March 13, 2020 — The Presidents of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA), and the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) are demanding Métis National Council (MNC) leadership call a Board of Governors meeting to ensure future MNC decisions are made on behalf of all Métis citizens. A Board of Governors meeting has not been called in nearly two years meaning the democratic rules for how the Council should operate have not been followed. Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand has been acting as MNC President since MNC President Clem Chartier’s November 6, 2019 announcement that he was withdrawing from an active role in national leadership, in spite of the fact Mr. Chartrand has not been properly appointed as Interim President as per the process set out in the policies of the MNC.
In a recent media article, Mr. Chartrand admitted that he has not called a Board of Governors meeting because he is worried a vote by the governing members would result in him losing control of the National Council. The three governments have made numerous calls for the leadership of the MNC to call a formal Board of Governors meeting to discuss the serious issues impacting the Métis people and have been concerned that Mr. Chartrand is merely trying to hold on to his illegitimate power at the expense of the best interests of Métis citizens across the country and now he has admitted it.
“We are alarmed, but not surprised, at Mr. Chartrand’s admission in the media that a General Assembly Meeting has not been convened for nearly two years because he and the National President feel they have lost support,” said MN-S President Glen McCallum. MNO President Margaret Froh said that, “like any organization, rules are put in place to frame the way we engage with each other to ensure good governance. Mr. Chartrand is usurping these rules and that is deeply concerning and unacceptable to us.” MNA President Audrey Poitras said that, “this serves to further highlight the concerns we have been raising about accountability, transparency, and open leadership within the MNC.”
The three presidents have previously expressed concerns around Mr. Chartrand and Mr. Chartier’s leadership and the direction of the MNC. Numerous citizens of the Métis Nation vocalized these concerns at an MNC conference in Saskatoon on March 9th and 10th. In a recent press release, the MNC asked for a leadership meeting as soon as possible to discuss unity between the governments, but continues to refuse to call a formal sanctioned Board of Governors meeting to ensure the democratic process of the MNC is followed. The MNO, MNA, and MN-S are committed to progress and have recently signed the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements with the Government of Canada that demonstrate that commitment to progress and advancing our inherent right to self-determination.
Media Contacts:
Julia Burns
Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
Director of Communications
Phone: 306-343-8285
Email: jburns@mns.work
Marc St. Germain
Métis Nation of Ontario
Director of Communications
Phone: 613-798-1488 Ext. 119
Email: marcs@metisnation.org
Amy Dillon
Métis Nation of Alberta
Director of Communications
Phone: 780-455-2200 Ext. 309
Email: adillon@metis.org
Posted March 13, 2020