Metis To Take Tough Stance With First Ministers

Metis To Take Tough Stance With First Ministers

Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 13:41

Canada’s national Metis leader says he has the backing of provincial Metis organizations to take a hard stand at next month’s First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal issues, if he feels it’s needed.

A few weeks ago, Metis National Council president Clem Chartier expressed concern about a lack of Metis-specific initiatives in lead-up talks with federal bureaucrats.

Chartier had a chance to brief provincial Metis leaders at a strategy session in Vancouver over the weekend, and says they’ve given him the green light to walk away from this entire process if the Metis are again overlooked.

Chartier also says his peers are in agreement that Metis have to approach this summit as a group with rights, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s Powley decision in 2003.

Chartier adds the Metis are looking for gains in governmental relations, housing, health and education.

While Chartier has been frustrated by what he’s seen at the bureaucrat level in advance of next months’ meeting, he says he’s encouraged by what he’s been hearing from federal ministers and the premiers.