MNC :: Media

The Métis National Council is pleased to announce the formation of a Health Portal. This is a valuable health data tool which will allow you to research some key areas of concern with respect to Métis health issues. Please keep in mind, the Health Portal is still in the early stages of development and we will endeavour to provide updates as new data becomes available. Launch the tool

Métis National Council General Assembly adjourned due to disagreement on the composition of delegates

The delegates from the five Governing Members of the Métis National Council (MNC) were denied the opportunity to elect the President of the MNC at the General Assembly held in Ottawa on October 13th and 14th, due to the Assembly's inability to agree on the official delegate voting list. On Sunday afternoon the Assembly chair Dale LeClair adjourned the session and decided to redirect the issue back to the court. (October 17)

Métis National Council’s Presidential Election to be held on October 13th-14th

The Métis National Council announces that the Annual General Assembly and Election for the MNC President will take place on October 13th and 14th, 2007 in Ottawa at the Delta Ottawa hotel. (September 19)

Métis National Council congratulates Mr. Chuck Strahl on his appointment as the new Indian Affairs Minister and calls for addressing Aboriginal concerns

Métis National Council Interim President Bruce Dumont congratulates Mr. Chuck Strahl on his appointment as Canada’s new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. The Métis National Council is looking forward to continuing and deepening its relationship with the federal government in order to efficiently address the concerns of Métis and other Aboriginal peoples in Canada.(August 15)

Interim MNC President Dumont attends the Council of the Federation meeting

Métis National Council Interim President Bruce Dumont attended the Council of the Federation meeting held in Moncton on August 8th, where the leaders of the five National Aboriginal Organizations met with Canada’s’ Provincial and Territorial Premiers. (August 9)

Métis National Council’s Board of Governors appoints MNBC President Dumont MNC Interim President

The Métis National Council (MNC) has appointed an Interim President from among its Board of Governors to fill the vacancy created by the expiry of the term of office of Clément Chartier. Bruce Dumont, President of the Métis Nation British Columbia, has been named Interim President until elections for MNC President are held. (August 1)

MNC congratulates the newly elected MN-S leadership

The Métis National Council extends its congratulations to all the elected and acclaimed candidates in the Métis Nation -Saskatchewan election. Although official results will not be posted until later, The MNC extends its sincerest congratulatory sentiments to President-elect Mr. Robert Doucette, and the newly elected Provincial Métis Council. (June 28)

Women of the Métis Nation is hopeful after the National Aboriginal Women’s Summit

Women of the Métis Nation (WMN) is hopeful after the National Aboriginal Women’s Summit. At the closing of the summit on June 22, each of the national Aboriginal organizations, representatives from the provincial and territorial governments, and the federal government joined Premier Williams in committing to work with the national Aboriginal women’s organizations to further the recommendations made by Aboriginal women delegates in attendance at the summit. They also committed to continuing to work collectively by hosting additional summits that will continue to build on an action plan that will address the priorities of the organizations and the delegates attending the summit. (June 25)

Women of the Métis Nation will be an Active Participant in National Aboriginal Women’s Summit

The Métis National Council and Women of the Métis Nation are pleased to announce that they will be an active participant in the upcoming National Aboriginal Women’s Summit to be held June 20th - 22nd in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. (June 18)

The Métis Nation welcomes the passing of Bill C-292: An Act to implement the Kelowna Accord

Ottawa, ON (March 22, 2007) The Métis National Council is pleased to see that Bill C-292, which is of highest significance to the Métis Nation, passed third reading last night in the House of Commons. Bill C-292: An Act to implement the Kelowna Accord will now head to the Senate for royal ascent.

In November 2005, the historic First Ministers’ Meeting on Aboriginal Issues was held in Kelowna, B.C., representing the culmination of almost two years of hard work by federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal leadership.

All parties vowed to bridge the gap between Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians within a decade, by committing substantial investments to health, education, housing, and economic opportunities. The commitments made at this meeting became known as the Kelowna Accord.

The Métis National Council calls for eliminating racism from Canadian society

Ottawa, ON, (March 21, 2007) – “We live in a society of freedom. Canada is a beacon of democracy and social harmony, where all people are equal before law and various ethnic communities are free to celebrate their cultural and ethnic diversity. However, our society is not entirely immune to racism, as many members of Métis communities still live in conditions that are bellow the average of the rest of Canada,” said the Métis National Council President Clément Chartier on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, and in advance of the United Nations International Day for the Commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on March 25.

“Centuries of racial discrimination, segregation and slave trade have left a deep scar on the face of Canada. While Canadians and our government are celebrating abolition of these shameful practices, many Aboriginal and other Canadians belonging to visible minorities still feel their horrible consequences, being thrown at the margins of the society and denied their basic rights,” President Chartier said.

The 2007 Budget: A Missed Opportunity

Ottawa, ON (March 20, 2007) – David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Métis Federation and Minister of Finance for the Métis National Council (MNC), expressed disappointment with the 2007 Federal Budget announcement by the Honourable Jim Flaherty. President Chartrand explained that “despite the $11 billion spent on Aboriginal peoples, less than one percent is for Métis while the vast majority is allocated to First Nations and Inuit.”

Although the MNC is pleased the hopes and aspirations of certain segments of Canadian society have been addressed in this budget, the MNC feels there was a missed opportunity. We do not begrudge meeting the needs of others, but the MNC is concerned that this budget does not adequately deal with Métis challenges.

Métis National Council concerned about Edmonton Police Service exploitation of vulnerable Aboriginal women

Ottawa, ON (February 9, 2007) Métis National Council is deeply concerned about allegations that Aboriginal sex-trade workers were recruited to take drugs so they could be studied by the Edmonton Police in a training exercise.

Regardless of whether or not these women gave their consent to participate in this “training,” Métis National Council would never condone the use any vulnerable group for this type of investigative techniques. “By the Edmonton City Police, the Crown Prosecutor and the Métis Social Agency, using these marginalized Aboriginal women for experimental purposes and depriving them of their dignity is a tantamount to breach of trust,” Vice-President of the Métis National Council David Chartrand says.

Health Canada and Métis National Council announce $10 M funding to improve the Health of Métis People

OTTAWA (February 6, 2007) - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and the Métis National Council Minister of Health David Chartrand, today announced the $10 million Health and Human Resources Initiative to improve health of Métis people. The news conference and signing ceremony took place at the Crowne Plaza in Ottawa.

This funding of $10 million over four years will increase the number of Métis students pursuing careers in health sciences through bursaries and scholarships and build the capacity of Métis organizations to engage in health human resource planning. The program’s objective is to reduce long-term wait times and address the shortage of personnel in the field, also providing a cultural context for non-Métis health personnel working in Métis communities. The HHRI is a part of Health Canada’s new Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative which will develop health human resources strategies that respond to the unique needs and diversity among Métis, First Nations, and Inuit.

January

Métis National Council Reacts To Conservative Government's "Error" on Inclusion of Ile a la Crosse Residential School

Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council, expressed disappointment today with respect to the Conservative Government’s announcement it would not follow through on its election commitment to include the Ile a la Crosse Residential School in the Government of Canada’s Residential School compensation package. The Ile a la Crosse Residential School was attended by a significant number of Métis students from throughout Northern Saskatchewan.

During the last federal election campaign, the Conservative Party released a radio ad in Northern Saskatchewan in which Conservative Leader Stephen Harper stated, “… a Conservative government in Ottawa would address issues important to Aboriginal people, including full compensation for residential school survivors, including those who attended the Ile a la Crosse school.” (January 18)

Métis Nation Congratulates Federal Cabinet Ministers on their Appointments
The Métis Nation congratulates all Federal Ministers who received new appointments today as part of the Cabinet Shuffle. The Métis National Council welcomes the opportunity to move ahead with all Minsters in addressing the myriad of issues that face the Métis Nation and, in particular, resuming on going discussions with the Hon. Jim Prentice who remains as Minister in charge of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and non-Status Indians. MNC President Clément Chartier says, “I personally, would like to meet with all Ministers at the earliest opportunity in our goal to establish a constructive government to government relationship with the Government of Canada and to address the many issues of mutual concern to the Government and the Métis Nation.” (January 04)

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