Manitoba Metis Federation

For immediate release
June 4, 2010

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Metis will no longer let the Province of Manitoba ignore their rights according to Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand. The NDP Government's First Nations Minister of Aboriginal Affairs announced a round table with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, which started today. Nowhere in the media release was there a mention of the Metis as a Constitutionally recognized Aboriginal people, although many times Minister Robinson made mention of the First Nations leadership who would guide Manitoba's policy on the Crown's Duty to Consult Aboriginal peoples.

"Although the Minister has said he takes seriously the Duty that he has on behalf of the Crown to consult with Aboriginal People, I find these actions to be insulting as Manitoba has ignored the Metis for far too long," stated Chartrand. "I hope that our First Nations brothers and sisters develop a positive and pro-active relationship through the process that has been extended to them this weekend. However, the Metis Government, the MMF, has not been offered a true partnership but has only been offered a "technical working group" made up of "some" of Manitoba's "Interdepartmental Working Group on Crown-Aboriginal Consultations"."

"We have also been told that it is Manitoba who will decide who represents the Metis when the Crown's Duty to Consult is undertaken," continued Chartrand. "That is completely unacceptable to the Metis people. It is the Metis Citizens through their Metis government who will be consulted and not handpicked unrepresentative individuals of the Province’s choosing. No longer will Manitoba be allowed to use mayors and councils to try to divide the Metis as a ploy by Manitoba to erode our rights. The sins of the past will never be revisited upon the Metis Nation again - we will not let the provincial government divide our people and steal our birthright as they did in the past."

Legal options are being discussed internally at the MMF amidst the many projects being contemplated throughout Manitoba as most will have an impact on Metis rights and interests. It is the expressed interest of the MMF to work with the private sector, crown corporations and other proponents in a pro-active fashion before the actions of the province force this important issue into the courts.

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is the official democratic and self-governing political representative for the Metis people of Manitoba.

For more information, please contact:

Frank Coyle, Director of Communications
Phone: (204) 586-8474 ext. 374
Cell: (204) 232-5737
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

-30-