A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the historic Metis community of Ile a la Crosse and the Fort McKay Metis in northern Alberta.
Brennan Merasty, president of A la Baie Metis Local 21, says the MOU will be used to share economic and cultural ideas between the two Metis communities. Merasty says this MOU is similar to one signed in February between Ile a la Crosse and the local trappers and fishers. He says these agreements give the Metis people a common ground to stand on.
“As a young leader, I hear a lot of divide and conquer: ‘We will go after one trapper and one Metis local’. And now we look at coming as a united group to the table,” said the Metis local president. “We are a community that is a force if we stand united rather than individually.”
Merasty also says this agreement breaks down the “imaginary line” between the Metis peoples of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“We have decided to not let that line disrupt any of our movement or work going forward. We feel because we are all Metis brothers and sisters we have to work toward what is better for our communities.”
The MOU was signed on Tuesday during a two-day symposium on Metis rights and economic development in Fort McMurray, Alberta.