$400,000 awarded to Metis Nation

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Another step towards Metis self-government and economic development was accomplished last month when a five year tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Saskatchewan Metis and the provincial and federal government.

The signing took place on July 24 at Back to Batoche celebrations with a $400,000 donation to the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan.

Representing the Metis was president Clem Chartier, while Ralph Goodale stood in for federal government as Interlocutor for Metis and non-status Indians and Berny Wiens, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs.

The MOU is a continuation of the one signed in 1993 to help develop Metis initiatives in areas such as housing, education, jobs, health, justice, culture, language, governance and social and economic development.

"It opens doors for us and we need to build on that," said Chartier, who added that the program dollars do not really address such issues as Metis rights.

"Our common objective today is to build on past successes and achievements while finding new ways of strengthening Metis culture and institutions for the future," said Goodale. "This tripartite process can address issues like those mentioned, as well as land and resources, Metis governance and so on."

"Opportunities for economic prosperity through community and economic development make visions into realities," boasted Wiens. He went on to say that a number of Metis business ventures demonstrate successful Metis entrepreneurship as do Metis individuals who have entered both provincial and federal politics as MLAs and MPs.

Goodale stated that Saskatchewan and Manitoba are the only provinces to benefit from these MOUs, although others are in the negotiation stages.

Of particular concern regarding practical results from the MOU process are: a Saskatchewan Metis Enumeration Project; a northern project comprising the mayors and Metis local presidents in the northwest Metis communities, now in its third year of development of Metis community governance models and devolution of programs and services; a Metis urban governance council involving the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan local presidents and area directors for Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, to examine urban Metis governance models appropriate to each urban setting; economic development partnerships in the areas of tourism, agriculture and the development of Metis Nation lands at Batoche; three community justice committees established by the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan under its affiliate, Metis Family and Community Justice Services.

On behalf of the Metis Nation, Chartier explained that the $400,000 will be utilized to strengthen programs that foster business development and offer loans and grants to Metis businesses and entrepreneurs.

One of the developments directly related to the Metis and Batoche is a management agreement with Parks Canada for Metis to assume control of the Batoche National Historic Site, which "has special significance for us," said Chartier.

As well, he accredited the MOU signing to former Metis Nation president Jim Durocher and provincial treasurer Allan Morin, who were involved in negotiating the deal.