President says Métis organization the strongest it has been in 10 years

Robert Doucette is proud of his record as president of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and has no plans to resign.
“Why should I when the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan is the strongest it has been in 10 years?” asked Doucette.
The call for Doucette’s resignation is being led by Helen Johnson. Johnson, eastern region 2 director, comprises a group of eight regional directors and the president of Métis Women, who are calling for Doucette to leave office a year before his five-year mandate runs out.
“It’s a lack of accountability, no access to finances,” said Johnson. “We have no idea what the state of the Nation is.”

Johnson said an audit committee was formed last year by the Provincial Métis Council after repeated attempts by the Treasury Board to get ahold of the financial books were unsuccessful. The committee still hasn’t seen the books. Johnson is a member of the audit committee.
Johnson also said that in 2009 a unilateral decision was made to sell the MNS building. That money was supposed to be put into trust but Johnson can’t confirm that was done.

Doucette said that area directors have had “full disclosure” of financial statements whenever there have been PMC meetings.

“The problem is, (the directors are) boycotting meetings,” said Doucette.

Johnson said the only meeting the audit committee wants to attend is the one that allows members to view the books.  She said she will not attend the Sept. 21 meeting called by the PMC unless it is preceded by or includes an audit meeting.

“We were given direction at the (Métis Nation Legislative Assembly) last year to meet and talk about the audit,” said Johnson. “That has never happened.”

MNS is standing strong, Doucette said. His administration has paid down the $2 million debt that was inherited and has not only provided audited statements of its own business but also provided audits for the previous administration’s three years.

On top of that, Doucette points out that the MNS has been developing strong relationships with various provincial organizations.

“There was the laying of a special Métis sash in the legislature in Saskatchewan and that’s the only legislature in Canada that has bestowed that honour and respect on the Métis,” said Doucette. “Those are symbolic, yes, but there are a lot of initiatives that are currently underway that are gong to enhance the overall lifestyle of Métis people in this province and I’m very proud of that.”

Not only has the MNS under Doucette’s leadership moved ahead in its relationship with the provincial government, but the MNS has also signed agreements with the federal government and the province’s First Nations people and francophones, and are working with the unions.

Doucette claimed that the animosity between his leadership and the group of directors lies in the fact that many of the dissenting voices are from the past administration. He said they have been asking for his resignation for the past four years.

“I didn’t support Robert, but I’m willing to work with anybody to get the business done.  You need to be professional, the Nation needs to move ahead,” said Johnson, who was a member of the previous administration. “When he became leader, everybody had this great hope.”

Doucette said there is one other factor that speaks well of his administration: that dissenters can voice their opinions without fear of retribution, unlike past administrations.

However, noted Johnson, as much as she speaks out, there is still no mechanism in the MNS bylaws to force the early resignation of the president.

Doucette said it is “kind of premature” to talk about running again, but if he were to seek re-election he is confident he would have support.

“I feel very good and very positive that Méis citizens will support me at some point when I have to make that declaration,” he said.

Doucette took over at the helm of the MNS in 2007. In the previous three years, the provincial government has stopped funding the MNS following a 2004 electoral scandal that resulted in a number of criminal fraud convictions. Funding was restored when Doucette won in an election that was conducted by an independent electoral officer.