MNA pushes citizenship with promise to “archive” files not updated

Dean Lindsay is so incensed with what he sees as an end run around by the executive of the Métis Nation of Alberta to push citizenship that he is challenging President Audrey Poitras or “one of her minions” in the upcoming election.

In an email to Sweetgrass, Lindsay said, “. . . if they win I will give up my membership with the MNA, on the condition that all members of the MNA red and white and citizens be allowed to vote.  After all it is their right according to the bylaws we so adamantly fought for these past few years.”

Spurring Lindsay’s actions is a letter received in mid-April by MNA members who were not registered citizens. Holly Muskego, registry operation manager, wrote, “Your file requires updating to ensure it meets current Registry criteria. . . . If we do not hear from you within the 30 days, your membership file . . . will be moved to an archival storage off-site and will no longer be accessible.”

“They’re pushing red and white card holders out of their membership base,” said Lindsay. “They’re back-shelving these people again. If you’re not active, you can’t vote.”
Lindsay contended that those who won’t have voting privileges are those who would support him in the September election for MNA president.

The letter states that all MNA membership files are being updated “as a result of the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. vs. Powley and the adoption of the National Métis definition in 2003.”

However, both those factors were in play when MNA membership twice turned down the replacement of red and white cards with citizenship cards. The last time the issue came to the forefront was at the annual general meeting in August 2010 when a special resolution to amend the bylaws was defeated.

The issue of citizenship and Métis registration has been a hot one in the last few years. The move to register members as citizens began in 2003 when the MNA adopted a national definition of Métis: “Métis means a person who self-identifies as a Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry, and is accepted by the Métis Nation.”

The creation of a citizenship registry followed that definition. Although the MNA leads the other provincial Métis associations in registering members, almost half of MNA members have yet to become citizens. The citizen requirement calls for a complete family genealogy dating back to the mid-1800s and a long form birth certificate or baptismal certificate.

Since Lindsay became aware of the letters, he has been on the phone calling MNA members, encouraging them to crowd the MNA offices and “at least get their names on the list.” Those without citizenship status have until May 15 to update their files.

“I just don’t see how they can get away with this. We voted this down twice,” said Lindsay, who has his citizenship card.

Audrey Poitras, president of the MNA, did not return phone calls from Sweetgrass.