Chartier also spoke about the multilateral process between the Métis Nation and President Chartier concluded by thanking Marlene Lanz, Regional President and Joe Pimlott, Regional Vice President for their hard work in organizing the awards night, and congratulated all of the recipients for their accomplishments.

9 Métis Women of Saskatchewan General Meeting On April 7 th President Chartier addressed the general meeting of Métis Women of Saskatchewan in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Between delegates were in attendance and were briefed on the initiatives being undertaken by the Métis National Council, including the work on the residential schools issue, strengthening the relationship between the federal government and the Métis Nation, the proposed national Métis economic development strategy and the proposed Métis Nation constitution and the role of Métis women within the governance system of the Métis Nation. President Chartier Attends Meeting of the NWSMC and NWMO On Saturday, April 20 th, President Chartier attended a meeting of the northern Regions of the MNS (two of which form the North West Saskatchewan Métis Council) in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where a number of issues relevant to northern Saskatchewan were discussed, including the northwest Saskatchewan land claim litigation. Resource extractive industries and the duty to consult in light of Métis rights was also a topic of discussion. During the afternoon, the Regional Representatives met with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) which ga ve a presentation on the potential storage of nuclear fuel waste in northern Saskatchewan, and answered questions which meeting participants had. Potential sites in northern Saskatchewan which have expressed an interest are English River First Nation, Pinehouse and Creighton.

10 President Chartier Welcome Northern Artists April 25, 2013 Ottawa ON: President Chartier attended the Northern Scene Opening Ceremony at the National Arts Centre. At the Reception, he expressed his gratitude and support for all northern artists gathering in Ottawa this week for the Northern Scene Festival. Northern Scene kicked off its opening ceremony at the National Arts Centre this evening and will host events in the capital region, spanning 26 different venues, from April 25 to May 4, Offering a contemporary cultural snapshot of the North, this multi-disciplinary arts festival features the work of 250 of the best established and emerging artists from the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunatsiavut and Nunavik, including northern music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film, literature, storytelling, food and fashion events. It is the sixth in a series of biennial national festivals produced by the National Arts Centre to showcase the work of artists from specific regions in Canada. Northern Scene is a breath of fresh air, or some may say, an Arctic storm, hitting the nation s capitol where Indigenous peoples sometimes become part of the political reality of Canada, but never a significant force in the cultural life as will be witnessed during the next two weeks. The artistic expressions of our peoples is an anchor to the continued existence and survival of our respective Indigenous communities skillfully capturing the natural and spiritual essence of our being and environment, sometimes capturing the hope and despair faced by many, but in the end, showing the indomitable spirit of our peoples stated President Clément Chartier.

11 We Day On April 29 th, President Chartier spoke at We Day in Gatineau, Quebec to more than 2,000 youth aged from years. In a 4 minute address, President Chartier gave a quick snapshot of the Métis Nation, some of its challenges, and encouraged the youth present to make the effort to learn more about the Métis Nation. We Day is an annual event organized by Free the Children an international education and charity organization established in 1995 by Craig Kielburger. The annual We Day President Clément Chartier and Craig Kielburger brings together thousands of youth, educators, heroes, athletes, musicians and leaders who share stories of inspiration and hope, as well as adversity and encouragement. Free the Children operates both nationally and internationally, with domestic programs aimed at educating, engaging and empowering youth. UPCOMING EVENTS United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues May New York, NY Nagoya Protocol June 3-5 Montreal, QC OAS XLIII General Assembly June 4-6 Antigua, Guatemala National Aboriginal Day June 21 Ottawa, ON Back to Batoche July Batoche, SK

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