The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) says it is withdrawing from the Métis National Council “effective immediately.”
In a statement issued Thursday, MN-S President Glen McCallum said a resolution was presented at a regular meeting and passed.
“This was not a decision our government made lightly but one we felt necessary,” McCallum said in the statement. “Our MN–S government and our Métis communities need to have control over our identity and culture while making decisions that align with the values of our Saskatchewan Métis Nation.”
In a resolution passed Thursday morning, the MN-S said the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), which is a member of the national body, accepts and continues to represent people who are not Métis.
It also says the MNC has failed to ensure the integrity of the Ontario group’s citizenship registry and not rectified it, despite constant calls to do so.
MNC, in response to a request for comment from APTN News, said it respected the decision of MN-S to withdraw from the organization.
‘‘The Métis Nation has the right to self-determination, and with that so does each Métis government,” MNC said. “We learned today that the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN-S) has decided to remove itself from the Métis National Council to refocus its priorities solely on the pursuit of self-government and treaty for Saskatchewan Métis citizens.
“Since 1983, the MNC has been the national and international voice for the Métis Nation, receiving its mandate and direction from the MNC Governing Members. With these recent developments, President Caron will be meeting with MNC’s Governing Members to discuss next steps. We will share more information as it arises. We look forward to future collaboration with Métis Governments across the Homeland.”
The MN-S withdrawal comes on the heels of another major development.
On Sept. 13, it was announced that a gathering to elect a new president of the MNC had been postponed.
The election was set to take place in Saskatoon on Sept. 26. The postponement followed another resolution passed by the MN-S calling for the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) to be removed from the MNC.
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There is no specific mention of the MNO in Thursday’s statement from the MN-S.
“After talking to Métis citizens over the last several months about Kishchi Mashinaayikun Ooshchi Michif – the Sacred Document from the Michif treaty process – MN–S has refocused its priorities and determined it is in the strongest position to independently advocate for Métis citizens in Saskatchewan with all other governments,” said the statement.
MN-S said it decided that “participation in the MNC is no longer necessary or beneficial to the work of our nation.”
The statement said MN-S is “committed to working alongside other legitimate Métis governments representing those with section 35 rights, across the Homeland independent of the MNC structure.”
“This is a great day for our Métis Nation within Saskatchewan and a great day for Métis across the Homeland,” added Lisa McCallum, MN–S provincial secretary, in the statement. “We know who we are as Métis people.
“Our government has made significant strides in our own treaty process with Canada and will carry on with the work that benefits Saskatchewan Métis citizens and their families.”
According to the MN-S, the organization represents the “political, socio-economic, cultural and educational interests” of the province’s Métis citizens through a representative system based on 12 regions and approximately 130 Locals under a Constitution enacted in 1993.
Earlier this year, MN-S and the Provincial Métis Council gave notice they were withdrawing their support for Bill C-53 – federal legislation that if passed would provide recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and the ability to negotiate with Ottawa on a nation to nation basis.
First Nations in Ontario have been vehemently opposed to the bill saying Métis in the province have no historical presence.
On Thursday, Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand congratulated MN-S for “taking an important step forward in support of the integrity of Métis identity and our homeland.”
“This decision shows the deep and vital importance of protecting our identity for future generations, something the national government of the Red River Métis has fought hard to protect,” said Chartrand. “Our path forward stays the same, protecting and furthering the needs of our Citizens.”
With files from the Canadian Press.
Editor’s Note: The story was updated on Sept. 19. MN-S requested that APTN remove a line that said it represents 80,000 Métis citizens in Saskatchewan.
