Manitoba Metis Federation

Ottawa, Ontario (June 15, 2005) – Today, on behalf of the Métis Nation, Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis Nation Minister for Economic Development, made a presentation to the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Affairs on their Special Study on the involvement of Aboriginal communities and businesses in economic development activities in Canada. A copy of this presentation is available at www.metisnation.ca.

“Métis are known for our entrepreneurial spirit. We are known as ardent advocates of free trade. However, hand-in-hand with our desire for free trade, is our desire for fair trade and the need to create a level economic playing field. This field has not been level for the Métis. We have not had the opportunity to fully participate in the Canadian economy,” said President Poitras.

In her presentation, Minister Poitras emphasized that the issues of Métis lands and Métis access to resources continue to be a top priority for Métis. Poitras urged the Committee to ensure the federal government fulfills the commitments made to the Métis people in the recently signed Canada-Métis Nation Framework Agreement.

President Poitras added, “Within the Canada-Métis Nation Framework Agreement, Canada agreed to explore options to address Métis land related issues, within a proposed multilateral process with the provinces from Ontario west. This is a very important development since we continue to be excluded from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s comprehensive claim process that is available to First Nations and Inuit to resolve their claims. We hope this new multilateral process will lead to Métis-specific processes to resolve our outstanding claims.”

President Poitras also tabled with the Committee the Métis Nation’s policy paper on economic opportunities flowing from the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable. The policy paper includes the Métis Nation’s recommended approach to moving forward on economic opportunities issues as well as a series of specific recommendations for the Committee to consider. Some of these include:

· Establishment of a Métis-specific comprehensive claims process to address Métis lands and access to resources issues;
· Devolution of federal economic development programs and services to Métis Nation governments;
· Establishing a Métis-specific program to fill the current medium-to-large scale economic development programming gap Métis face;
· Enhancing the federal contribution to the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Strategy and establishing a Métis childcare component within the Strategy; and
· Establishing a Métis Nation Venture Capital Corporation either through a direct one-time contribution to capitalize the fund or by using the tax credit system.

“An overarching recommendation to the Committee is to devolve existing federal government economic development programs and services to Métis Nation governments. Devolution is consistent with the federal government’s recognition of the inherent right of Aboriginal self-government, and, it also makes sense from a policy perspective. We have a proven record of effective delivery of programs and services. We must continue to build upon these proven Métis Nation infrastructures to ensure success and prosperity for Métis people, our communities and our nation,” concluded President Poitras.

The Métis National Council represents approximately 350,000 Métis citizens in Canada at the national and international levels.

For further information:

Robert McDonald
Director of Public and Media Relations
Phone: (613) 232-3216
Cell: (613) 295-9298