MMF President Responds to Senator Lynn Beyak's Claim of Metis Status

February 3, 2020

According to a published report by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, (APTN) Senator Lynn Beyak, who was appointed by Stephen Harper, called herself Metis while participating in cultural competency training last year. This was clearly an attempt to distract from the problems she has created in what can only be described as racist behaviour.

In a ridiculous assertion, Beyak is reported to have identified herself as Metis because of her "family's adoption of an Indigenous child" who became her adopted sister.

"With this weird and strange sudden pronouncement of Metis identity by Senator Beyak, the Metis Nation needs to unequivocally say that this is not how we identify our citizens," said Manitoba Metis President David Chartrand. "I want to say in the strongest terms possible that even if she were Metis, the Metis Nation would disavow all of the discriminatory statements and actions that have come from this Senator."

"The Metis Nation has always been a place of tolerance, right from the days of our first President Louis Riel, who knew we would have to live peacefully with all people," added President Chartrand. "We are working hard to ensure the integrity of the Metis Nation from those who would steal our identity, such as those given citizenship by the Metis Nation of Ontario, with no connection to the Homeland, without having to address the strange thoughts and ideas of this Senator.

"We deplore the way Senator Beyak has tried to say that it's okay for her to publish racist comments because she claims to be Metis," concluded President Chartrand. "It is, quite simply, not okay. Stay away from our Nation. Identity theft is a crime."

View More