Back to Batoche 2011 - Métis National Council

Office of the President
August
June 2011
Back to
Batoche
2011
Office of the President
August
June 2011
Office of the President
August 2011
Taiwan Delegation Visits President Chartier
O
n July 26th, Mr. Bill Chen, Director of the
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Canada met with President Chartier as part of a
Taiwan Youth Ambassadors trip to Canada. Mr.
Chen introduced Assistant Professor Ian Lee,
and 6 students from the Overseas Chinese
University of Taiwan.
President Chartier spoke to the students for
an hour explaining the history of the Métis
Nation and some of the contemporary issues
faced by the Métis. After an exchange of gifts,
the students did a traditional dance for President
Chartier and the staff at the office.
NACOSAR Committee Meets in Saskatoon
The National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk met
July 21 – 23, 2011 in Saskatoon to discuss progress on
policy advice to the Minister of Environment Canada and
the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council.
The Council is working to ensure that the Environment
Canada, as well as provincial and territorial governments
are aware of the issues national Aboriginal organizations
have raised regarding the Species at Risk Act and policies
of implementation. In addition, NACOSAR is working to
build community networks and educational information to (L-R) Raymond Laliberte – Métis Nation NACOSAR
assist in linking Aboriginal community perspectives to its
member, Clifford Ray – President, Northern
Saskatchewan Trappers Association (NACOSAR
work. Over the past year, NACOSAR has included one
guest), Eric Morris – AFN Regional Chief, Yukon &
day with each of its meetings to visit First Nations, Métis
NACOSAR Chair
and Inuit community locations and directly hear
community concerns about species at risk and the Species
at Risk Act. This year saw NACOSAR visit the Batoche National Historic Site and the Back to Batoche
Festival. The Batoche area is home to the Sprague‘s Pipit that is an endangered species Barn Swallow which
is a threatened species listed on Schedule One. The Métis National Council is engaged with NACOSAR as
part of the Policy and Planning Committee.
Office of the President
August 2011
Message from the President
T
he theme for this first year of the Decade of the Métis Nation
(2011-2020) is ―Paying Tribute to Our Métis Veterans‖. Much is
owed to the Métis Nation veterans, particularly those who served in
World War II.
Many of these brave men and women were becoming actively
engaged in the struggle for Métis rights to land in the 1930s. With the
outbreak of war in 1939, Métis Nation citizens in large numbers joined
the battle against the forces of aggression and for the liberation of Nazi
-occupied countries in Europe. Set aside was the quest for a land base
at home.
Many of these patriots did not make it home. Those that did were
met with the same challenges from which they had taken a leave.
Benefits were denied them. Recognition of their contributions was
overlooked. They came back to where they left off. A Canada
indifferent to Métis.
Many, however, were armed with a renewed vigor and determination, and became the leaders once
again in the struggle for rights and justice. They had seen what it was like to be liberated, and were
determined to fight for that same sense of liberation here at home.
In honour of these brave men and women, the Métis Nation at Batoche, the historic battleground and
sacred site for the Métis, presented plaques of recognition to 14 veterans of WWII, the Korean Conflict
and peacetime service. The Order of the Métis Nation was also awarded collectively to all Métis Nation
WWII veterans for their service to their Nation, their country and the world. Individualized Orders of
the Métis Nation were presented to the 4 WWII Métis Nation veterans in attendance and as other living
WWII Métis Nation veterans are identified, they as well will be presented the individualized Order.
Upcoming National Events
MNA Annual General Meeting
MNO Annual General Assembly
MMF Annual General Assembly
MNBC Annual General Assembly
Aug. 12 - 14
Aug. 20 - 22
Sept. 10 - 11
Sept. 24 & 25
Grande Prairie, AB
Parry Sound, ON
Brandon, MB
Abbotsford, BC
Office of the President
August 2011
President Chartier Attends Council of the Federation
Meeting
O
n July 20th President Chartier
attended the annual Council
of the Federation meeting held in
Vancouver, and chaired by Premier
Christy Clark. This meeting was
preceded by a meeting attended by
President Chartier, President
Simon of ITK and National Chief
Atleo of the AFN where a
common position was adopted on
a proposal to move forward on the
call for a First Ministers Meeting
(FMM) on Aboriginal Issues, and
the sharing of their respective
positions on a distinctions-based
approach.
The outcome of the meeting
with the Premiers was quite
positive with a consensus
agreement by all parties to once
again call on the Prime Minister to
call an FMM on education. There
was also an agreement to strike a
smaller committee of several
Premiers and Aboriginal Leaders
charged with pressing for this
FMM as well as other matters with
the Prime Minister.
Of note for the Métis Nation,
the Premiers of Ontario, Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, Alberta and British
Columbia agreed once again that if
the federal government invites their
governments and the Métis Nation
to the table that they will
participate. This is based on the
2008 Métis Nation Protocol
entered into between the Métis
Nation and the federal
government, preceded by a
commitment by those same
Premiers in July 2008 that if the
federal government invited them to
the table, along with the MNC, that
they would attend.
Under this process the Métis
Nation has had success on
economic development through
the Métis Economic Development
Symposium (MEDS) process, and
we now wish to do the same with
education and health.
Office of the President
August 2011
Métis Nation Hosts Indian Leader From Peru
F
rom July 9 to July 25, President Chartier
hosted President Hugo Tacuri, of the
Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of
Peru (CONAIP), along with his advisor and
interpreter, Pedro Huamani. Both President
Tacuri and advisor Huamani are from
Ayacucho, Peru in the Andes and are
Quechua Indians.
The visit by President Tacuri involved
meetings with various federal government
departments, embassies and nongovernmental organizations in both Ottawa
and Montreal. President Tacuri also visited
northwest Saskatchewan and attended the
Back to Batoche Days.
While at Batoche, President Tacuri and
President Chartier at the Métis National
Council‘s Board of Governors meeting
signed a Treaty of Friendship and
Cooperation between the Métis Nation and
the Confederation. Under this Treaty, the
Métis Nation will work with CONAIP to
strengthen relationships between the
Indigenous peoples of North America, with
those in Central and South America. In
addition, the Métis Nation government,
represented by the Métis National Council,
will jointly apply with CONAIP to the
federal government‘s CIDA/IPPP program
to undertake a project dealing with food
security in Peru.
Office of the President
August
June 2011
Métis Nation Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision
on Alberta Métis Settlements
O
n July 21, 2011 the Supreme Court of Canada
handed down its unanimous decision in
Cunningham v. Alberta, which further affirms the
recognition of the Métis Nation as a distinct rightsbearing Aboriginal people, and ensures that the Métis
Settlements in Alberta will continue to be protected and
controlled by Métis for Métis for generations to come.
The Cunningham case is about the eight Alberta
Métis Settlements and the membership requirements of
the Settlements, which include provisions that exclude
Indians from membership. These Settlements are the
only recognized Métis Nation land base in Canada, so
far. As such, they are important to Métis Settlement
members, Alberta Métis as well as the entire Métis
Nation.
The Cunninghams were removed as members of the
Peavine Métis Settlement because they registered as
Indians under the Indian Act. Sections 75 and 90 of the
Métis Settlements Act provide that if Métis Settlement
members voluntarily register as Indians they automatically
terminate their membership in the Métis Settlement. The
Cunninghams argued that sections 75 and 90 of the Métis
Settlements Act violated their Charter rights, including,
their equality rights under s. 15 of the Charter.
At trial, the Alberta Court of Queen‘s Bench found
that there was no violation of Cunningham‘s Charter
rights. On appeal, the Alberta Court of Appeal found
that the Cunningham‘s s. 15 equality rights were violated
and struck down section 75 and 90 of the Métis
Settlements Act. The Supreme Court overturned the
Alberta Court of Appeal‘s decision and found that the
exclusion of Indians from the Métis Settlements is
constitutionally sound and connected to the objects of the
Métis Settlements which includes the establishment of a
Métis land base, the protection of Métis culture and the
creation of Métis self-government.
Métis National Council President Clément Chartier
applauded the decision as a further affirmation of the
recognition of the Métis Nation as a distinct people,
separate and apart from Indian and Inuit peoples. ―In
this decision, the Supreme Court acknowledges the
longstanding struggle of the Métis Nation in Canada to
have our rights and interests recognized by governments,
including, the recognition of Métis lands. The court
affirms and protects the Alberta Métis Settlements, as a
part of the Crown-Métis reconciliation process. The
court also recognizes that addressing these Métis lands
and rights issues remain unfinished business in Canada.‖
Notably, on this issue the Supreme Court wrote, ―[c]
aught between two larger identities and cultures, the Métis
have struggled for more than two centuries for
recognition of their own unique identity, culture and
governance. The constitutional amendments of 1982 and,
in their wake, the enactment of the MSA [Métis
Settlements Act], signal that the time has finally come for
recognition of the Métis as a unique and distinct people.
The Supreme Court also recognized that the Métis
have the right to exclude other Aboriginal peoples in
defining who they are and in their negotiations with
governments for Métis-specific agreements and
arrangements. Specifically, the Supreme Court wrote, the
―object of enhancing the identity, culture and selfgovernance of the Métis as a s. 35 group, of necessity,
must permit the exclusion of other s. 35 groups since an
essential part of their unique identity is that they are ―not
Indian‖ and ―not Inuit‖.‖ The court also emphasized that
―in any identification of Métis courts must approach the
task of reviewing membership requirements with
prudence and due regard to the Métis‘ own conception of
the distinct features of their community.‖
―The Métis Nation is extremely pleased with today‘s
decision. While this case protects the Alberta Métis
Settlements for Métis for generations to come, it also
sends a clear message to governments that outstanding
Métis land and rights issues must be addressed as a part of
the reconciliation process flowing from s. 35 of the
Constitution Act, 1982 and the legitimate expectations of
Métis pursuant to that constitutional promise,‖ concluded
President Chartier.
Office of the President
August
June 2011
Métis Nation Youth gather for Leadership Camp on
Residential, Boarding and Day Schools
development of a
social media
framework which
will be implemented
by the Métis
National Council to
inform the public.
Métis National
Council President
Clément Chartier
says, ―This was the
first time that youth
have been engaged
in being educators
on the issues of
Residential, Boarding
and Day Schools in
the search for truth
and reconciliation.
Having the youth
utilize the tools of
today to promote
wenty-Five youth from across healing and to help Canadians
the Métis Nation Homeland
understand the impacts that have
gathered in Saskatoon for a Méits
been left on our families and
Youth Leadership Camp which
communities was a unique and
focused on the Legacy of Residential
significant approach to the sharing
Schools and its impact on our Families
of knowledge.‖
and Communities. The four-day camp
The youth heard stories from
was hosted at the historical site of
Métis survivors on their experiences
Batoche, during the Back to
and how it affected their lives and
Batoche Days. The goal of the
their ability to parent and build
leadership camp was to combine
relationships. Other sessions
social networking tools and
included Métis Nation History,
resources to ‗share the story‘ of the Social Media Planning, Strategic
Residential, Boarding and Day
Communications, the creation of a
School experiences through the
―Past, Present and Future Mural‖
T
and the opportunity to meet with
fourteen Métis Nation veterans.
―The Métis National Council
continues to seek recognition for
Métis survivors who have not been
acknowledged by the government
of Canada‘s Indian Residential
Schools Settlement Agreement and
apology,‖ says Chartier. ―I am
proud that these youth have come
with open ears, minds and the
strength to help share the truths of
the Residential, Boarding and Day
school experience that has scarred
our nation. The work they have
accomplished has exceeded my
expectations – this group of Métis
youth are our future leaders.‖
The strategic promotional
campaign created by the youth will
be used to educate the general
public as well as for a proposed
Métis Residential Schools
Conference in 2012.
The youth became artists as they created a
mural that incorporated their thoughts and
feelings on Residential, Boarding and Day
Schools
Office of the President
August
June 2011
Métis Veterans honoured at historic Batoche – WWII Veterans
receive Prestigious Order of the Métis Nation
M
étis Veterans from
across the
Homeland were honoured
on July 23rd for their
dedication and sacrifice
on behalf of Canada and
the Métis Nation at a
commemoration
ceremony in historic
Batoche, Saskatchewan.
Fourteen Veterans who
served in World War II,
the Korean Conflict and
during Peace Time were
presented with honourary
plaques as a symbol of the
Métis Nation‘s
appreciation for their
service during important
times.
During the
commemoration
ceremony, WWII veterans
were honoured with the
prestigious Order of the
Métis Nation, the Métis
Nation‘s highest honour.
More than 200 Métis
Nation citizens, friends of
the Métis and honoured
guests watched as each of
the WWII veterans
received a sash with the
crest of the Order of the
Métis Nation along with a
certificate and medal.
―The timing of this
award to our WWII
veterans is important
because unfortunately, we
are losing them quickly,‖
says Métis National
Council President
Clément Chartier.
―Veterans Affairs needs
to take the initiative to
acknowledge and
compensate these heroes
for their service to
Canada and the pain and
suffering they endured if
they were lucky enough to
return home. Our Métis
Veterans have yet to be
recognized and the Métis
Nation will continue to
fight for their rights, as
they fought for ours‖.
Also receiving the
Order of the Métis Nation
was former Minister of
Indian Affairs and
Northern Development
and Federal Interlocutor
for Métis, Chuck Strahl
who joined President
Chartier in the signing of
the historic Métis Nation
Protocol in 2008. The
Protocol laid out a
framework for working
collaboratively between
the Government of
Canada and Métis Nation.
Mr. Strahl was also
instrumental in ensuring
Métis Veterans are
featured at the Juno
Beach Canada Centre in
Normandy, France. In
2009, he accompanied
Métis Nation Veterans to
Juno Beach where
President Chartier and he
unveiled a Red River Cart
exhibit, which will stand
as a lasting tribute to the
sacrifice made by our
Métis Veterans in
liberating Europe.
In December 2010,
the Métis Nation declared
2011-2020 ―Decade of the
Métis Nation” a vision for
the next ten years, each
year to be dedicated to a
specific theme. This year,
2011, being dedicated to
―Paying Tribute to our
Métis Veterans,‖ which
the Métis Nation, as in
past, will always continue
to do.
More veterans photos on next page
Office of the President
August
June 2011
Métis Nation Health Committee holds successful meeting in
Saskatoon
O
n July 25 & 26th, the Métis Nation Health
Committee (MNHC) gathered in Saskatoon,
SK to continue their dialog and planning.
The group touched base on the current state of
the Mental Health Strategy Action Plan which will be
sent to the Mental Health Commission of Canada
and will include the Métis perspective—something
that the committee is striving to include in as many
papers, projects and proposals as possible moving
forward.
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
(CPAC) was invited to present the status of the First
Nations, Inuit and Métis Action Plan on Cancer Control to
the committee, after which time the health
committee provided Métis-specific feedback to take
back to their partners for inclusion.
On the second day, the committee was joined by
the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), a body
that the MNHC has been working closely with, to
share a brief presentation on a national dialogue
process which was followed by a discussion on the
burdens of childhood obesity.
The group was also introduced to a new
information sharing tool which has been developed
by the Métis National Council to assist the
committee with internal communications such as to
post, read and edit documents, which can then be
shared amongst the members of the committee.
This new communications tool has been launched
MNC has a new website! Check out www.metisnation.ca
Have a question? Email [email protected]
Office of the President
August
June 2011