Métis frustration falling on deaf ears?

Clement Chartier remains frustrated with his people’s plight to be included en masse in residential schools compensation payments. That frustration became evident in his fourth appearance before the senate, this time making his presentation to the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples on Sept. 28.

Chartier, president of the Métis National Council, said, “As I mentioned on the three previous occasions, the vast majority of the Métis are not covered by that agreement and many of us have attended Métis residential schools... I am relatively disappointed that the Senate has not taken too much action with respect to what we bring forward.”

While Métis who attended Indian residential schools included in the settlement agreement are eligible for common experience payments, that list of schools does not include any Métis residential schools.

Chartier went on to state that the apology Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered on June 11, 2008, was not directed to Métis people.

“It was one that the Métis nation embraced, not for us but for those Aboriginal peoples who were covered by the apology and covered by the settlement agreement,” said Chartier.

Speaking in a telephone press conference after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission made its presentation to the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples Sept. 28, TRC chair Justice Murray Sinclair said he didn’t believe the apology should be tied into the compensation package that was struck with the federal government, Catholic entities, Presbyterian, Anglican and United churches.

“The apology issued in Parliament was broad enough that it could , and I think it did, encompass every and all persons in a residential school,” said Sinclair.

He also noted that the TRC has invited former Métis residential school students to tell their stories to the commission. At the 125 Métis celebration in Batoche, Sask., the TRC had statement gathering teams in attendance.

Said TRC commissioner Marie Wilson, “We are an independent commission, so whether or not there is a position by any of the parties, including national Aboriginal organizations, we’ve made it very plain that anyone who wants to come before the commission is welcome to do so and we welcome their comments. (The TRC) mandate is written in such a way that it says anyone who feels they have been impacted by the residential school experience.”

Chartier said he understands that the TRC is willing to hear the stories of Métis experiences in Métis residential schools, but it offers little consolation.

“To have reconciliation, there has to be two parties. You cannot just have the Métis residential school survivors telling their story to an independent tribunal but not having someone on the other side to reconcile it. That is something that we feel is very critical and something we need to address,” Chartier told the Senate committee.
Senate acting chair Senator Larry Campbell assured Chartier that the MNC’s concerns were being taken seriously.

“Certainly, you should not think that we are ignoring what you have to say. What you have recommended to us will be looked at as soon as we get the opportunity.”

Sinclair said he believes Métis residential schools were not included in the settlement for a number of reasons, including that the federal government could not be held liable because the majority of residential schools were operated by the churches. As well, they were day schools. However, Sinclair said Métis school survivors are eligible to claim under the independent assessment process for sexual or physical abuse or injury that occurred at residential schools.

Sinclair noted that the Métis school survivors may be taking legal action down the road.