City, MNA “cement” positive relationship

A nine-year relationship between retiring Mayor Stephen Mandel and Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras has culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Shared Recognition and Cooperation.

“We’ve had a lot of … positive working relationships that have produced results over those nine years,” said Poitras, “and it was very important certainly to me that somewhere along the line we cement that relationship (and that) we ensure that it is part of what becomes history between the City of Edmonton and the Métis Nation.”

Poitras was lavish in her praise of Mandel, who is not seeking a fourth term as mayor.

“For centuries we have met Canada in court rooms and political tables in order to defend our culture, our right as Métis people. To be standing here in agreement with the City of Edmonton is a major step forward for the Métis,” said Poitras.

Although Mandel said he was “especially honoured to be able to (sign the memorandum) before I leave office,” he made it clear that he expected the strong relationship between the city and the Métis people to continue. He called on councillors Tony Caterina and Amarjeet Sohi, both of whom are seeking re-election, to continue to lead the charge. “Their passion and their commitment for multiculturalism and for Aboriginal communities are making a big difference. They stand up for them. And that’s their job. Their job is to make sure our city is open, accessible …to every single Edmontonian.”

Mandel also challenged his successor to “continue to move forward” in this relationship with the Métis.

The Memorandum of Shared Recognition and Cooperation is a formal agreement to engage and empower Métis people in the city.

“This memorandum is affirmation that the Métis Nation is moving in the right direction and that we are making progress toward the recognition of Métis people,” said Poitras.

The two leaders also exchanged flags, pledging that each would fly the others flag during Métis Week in November.

The signing of the memorandum with the city came on the same day that counsel for Métis hunter Garry Hirsekorn filed a 25-page leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2007, Hirsekorn was charged with shooting a mule deer out of season. Hirsekorn, along with other hunters, were part of an MNA action plan to challenge the province, which held that Métis could only hunt without a license in specified areas. The MNA has pursued Hirsekorn’s case through every level of court at the provincial level, with Hirsekorn found guilty each time. Now, 10 years after the Powley case set the bar for Métis harvesting rights, the MNA is arguing that Alberta courts have interpreted the Powley decision too narrowly when it comes to the Métis history of hunting buffalo on the prairies.