Metis local upset at lack of funding

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Grande Prairie's Metis Local 1990's work to improve its people's situation is hamstrung by a lack of support from the Metis Nation of Alberta, its president claims.

The local is relying on donations and bingo fund-raisers to carry out vital projects ranging from job programs to building cultural respect through the schools, Local 1990 president Bruce McMahon said.

The local needs administrative funding to be effective because it is more aware of what the community wants done rather than 'top-down' decision-making from the MNA.

"They're there to service the people they represent and at this point they're not servicing the people in the communities. They're not asking us what we need or want,"he charged.

Gary Gaudet, Metis Nation vice-president for Zone 6, said it would be unfair to fund Local 1990 to the exclusion of the other locals in his zone. At present only zone offices are funded.

If we did that we may as well close the doors. There's not enough to give if all

11 locals in my zone wanted money. You fund one, then you have to fund them all. That's the reality of it all," said Gaudet, a past executive director of the MNA.

("McMahon) wants to do things overnight. He's got good ideas but things don't happen overnight. Funding for his local is something that's not there at this time."

Gaudet said the locals still hold the power because he answers to them. And although constitutional discussions have taken him away from the region, Gaudet maintained Local 1990 "hasn't been neglected.

"Locals are going to have to come up with concrete ideas and then they're going

to have to be pursued. That's what has to be done," he stated.

McMahon argued that's exactly what the local is doing - on its own - and points proudly to what's being achieved by volunteer work and fund-raising.

Even without the MNA's support, the local was still able to create 7,120 paid working hours in the past 12 months.

The active local, which was revived two years ago, is a strong advocate for better understanding of Metis culture and for the improved image of the Metis population.

Its volunteers provide input to various city groups and committees, on matters from the environment to family services. Two projects it has underway are a Metis history and culture program for schools and a job readiness training program.

"We're making changes, we're making valid opinions but we have to sit here with no valid administration in place," McMahon said.

"You can't expect volunteers or board members to sit down 40 hours a week to

do (program) packages."

In frustration over the situation, Local 1990 proposed dividing Zone 6, which is based in Peace River, and creating a new zone that would be based in Grande Prairie. Each zone office receives funding from the MNA.

The motion was resoundingly defeated at the recent provincial assembly of the MNA.