Village Council Split on Metis Sign Issue

Village Council Split on Metis Sign Issue

Tuesday, October 05, 2004 at 14:46

A plan to hold a public meeting this week in Buffalo Narrows regarding the Metis welcome sign controversy has been put on hold.

At the village council meeting last night, there was some talk about having a public meeting take place tomorrow night — but the council couldn’t reach a consensus.

Two councillors were absent during the discussion, including one who left the meeting before the issue came up.

Mayor Bobby Woods says there still might be a public meeting held at some point, but it probably won’t be happening tomorrow night.

Woods says a sign recently erected on the village’s outskirts that refers to Buffalo Narrows as a “Metis community” is disrespectful to residents who aren’t Metis, and may drive away non-Metis newcomers who want to settle there.

Local Metis Nation area director Philip Chartier feels the community should be declaring its Metis roots to take full advantage of a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court on Metis hunting rights.