Metis Delegates Debate Citizenship At Assembly

Metis Delegates Debate Citizenship At Assembly

Monday, November 16, 2009 at 15:15

The process of applying for Metis citizenship was a hot topic at this past weekend’s Metis Nation Legislative Assembly in Saskatoon.

A resolution was put forward that proposed citizenship applications be signed by local area directors or local presidents — something Eastern Region 2A representative Robert Lafontaine spoke out against, saying there have been abuses in the past when area directors or local presidents have had axes to grind.

Southern Plains Metis local president Greg Lawrence wondered how he would have the time or capability to determine who is a Metis citizen.

Those for the motion argued out that area directors and presidents know their people the best.

Buffalo Narrows Metis local president Phillip Chartier stood in adamant support of the motion, asking who the Metis can trust if they can’t trust their own people.

Delegates were also told that, in one area, a group of elders was gathered to determine who was a Metis citizen in that region.

In the end, the motion was defeated by a vote of 43 to 38.