Métis Elders calls on government for funding to end political disruption
- EFN Staff | July 13, 2015
At a news conference in front of CUMFI in Saskatoon, Métis Elder Nora Cummings, backed by 36 other Métis Elders, called upon the Government of Canada to provide funding as soon as possible for a Métis Nation Legislative Assembly and Annual General Meeting to return a voice to the Métis people of Saskatchewan who are currently being silenced.
“We are calling this news conference because the Métis people of Saskatchewan are in crisis. We are speaking on behalf of our Elders, our youth, and the Métis people at large,” Elder Cummings said. “The political disruption that has incapacitated our governance organization has gone on long enough.”
Petitions are currently circulating across the province calling for both the federal and Saskatchewan governments to take action to support an MNLA and AGA to be held in Saskatoon.
“Years ago we had a strong political organization that was working for the good of all Métis people in Saskatchewan,” Cummings continued. “Today, the doors of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan are closed and all Métis people are poorer because of it.”
Cummings points out that the federal government supports elections in countries all around the world and is now asking for the same accommodation. “The future of our young people is at stake,” she added.
The lack of governance at the MN-S has caused many disruptions. There is no negotiation on implementing hunting rights established in the Powley Case, the registry is idle and people aren’t getting their Métis cards, programs are being lost and currently the evacuees from northern Métis communities are in crisis. “We have no Métis voice or organization stepping forward for coordination of evacuation efforts or flow of information.”
The MN-S has been mired by political gridlock for several years with no end in sight. A hearing in court happened Friday July 10th, but there is no guarantee that the hearing will lead to an MNLA that will allow funding to flow back to the organization. The petition calls for an MNLA in September in PA, Saskatoon or Regina and to be chaired by an outside representative. “It is important for us to find a way to move forward as our young people are depending on it and they are asking our Elders for guidance on how we can move from this unhealthy state,” added Cummings. “We need help with these matters immediately.”
Related stories:
- Op-ed: Worn out government and bad Constitution the real problem for MN-S
- MNS internal battle continues in court
- MNS holds first meeting in two years
- Court orders MNS get down to business
- Bitter feuding leads to Métis-Nation defaulting
- Letter from Minister Valcourt to the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan