Métis citizens gathered at the Eastend Hall in Prince Albert to show their support for two re-elected Métis Regional Directors barred from taking their oath of office.
Sherry McLennan, Western Region 2, and Wendy Gervais, Western Region 3, called a press conference there Thursday morning where they spoke about the ongoing situation and what they called a growing internal crisis in the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan.
The room was quickly filled as it appeared there was overwhelming support for the two women.
The hum of the room, amplified by the silence of those in attendance, showed a strong indication that citizens wanted to hear from the directors.
“We come before you today not just as elected regional representatives, but as proud Métis women who have carried the voices of all of our citizens with us through the democratic process,” said Wendy Gervais, Western Region 3 Director.
“Our message today is simple but urgent. We have been denied our rightful seat at the table, despite being re-elected by the citizens of our respective regions.”
MN-S has been working on constitutional reform initiatives, and discussions toward self-governance have taken place in Métis Nations Saskatchewan throughout the last two years.
Gervais stated that citizens repeatedly expressed they did not feel sufficiently engaged or consulted in these conversations in their regions.
They are now demanding transparency in decision-making on matters ranging from governance decisions, budgets, contracts, and salaries to even the qualifications of the senior staff.
During their address to the group, Sherry McLennan, Western Region 2 Director, stated what they would like to see from MN-S leaders and the next steps forward:
“ Acknowledge the procedural failings in the handling of our complaints.
Commit to an approach that respects the rights and dignity of all complainants, especially Métis women.
Ensure that our harassment complaints are taken seriously and reinvestigated through a fair, independent, and respectful process that complies with the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Executive Handbook.
Guarantee that all future investigations adhere strictly to the policy, including mutual agreement on a third-party investigator and timelines that allow for safe and supported participation.
Reaffirm a commitment to the safety and inclusion of Métis women within all levels of the Métis Nation’s Saskatchewan government structure.
Restore our seats at the table immediately and allow us to take our oath of office.”
The women stated that there is a pending legal matter that they could not speak to, but a statement was made that four women were under investigation and that the investigation was completed by MN-S legal.
“We have not been interviewed to this date,” said Gervais, regarding the investigation.
“Our nation was built on resistance, on standing up when the path forward was unjust, and on holding power accountable to the people. That is the spirit of Métis governance. Not isolation, not silence, not exclusion, not secrecy, but participation, debate, and collective leadership.”
The event attracted a crowd of about 100 people.
“Not happy that one of the people that I voted in wasn’t even allowed into the swearing ceremony,” said Wendy Pellegrini. When asked what steps she would like to see the MN-S take next? Peligrini explained, “I would like to see her be able to sit at the tables in the meetings, I would like her to be able to use her voice, which she has been stopped from doing. I would like to see the President, Vice President, secretary all follow the corporation’s documents.”
The Provincial Métis Council(PMC) released a statement on the matter on Thursday through Métis Nation-Saskatchewan communication avenues.
The statement continues to assert that the women will remain suspended from their duties on the PMC as no apology for their alleged harassment allegations have been provided.
The statement spoke on the harassment complaint by CEO Richard Quintal against McLennan, Gervais, and two previous elected individuals, something that was alluded to by the women at the press conference.
The statement from the PMC reads that Quintal’s harassment complaint against the four individuals was founded and he had been “discriminated against” and his “human rights had been violated.”
“This is a human rights issue – period,” Glen McCallum was quoted in the statement. “One of our staff was harassed in a very public forum and our government prides itself on being able to provide a safe work environment, free of that kind of treatment by elected or otherwise, and have taken the necessary steps to address the situation.”
The statement also says the PMC believes the results of the MN-S Election last month, have no bearing in the women’s responsibility to provide a public apology to the CEO, and therefore they will remain suspended.
The full statement is available here.
However, at this time no MN-S official has publicly stated what third-party investigated the allegations in the first place.
While the statement from the PMC declares Quintal’s human rights were violated, what actually transpired has never been publicly released.
MBC News asked MN-S officials if these harassment allegations were serious enough to warrant suspending these women from the PMC, why were they allowed to run in the May 24 election?
MBC News was directed to ask that question to the Chief Electoral Officer, which has been done with no response.
(With files from Joel Willick)