METIS NATIONAL COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE

Métis Nation mourns the passing of Harry W. Daniels - a life long defender of Métis Rights

(Ottawa, ON) - September 7, 2004 - On behalf of the Métis Nation, President Clément Chartier offers his regrets on the passing of Harry W. Daniels on September 6, 2004. "It is a sad day for the Métis Nation as we say goodbye to one of the great Métis leaders of our time. I offer my condolences to the Daniels family and wish them well during this time of mourning and remembrance." Mr. Daniels is survived by his partner, Cheryl, sons Michael, Conway, Alexandre and Gabriel and daughters, Chantelle and Chigal.

Mr. Daniels committed his life's work to the advancement of Aboriginal people and will be remembered for playing a leading role in negotiating the express inclusion of the Métis into the Constitution Act, 1982. The Métis inclusion in s.35 of the constitution "recognized and affirmed" the Aboriginal rights of the Métis which led to the historic Powley decision by the Supreme Court of Canada which upheld our Aboriginal right to harvest. "The inclusion of the Métis is s.35 has implications that will be felt for generations," said President Chartier, "It will continue to be a significant building block in strengthening the Métis Nation and will be Mr. Daniel's legacy to the future generations."

Earlier this year, on March 12, the Métis National Council honoured Mr. Daniels for all his contributions to the Métis Nation when they presented him with the "Order of the Métis Nation". "The Métis National Council instituted the Order of the Métis Nation this year, to recognize the significant and historical contributions of our Métis citizens. "There was no doubt that Harry W. Daniels should be one of its first recipients," said President Chartier.

Mr. Daniels was known as a man with his own style; epitomizing that unique Métis "joie de vivre" in the way he dressed and the way he talked. He was known for kicking up his heels in a jig or the two-step, whenever he had a chance or whenever the mood hit him. It was that passion for life and for the Métis way of life that endeared him to many, including those who would be political opponents. But those who thought that his personality meant that he was easy going at the negotiations table; soon found out that he was a brilliant and hard line debater who would not surrender his beliefs in the Métis Nation and Aboriginal rights.

During the constitutional negotiations, Mr. Daniels was asked, "Who are the Métis?" Mr. Daniel's famous response, "We know who we are; we know the generations of discrimination we have endured; we don't need anybody to tell us who we are. If you identify as Ukrainian or Italian, we don't question who you are or try to tell you who you are. We self identify, just like everybody else in this country."

A memorial service and celebration of the life of Harry W. Daniels will be held at Regina Beach on September 16, the date which would have been his 64th birthday.