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Just days after electing a new Provincial Metis Council, the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan has had its federal funding reinstated.
Vice-president Gerald Morin says the core funding for the organization for this year will be around $3.5 million. He says it is a great day for the organization and for people of the Metis Nation.
“This gives us more freedom and flexibility and will allow us to be more efficient to represent the interests of our people in this province,” he said.
Morin calls it is an important day for the MN-S after years of political turmoil and working with a thin budget. Morin says with the reinstatement of funding and a vibrant PMC, it is a positive turning point for the MN-S.
“I think Glen McCallum is the right man for the job as leader, and he will consult broadly with the other executive council members and Metis people in this province,” he said.
Morin says having stability within the MN-S executive will go a long way to forging a strong relationship with the federal government. He says Metis people are now on an equal footing with other Indigenous people in Canada when it comes to recognition of rights, but there is still a lot of catching up to do.
“Overall, today is a great day to be a Metis person,” said Morin. “I hope they have the same sense of excitement that I have and our leaders have and there will be more accountability and transparency going forward and things will work out better for all of us.”