Chartier re-elected to Métis National Council

The incumbent president of the Métis National Council reclaimed his seat at this year’s December general assembly in Saskatoon.

Clem Chartier allowed his name to stand as he sought a third term as MNC president. A former RCMP officer, government employee and businessman, John Keyuk from Ontario, was the only person who ran against Chartier, who grew up in Ile-a-la-Crosse and has been involved in Métis politics at the provincial and national level for years.

Chartier gave his campaign speech first, promising to build on the work he’d done in the past, but noting he wouldn’t make any big promises he couldn’t keep.
Keyuk gave an impassioned speech when he took the podium, saying he was disappointed by how he’d been treated over the past 48 hours.

“I’ve been insulted. I’ve been chastised. I’ve been told I don’t have a right to run. I’ve insulted people by even considering to run,” he said.“I’ve been misquoted, suggesting I’m against women, Métis women, racist, and First Nations. And, as a government employee, (that) I have not stood up for Métis people,” Keyuk added.

In the end, delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of Chartier, who took 80 per cent of the 55 votes.

Chartier said he would like to spend the term moving forward on constitutional reform.

During his state of the nation address, he told the delegates a stronger relationship between Canada and the Métis could reap benefits for their people, such as being able to push for some of the tax revenue the provinces and federal government collect from Métis people.

However, Chartier says for that to happen, the Métis have to get their own governance issues in order.
“We can’t demand recognition of our control over citizenship when we have not yet established a national citizenship system and acceptance process. Before we can realistically press for this stronger relationship, we must strengthen our internal governance. We can’t demand recognition of our constitution when we don’t have one,” Chartier said.

He added they have worked on the constitution for 27 years because it is complex and requires a lot of research and dialogue on things like how to respect the Métis Nation as a whole while respecting provincial jurisdiction, as well as who is Métis and how to create a citizenship registry.

“We need to ensure our registries reflect who is Métis, not someone who simply says ‘I’m of mixed ancestry, I can’t get Indian status, therefore I’m Métis.’”

The audit was also passed at the two-day assembly, although not without some reservations.

Members of the Métis Nations of Alberta and Ontario voted against the audit. President of the MNA, Audrey Poitras, expressed concerns, noting some of the money that was misappropriated from a company in her province, MEDCO, came through an agreement between Health Canada and the MNC.

Poitras said within the audit, MEDCO is referred to as the Métis Region Social Enterprise, which she says is a name that was never incorporated or registered.

She added that the MNC should not hide behind the “supposed” company.

Poitras further noted an audit done by Health Canada showed about half of the money the MNC received were ineligible expenditures.

“The president and the Minister of Health had been negotiating with Health Canada, and what they’ve ended up doing is actually wiping that out. My point on that was, that is unfair, because when you’re trying to clean up at home. It’s unfair when Canada has deemed something ineligible in an audit to find a way to sweep it under the carpet when we’re trying to hold people accountable,” she said.