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2002
December
President
Gerald Morin seeking treatment after charge laid
Gerald Morin, President of the Métis
National Council confirms the charges of December 11, 2002. President
Morin offers his most sincere apologies, "My actions were reprehensible but
I take full responsibility for my behavior. I apologize to the Métis
people for any embarrassment that I have caused and will do what ever
I can to earn their trust and respect once again." (Dec 31)
Métis
Community to host Christmas Feast in Saskatoon, SK
The Métis National Council, along
with the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MNS) and the Métis
Addictions Council of Saskatchewan (MACSI) are hosting a Christmas
Feast, with all the trimmings on December 21st, 2002 at the White
Buffalo Youth Lodge in Saskatoon, SK. The feast will begin at 12:00pm
and will continue on until 4:00pm. In addition to the feast,
there will be entertainment, featuring the local "Maple Sugar" band,
as well as Métis singers Phillip Boyer and Eric Dorian. (Dec
19)
Michif
Language Forgotten in Minister Copps' Announcement
The MNC is disappointed with the announcement
made by the Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today
stating that the federal government is providing $172.5 million
in funding to establish and operate a new Aboriginal Languages
and Cultures centre with no commitment to the Michif language
and no say for the Metis National Council or it's member provincial
organizations. David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba
Metis Federation has echoed his disappointment and criticized
the initiatives pan-aboriginal concept. "From past experiences
with pan-Aboriginal programs, the Metis Nation and our priorities
get swamped." (Dec 19)
President
Morin Condemns anti-Semitic remarks
Gerald Morin, President of the Métis
National Council says, "The MNC joins with all right-minded people
across Canada, including other Aboriginal people who have condemned
the statements made by David Ahenakew, the former leader of the
Assembly of First Nations". President Morin, called the anti-Semitic
statements quoted in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix as, "hateful
and completely unacceptable." He then added, "As the national
representative of the Métis people of the traditional
Métis homeland, I offer my sincere regrets to the Jewish
people who have been hurt by those words." (Dec 17)
November
Romanow
Report on HealthCare offers very little for Métis people
Gerald Morin, President of the Metis National
Council has dismissed the value of the Royal Commission on Health
Care's proposed solutions for Aboriginal Health because it "provides
nothing specific for the Metis people and completely ignores
the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People." "The Royal Commission
on Aboriginal Peoples made it clear that pan-Aboriginal solutions
do not work," he
said. "Metis people have been the most underserved by the health
care system and there is little in the Romanow report to suggest
that is going to change." Harley Desjarlais president of the Metis
Provincial Council of British Columbia and Minister of Health
for the Metis National Council says the recommendations in the
report fail to provide anything concrete to the Metis. (Nov 29)
Romanow
Commission to release report on Canada's Health Care
The report that will set the agenda for
health care in Canada will be released to the public this Thursday,
November 28, 2002. The Commission on the Future of Health in
Canada traveled across the country listening to individuals,
stakeholders, elected leaders and many others about the state
and future of health care. The commission is headed by former Saskatchewan
Premier, Roy Romanow and was launched on April 6, 2002. Gerald
Morin, President of the Métis
National Council (MNC) made a presentation to the commission
in Calgary, AB on July 23, 2002. During this presentation, the
MNC committed to "working with the commission towards ensuring
the long-term sustainability of a high quality, universal, publicly
administered health system, one that addresses and serves a diverse
Aboriginal population - however, the health system must serve
the needs of and contribute to the health and wellness of the
Métis people." (Nov
28)
President
Gerald Morin to present Four Métis
Veterans with Golden Jubilee Medals
This Remembrance Day, Monday November 11th,
Gerald Morin, President of the M étis National Council
(MNC) will be attending two ceremonies in the province of Saskatchewan
to honour Métis Veterans. President Morin will be presenting
4 Métis
Veterans with Golden Jubilee Medals. These medals were provided
to the MNC for presentation by the Governor General of Canada
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's
reign. (Nov 8)
President
Gerald Morin makes presentation to Standing Committee on Finance
Today, Gerald Morin, President of the Metis
National Council will make a pre-budget submission to the Standing
Committee on Finance. This is the first time the MNC has made
a presentation to the committee. President Morin will take the
opportunity to educate the Committee on who the Metis people
are and to identify the Metis Nation's priorities and issues
for this upcoming budget. The Standing Committee on Finance will
make recommendations to the Finance minister regarding the next
federal budget. The committee has established two themes for
the proceedings - "How Canada can best assure greater levels
of economic prosperity, widely shared by all Canadians. And how
the government can best assure the highest quality of life for
all." (Nov 7)
October
MMF
applauds CBC series on Louis Riel
MMF President David Chartrand applauded
Canadians who participated in the CBC/Dominion Institute internet
poll where 87% of the approximately 10,000 participants found
Louis Riel not guilty of high treason. During a forum of Metis
youth and leaders last night, it became clear that the cause
of Louis Riel and the Metis Nation received a great profile due
to the three shows aired by CBC Newsworld from October 21-23,
2002. "I am proud of the way the true history
of the Metis and Canada is starting to be shown to Canadians," said
Chartrand. "Although we would like to be consulted, it was apparent
that a great deal of thought and historical context went into
the three programs. I believe it is understood that the person
in the role of the prosecutor was just that, in the role of the
prosecutor. His statements were meant to convict Riel - but we
do take issue with his characterization of the Metis people -
nothing he said can take away our pride in our accomplishments
and ourselves. Louis Riel fought and died for the rights of his
people and we are still talking about him 117 years after his
murder. And when Canadians understood the cause of the Metis
Nation and what Riel really stood for, they have voted on the
side of Justice." (Oct
24)
MMF
Land Claims case closer to trial
MMF President David Chartrand participated
in cross-examination for discovery this week with crown attorneys
from Manitoba and Canada. As these processes move forward, the
MMF is more hopeful that a date will soon be chosen for the case
to be heard at trial. "I know that the Metis people are anxious
for us to be taking their grievances to court," said Chartrand. "The
frustrations of the Metis Nation is becoming more evident but
I also know we are a patient people. We have confidence in our
case, not only because the issue is one of justice and fairness
but also because the evidence is so overwhelming in our favour." (Oct
24)
CBC
Betrays mandate with airing of "The Re-trial
of Louis Riel"
The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) today
charged that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has
betrayed it's mandate, it's commitments and it's responsibilities
with respect to the Metis people of Canada and the Canadian public-at-large
as regulated and directed by the Canadian Radio and Television
Commission (CRTC). The CBC is scheduled to air the "Re-trial
of Louis Riel" program tomorrow on CBC's all news channel, Newsworld.
The program in question is presenting a fictional trial of Riel
allowing some of Canada's most famous lawyers to make up prosecution
and defense cases twisting yesterday's facts with today's law.
The program has taken a seminal event in Canadian history and
Canadian justice and turned it into a fantasy. (Oct 21)
Métis
Nation Makes Formal Complaints Against CBC'a 'Retrial of Louis
Riel' to Parliament and the CRTC
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)
will hold a press conference to announce its formal complaints
filed with Parliament and the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
(CBC) on the upcoming scheduled airing of the 'Retrial of Louis
Riel'. Tony Belcourt, President of the MNO who
is also the Métis National Council's (MNC) Minister responsible
for International Affairs and the Métis Nation Agenda,
Gerald Morin, President of the MNC and Jason Madden, Legal Counsel
to the MNC will be in attendance. (Oct
18)
September
Métis
Veterans Honoured With Golden Jubilee Medals
Twenty veterans were awarded Golden Jubilee
Medals in Edmonton last weekend as a part of an awards ceremony
held in honour of all M étis Veterans on Friday, September
27, 2002. The Métis National Council was provided
with 20 Golden Jubilee Medals by the Governor General of Canada,
commemorating the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty's reign. The
Métis National Council chose to award the medals to 20
Métis veterans. The veterans accepted the awards on behalf
of themselves and their fellow Métis veterans across Canada.
(Sep 30)
Métis
Leaders Adopt National Defintion of Métis & Vote
for Nation Wide Ballot Box Elections
The Metis National Council (MNC) made history
today by becoming the first national Metis organization in Canada
to approve nation-wide ballot box elections for a national leader
and adopting a definition of Metis. Delegates who are attending
the MNC's 18th Annual Assembly in Edmonton this weekend voted
unanimously to support the nation-wide ballot box election for
President and mandated the Board of Governors of the MNC to develop
the process for approval by next year's assembly. "For the first time in our
history it gives our people the right to vote for the national
leadership. Power to the people. We're not just saying it we're
doing it." Said
Gerald Morin, President of the Metis National Council. After
another long debate, delegates also voted unanimously in favour
of permanently adopting a national definition of Metis. In a
controversial move, Metis leaders attending the assembly accepted
the definition, which ties Metis to the historic Metis Nation.
(Sep 27)
Métis
National Council to Hold 18th Annual Assembly in Edmonton
The Métis National Council will
hold its 18th Annual General Assembly in Edmonton Alberta on
September 26 - 28th, 2002, the theme being "A Celebration of
Strength". Métis leaders from Ontario, Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia will gather to discuss
the many challenges facing citizens of the Métis Nation.
Among issues to be on the agenda, delegates are expected to hold
a vote on the controversial Métis definition. On Friday,
September 27th, in a special ceremony Métis Veterans will
be honoured and 20 Veterans will be given the Governor General's
Golden Jubilee Medal in an evening ceremony. Métis Veterans
have been excluded from the current deal of compensation to First
Nations veterans by the Canadian Government this past spring.
(Sep 25)
Métis
prison guards act as role models 'This is a good thing to better
our people'
Métis graduates Trudy Chaboyer ,
Florian Buors and Brent Murray look forward to working as corrections
officers. A program that prepares Metis people to be corrections
officers aims to reduce the high number of prison inmates of
aboriginal descent. A job in a jail isn't considered a career
of choice for many aboriginal people, said Florian Buors, a 25-year-old
Metis man from St. Laurent. "I'd never thought of a career in
corrections," Buors
said yesterday at the graduation ceremony for himself and 10
other young people who took part in the Correction Officers Pre-Training
Course in Stonewall. Although fewer than 10 per cent of Manitobans
are of first nations descent, they represent an estimated 70
per cent of the prison population, said Oliver Monkman, vice-president
of the Interlake Metis Association. It set up the training program
in partnership with the federal and provincial corrections departments
with funding from the Manitoba Metis Federation. (Sep
7)
August
Métis
National Council does not condone CBC's "Retrial
of Louis Riel"
The Métis National Council, the
Nationally and Internationally recognized representative of the
Métis Nation in Canada, expressed its bitter disappointment
over the actions that CBC and the Dominion Institute have taken
with regards to the so-called 're-trial of Louis Riel. "CBC is
a public institution that is supposed to be reflective of the values
and diversity of all Canadians" stated
President Gerald Morin. "It is difficult to determine if going
forward with this mock re-trial that this is a glimpse into the
direction of government policy or Canadian public opinion. Not
only does the mock retrial question the history of this country
and the integrity of a people, but it also vilifies the Métis
of today, our contributions to this country, and our aspirations
of tomorrow." (Aug 23)
July
What
is the Métis National Council ?
The Métis National Council (MNC)
represents the contemporary existence of the historic Métis
Nation of western Canada at the national and international level.
The MNC is formed by the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba
Métis Federation, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan,
Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Provincial
Council of British Columbia ("Governing Members") coming together
to mandate a national governance structure. The MNC's main goal
as the representative body of the Métis people within
Canada is to move forward on implementing the Métis Nation's
inherent right to self-government at a community, regional and
national level. The MNC pushes forward on a rights-based agenda
to achieve this aspiration through pursuing political relationships
(i.e. advocating for negotiations with the federal government
on Métis rights and self-government),
litigation and strengthening Métis governance. (July
25)
Métis
Nation And Government Of Canada Enter Into Unprecedented Discussions On Métis
Rights And Land Issues
The Métis National Council (MNC)
and Government of Canada will immediately begin exploratory discussions
on an array of identified issues, including Métis rights
and land issues, in order to assess whether there is a basis
for future negotiations and to determine next steps. Gerald Morin,
President of the MNC and Ralph Goodale, Minister for Public Works
and Government Services and the Federal Interlocutor for Métis
and Non-Status Indians met today in Batoche to initiate the process.
As well, President Morin and Minister Goodale will make a formal
announcement today at the opening ceremonies of the annual 'Back
to Batoche' celebrations. (July
25)
Métis
Senator John B. Boucher, of St. Louis, Sask. appointed as a
Member to the Order of Canada
Métis Senator John B. Boucher of St.
Louis Saskatchewan has been appointed as a Member of the Order
of Canada, Canada's highest honour for lifetime achievement for the
category of Voluntary Service. Senator Boucher is a highly respected
Elder and a distinguished Senator of the Métis Nation -
Saskatchewan. For more than 40 years, he has worked on behalf of
Aboriginal people as an unwavering advocate of Métis rights,
self-governance and the fair negotiation of land claims. Active
in the St. Louis Métis Local, he has also worked on behalf
of the Métis National Council. (July
9)
June
Métis
National Council demands action and assistance for Métis
Veterans : Métis National Council demands action and assistance for Métis Veterans
The Metis National Council called on the federal
government to treat Metis Veterans with respect and fairness
in light of last week's announcement. Last Friday, the Government
of Canada announced a compensation package for Aboriginal Veterans.
However, Metis Veterans were specifically excluded in this program
that is not geared for Aboriginal Veterans but rather for First
Nations Veterans. David Chartrand is the MNC Minister responsible
for Metis Veterans and he was very worried that Metis Veterans
were being ignored by the government. "Our Metis Veterans believed in
our country and fought for the ideals and freedoms we enjoy today," said
Chartrand. "I find it unbelievable that our veterans, who lost their
friends and many who are disabled from the battles, are left
out of the process. Canada must recognize it has a duty to the
Metis Nation and this must begin with the Metis Veterans." (June
27)
First
Nation, Métis acquire Lakota Drilling
rigs; Investment, training, ownership enhance group involvement
in oilpatch economy
Alberta's First Nation and Métis populations
today took yet another significant step in becoming more directly
involved in exploration activities related to Alberta's oil and
natural gas resources. EnCana Corporation, the largest driller
in Canada, today hosted and participated in a ceremony with representatives
of the Dene Tha' First Nation, the Metis Nation of Alberta Association,
and Lakota Drilling that signaled a transfer of ownership and
eventual full operatorship of three heavy duty drilling rigs.
EnCana also announced a separate agreement with Saddle Lake First
Nation to contract that group's Lakota drilling rig, also for
work at EnCana sites in Alberta and northeast British Columbia.
(June 18)
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