Some Saskatchewan Métis leaders decry recent MNC election
- EFN Staff | May 13, 2014
Some Saskatchewan Métis leaders are calling into question last weekend's Métis National Council election.
Earlier today, Métis Nation Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette held a press conference where he decried the procedure and results of the recent MNC election. This past weekend in Winnipeg, Clem Chartier was re-elected in a vote of 28 to 27 over Audrey Poitras, president of the Métis Nation Alberta.
Doucette says MN-S Vice-President Gerald Morin and nine area directors "disenfranchised" four legitimate Métis officials from voting: MN-S Secretary May Henderson, Area Director Penny Hurton (who represents the largest population of Métis citizens), Métis Youth rep Erin Hurton, and Métis womens president Janice Henry.
"Clem Chartier talked about united, working together, and building for all Métis, he allows this type of motion to go on the floor of the MNC AGM. Can you imagine that?" asked Doucette.
"My question is, how can Earl Cook, Ben Worsely, and Tammy Mah, unelected individuals, take the place of four people who have received the mandate from Métis citizens of Saskatchewan," again asked Doucette, visibly upset. "Never in my 20 years of attending the MNC annual General Assemblies have I seen an MN-S Executive not be a delegate sitting at the table."
Doucette says those four not being able to vote "would have been the difference" between Poitras winning the MNC presidency and Chartier losing.
Doucette says what took place last weekend brings into serious question the MNC.
"As far as I'm concerned...the MNC is irrelevant in the lives of the average Métis citizen, and after this weekend does not have the moral, legal, or political right to say they represent the interest of Métis citizens of Canada."
In a press release, Vice-President Morin says many critical issues were discussed at the MNC, including health, housing, education, the environment and the most crucial was the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The Assembly also passed a resolution to complete a registry standard, drafted by the Métis Nation Registrars and senior staff in cooperation with the Canadian Standards Association and Canada, to govern the citizenship registration processes across the Métis Homeland to ensure registration processes are consistent and objectively verifiable.
He says that's why he was "deeply frustrated" that Doucette, Henderson, and Treasurer Louie Gardiner left the Assembly after the election, and says that matter will be discussed at an upcoming Provincial Métis Council meeting.
A handful of local presidents also attended today's news conference and echoed Doucette's concern, including Penny Hurton, one of the area directors who was not allowed to vote.
"This doesn't just affect Saskatchewan," she says. "This affects all of Canada," adding that she's very saddened that "procedure was not being followed at the highest level."
Another ally of Doucette's is perhaps an unlikely one, as they haven't always been allies in the past. Senator Nora Cummings attended today's press conference and also spoke out.
She attended the past weekend's MNC election, and says she and other Elders were very upset that youth were not recognized.
"Clem Chartier said he believed in democratic process....but they didn't do a democratic process, she says, referring to what went on as an "elite club."
Cummings says she is ready to talk to all Saskatchewan Métis about what went on.
"Were asking Mr. Chartier to step aside and call a new election."
She says as a Canadian taxpayer, this is not how she wants to see her money spent.
Doucette is also calling on the federal government to get involved. He would like to see the federal government sign direct bilateral agreements with the provincial organizations rather than the MNC, and possibly go so far as to outright not accept the results.
He says if none of that works, he will consider legal action and applying for a court injunction that would make the election and its results null and void.
He says part of the issue is any business conducted by the MN-S PMC is called into question due to legal proceedings. While a Saskatoon Court of Queens Bench ruling earlier this year reinstated Morin and the nine area directors, all of whom had been suspended at last September's Métis Nation Legislative Assembly (which the ruling found to be unconstitutional), that ruling has since been appealed. No decision on the appeal has been made yet.
Doucette says the MN-S isn't alone in its concern. He says the Métis Nations of Alberta and British Columbia are also upset with what happened on the weekend. Previously, B.C. Métis Federation President Keith Henry has raised issues with spending at the MNC, calling it a financial scandal.