Acclaimed as MNO president, Belcourt looks to the future

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The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) held its election on May 2, and although the official results of the voting weren't yet available at press time, it was clear before the polls even opened who would be filling a good number of the positions up for grabs.

Of the 45 elected positions available in the MNO's four province-wide governing institutions, candidates for 16 were acclaimed, among them were three members of the MNO executive-president Tony Belcourt, chairman Gary Lipinski and co-chairman France Picotte.

Belcourt has been at the reigns of the MNO for more than a decade. He was founding president and has held the position since 1994.

Looking to the future now that the election is over, Belcourt said his biggest concern is "capacity to operate," stating that building up of the MNO at all levels, provincially as well as at a community level, is needed.

"We just don't have the same kind of capacity dollars that are available to other members of the Metis National Council board of governors. We haven't been around long enough," said Belcourt.

The provincial government has historically never given the MNO any money for capacity/operations, he added.

"Until Powley was decided we were just not being recognized. Now that is finally starting to turn around," he said.

The MNO needs more funds for staff to conduct research and provide administrative services at the community level, and to cover travel expenses and professional fees for lawyers, Belcourt said. These are things that make for a strong political organization.

Tony Belcourt wants to build on institutions that the MNO has created such as the registry of MNO citizens, community councils, the Captains of the Hunt harvesting card system, the MNO Cultural Commission, and the organization's communications services and Web site. He'd also like to see more funding for job training and education, as well as housing and health.

In order to fund these objectives, the MNO needs to develop a capital base so that it does not have to rely on government money, he said. One of the ways he thinks the MNO can do this is by getting involved in the business of green power or hydro development.

He'd like to see the organization become an equity partner in the development of hydro projects.

Another project Belcourt has in mind is a prototype for the thermal treatment of wood products and lumber.

"If that goes ahead we will be able to help our communities set up their own plants for the thermal treatment of lumber. That will provide jobs and again it will help us build up our capital base," said Belcourt.

The issue of Metis harvesting rights will also continue to be a priority, Belcourt said, but with a focus on rights that go beyond simple hunting and fishing for food. With the recognition of Powley, the next step is to recognize Metis resource rights such as the right to trap and sell fur, he said. He also mentioned timber rights.

Because of the recognition of traditional territories of the Metis under Powley, Belcourt said the Metis have a right to compensation for infringement of their territory.

"Here in Ontario we have a requirement that industry must consult the Aboriginal communities on timber harvesting and so on. Up to now the province has said that that only applies to First Nations. They can't get away with that any more. It has to apply to the Metis too," said Belcourt.

"I think rather than wanting to fight us, industry is going to want to work with us," he said.

Other MNO members elected by acclamation include three members of the provisional council-Cameron Burgess from Region 2, Maurice Sarrazin from Region 5 and Sharon McBride from Region 8.

Post -secondary representative Anita Tucker was also acclaimed, as were MNO veteran's council members Sharlene Elaine Lance, Shelly Claus, Elmer Ross and Vincent Patrick Redmond.

Women of the MNO regional councillors, Barbara Parker from Region 1, Carman Cravel from Region 3 ad Evelyn Powley from Region 4 were also acclaimed, as were two regional representatives from the MNO Youth organization-Natasha Lefebvre from Region 6 and Chantal Kondracki from Region 8.