Metis conference links past with present

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The Power of Youth, Wisdom of Elders conference hosted by the Region III Metis Nation of Alberta brought delegates from as far away as Ontario to Calgary in late April for four days of meetings and workshops. Although designed to encourage interaction between Elders and young people, the conference accomplished much more.

"We're here for four days of deliberating, learning, understanding, and having fun," was the way Zone III president Ephram Bouvier summed up the goals of the conference in his opening remarks. With a cultural showcase on the opening night, and a dance party, country hoedown and barbecue during the run of the conference, there was certainly fun to be had.

There were, however, some serious issues to address, which Bouvier mentioned in his opening remarks.

"From the beginning, we, the Metis people, have been nation-builders. It saddens me to see our people not running for federal, provincial and municipal governments. I hope the youth will take the torch and run with it."

Workshops topics were health, justice, suicide prevention, Metis history and culture, and career planning-all critical to the future of the Metis Nation. With roughly 18 Elders in attendance, the fact that the future of the Metis is in large part tied to their past was not lost on the delegates.

It certainly was uppermost in Wayne Flaathen's mind. Flaathen, the co-chair of the Metis National Youth Advisory Council, travelled from Bonnyville to be there. He is currently establishing an Alberta Metis Youth Council, a task he hopes to finalize in August at the annual general meeting in Bonnyville.

Although his focus is on youth, he acknowledged a debt to Metis Elders.

"I can't stress how much help and assistance the Elders have given us. It is their wisdom that is so beneficial. We need the Elders to help teach the youth. Life is changing and it is that change Elders help with, ensuring our morals and traditions are carried on and ensuring there is a support system."

Life is changing for the Metis Nation as well. Gerald Morin, president of the Metis National Council, is optimistic about these recent changes. "From my involvement in Metis politics I can see that it's like a renaissance, the resurgence of Metis pride and determination to move forward as a nation, to be recognized for who we are-we're a unique people pursuing our rights in self-determination," Morin said.

For Morin, the resurgence in pride is linked to the past as well as the present. "There's nobody like us in the entire world," he noted. "We've literally carved out our homeland, our nation, with our distinct language, culture and values. We have our distinct and powerful political institutions, our unique legal status. All of that has come together to shape us as a people."

In order to underline his point, Morin related the story of his visit to St. Peter's mission in Montana, where Louis Riel settled while in exile. The church where Riel prayed is still standing there. Morin said that it was the centre of a vibrant Metis community in the 1870s and 1880s and "if you go up in a plane and look down, you can still see the ruts that were carved out by the thousands of Red River carts we took out there."

Although this sense of Metis history is important, Morin's day-to-day concerns are firmly rooted in the present. He attended the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, and Metis representatives are active at the United Nations and the Organization of American States. At home, discussions with the federal government continue on a framework agreement that would address a wide range of Metis issues.

Morin also noted that the Metis have been active in the courts recently, launching actions designed to establish Metis land rights, hunting rights and fishing rights.

"Those court cases operate as a hammer in the political process. They give us strength politically, so we are negotiating from a position of strength," he said.

That position was reflected in the theme f the conference. The energy and determination was supplied by the youth. For pride and a sense of their unique culture, delegates looked to the Elders. They needed to look no further than Cora Fedyk who delivered the opening prayer and then stood with her hand over her heart while singing along with the Metis Anthem.