MNS Election Creating Rift At MNC

MNS Election Creating Rift At MNC

Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 14:28

 

 

Provincial Metis organizations across the country are divided about what role disputed Metis Nation of Saskatchewan leaders should play at the Metis National Council.

 

The issue is the controversial election in 2004 that got the MNS representatives to power.

 

Recently, the provincial Metis organizations in Alberta and B.C. passed motions that they would no longer participate in MNC meetings where MNS representatives were present.

 

In fact, according to an internal memo obtained by MBC, the presidents of both groups walked out of an MNC meeting earlier this week because MNS officials were taking part.

 

Metis activist Robert Doucette is commending both the Metis leaders in B.C. and Alberta for their stand, and says it’s time for the entire MNC to follow their lead.

 

The disputed MNS leadership still has the support of the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Metis Nation of Ontario.

 

Those three organizations ended up passing a motion to call off this weekend’s planned MNC general assembly in Winnipeg, and hold a Metis land rights conference instead.

 

Earlier this month, MNC president Clem Chartier announced his organization’s presidential election would be postponed until the fall — after the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Metis groups had their elections.