2010 Declared The Year Of The Metis

2010 Declared The Year Of The Metis

Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 14:35

 

 

The provincial government has designated 2010 the Year of the Métis in Saskatchewan.

 

That was one of its commitments in yesterday’s Speech from the Throne.

 

The government says it will be working with the Metis Nation to honour the Trials of 1885 celebrations next year.

 

Metis Nation – Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette says this is a historic proclamation, adding he was “overwhelmed” and very proud to be a Metis yesterday.

 

Doucette says the government has done something “momentous”, adding that never before in Saskatchewan has there been recognition like this given to the Metis.

 

Doucette says this recognition will teach residents of the province about Metis people’s contributions to Saskatchewan.

 

Next year will mark the 125th anniversary of the Northwest Resistance.

 

Meanwhile, the throne speech is getting a failing grade from the NDP MLAs in the two northern constituencies.

 

The NDP Critic for Northern Affairs, Buckley Belanger, says the government has largely ignored northern people in the speech.

 

Belanger, who is the MLA for Athabasca, says there is very little mention of northern infrastructure, roads, safe neighbourhoods, and employment and training.

 

Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette claims the north wasn’t one of the government’s priorities when it drafted the throne speech.

 

He says it ignores the state of northern Saskatchewan roads, housing and addictions services.

 

Vermette says he worries the government has stretched itself too thin with commitments made in the southern part of the province.