President’s Message

A major objective at the MMF is to promote assessment of the project and its effects on the Metis economic development. This is an essential Metis Community. Back in March 2013 we said part of who we are as a Government and as a to the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) Community. The Metis are an Aboriginal People that it could not, in good conscience, recommend born out of a culture of commerce. This culture that Bipole III be approved for construction. initially included our traditional industries of fur, Unfortunately this past August the Minister issued fisheries and forestry. Today our citizens continue the license two months after receiving the CEC’s to be involved in these and other resource final report. developments such as mining and oil. With patience and hard work there are economic I have often said, in terms of revenue and job President David Chartrand, LL.D development opportunities and community creation, hydroelectricity is our oil here in benefits with the Bipole III and other future . It is a source of natural wealth for projects. But we must always ensure due diligence our province. I support hydroelectricity as an opportunity for all has been done. We must be confident that environmental protection Manitobans. But this wealth cannot be made on the backs of our measures are in place along with meaningful consultation and Metis People. We will not be collateral damage to Manitoba Hydro’s accommodation. To date, the Manitoba Government has not properly plans. This has happened many times in the past with projects like consulted the Metis. Neither has Manitoba, referred to as the Crown, the Grand Rapids Dam, the Churchill River Diversion, and recently nor Manitoba Hydro assessed the project’s effects on Metis rights Wuskwatim and, we risk this happening again with the Bipole III and accommodated the impacts. transmission line. The Bipole III is about 1,300 km in length and cuts a swath through The Metis have shouldered the burden of hydroelectric impacts the Manitoba Metis Community’s traditional territory into the heart and received little in the way of benefits or compensation. We were of our Metis Nation Homeland. Without any doubt, the transmission excluded from the Northern Flood Agreement and implementation line will impact Metis rights in the north, in the core of what is known agreements that led to First Nation partnerships. This was supposed as the Metis Bread Basket along the west side and, in the south, the to all change in 2001 with the Aboriginal Justice Implementation old postage stamp province created in 1870 which was the focus of Commission (AJIC) recommendation that “any future, major, natural our recent MMF Land Claim victory at the Supreme Court of Canada. resource developments not proceed, unless and until agreements or treaties are reached with the Aboriginal people and communities in In its decision the Supreme Court spoke of reconciliation and the the region, including the Manitoba Metis Federation…” honour of the Crown. Both of these have been sadly lacking when it comes to hydroelectric development and its impacts on the Manitoba To any reasonable person the AJIC recommendation sounds pretty Metis Community. The time has come for Manitoba and Manitoba clear and straightforward: An MMF agreement comes first and Hydro to act honourably when they move forward on the Bipole III only then does the project start. This was to respect our Aboriginal transmission line and future projects. The Metis will be treated as rights. This recommendation along with others was accepted by the equal partners. The Metis People are saying loud and clear that Manitoba Government and became policy. Unfortunately for over a enough is enough. decade of development this policy has been conveniently forgotten. This policy must be followed on a number of current and planned projects including the Bipole III transmission line. Believe in Yourself - Believe in Metis Meeqwetch. Not only has the Government, and its agent Manitoba Hydro, not reached any agreement on Bipole III, they have not meaningfully engaged the Metis nor done a credible and thorough environmental President David Chartrand, LL.D Metis Musician receives recognition from the Manitoba Legislative Assembly

On August 28, 2013 Sharon Blady, with the CBC, and the rest, as they say, the MLA from brought is history. forth a Member’s Statement in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly Since then he has performed with honouring well-know Metis musical such artists as Johnny Cash, Porter artist, Ray St. Germain. Wagoner and Johnny Horton. His music has taken him across Canada as Ms. Blady’s impassioned speech well as across the world from Nashville was as follows’ “Mr. Speaker, I rise to to Israel. Known as ’s Elvis, recognize someone who has built a he has been a producer, performer, legacy that continues not only to enrich manager and host on CBC, Global, the musical culture of Manitoba, but APTN, CKY and NCI FM. He was a the culture of one of this province’s co-producer, writer, host and singer on founding peoples, the Metis. APTN TV’s Rhythms of the Metis, and he is also heard as the voice of the bear Mr. Ray St. Germain is in the gallery on the award winning children’s series Mr. Ray St. Germain and Kirkfield Park MLA, Sharon Blady with us today, and I am proud to say Tipi Tales. that he hails from Kirkfield Park. A long- he was also invested into the Order of cultural heritage far beyond our time artist, broadcaster and promoter Throughout his distinguished career Manitoba, and at the Manito Ahbee province’s borders. Thank you, Mr. of Metis and Aboriginal culture, Ray is he has shown incredible dedication to Festival 2013 Aboriginal Peoples Speaker.” an icon on the Canadian music scene. his music. In his own words: If you’re Choice awards he was presented with going to get into this business, don’t do a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Accompanied by his wife Glory, Ray Born in St. Vital, Ray got his start it halfway. Minister of Aboriginal and Northern appeared visually moved by the performing Elvis tunes at amateur Affairs (Mr. Robinson). honour as he proudly stood to receive a shows. As he began writing his own This dedication and musical skill has roaring round of applause and standing songs, he became a regular guest on been recognized by many. Ray has been Mr. Speaker, I invite all members to join ovation from all attending members of local radio shows and toured Canada inducted into the Canadian Country me in recognizing Ray St. Germain, a the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba playing his music with Hal Lone Pine, Music Hall of Honour and received the community leader, a superb musician following the speech given by Ms. Betty Cody and their son, Lenny Breau. Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee and a representative of Manitoba’s Blady. He then went on to host and perform Medal last September. This summer A Metis Cross stands tall over Churchill

The Metis Cross was built by red river cart builder, September 7, 2013, with smudging and prayers Orille Haugan and George Ducharme. from all of our spiritual leaders.

In 2010 George Ducharme was asked by local Similar Metis Crosses stand in Batoche, Sandy businessman, Churchill community leader and Lake, St Norbert Church, proud Metis Elder, Bob Penwarden to make a Metis and on Brady Road at cross for the Churchill cemetery. the very spot where Lois Riel stepped The Metis Cross was made from 2 hydro poles- aboard the taken to Marvin Sawmill in St. Vital, and cut into train in 23’ pieces with the red river cart wheel design was 1869. created by both Orille and George.

It was then taken to St. Norbert Art centre, where they built it. The cross has been in storage in Standing tall for all to see. The cross measures Churchill until it was erected, and then we had 16 feet long and 6 feet wide, and the wheel has a a ceremonial dedication on August 24, 2013. A diameter of 48 inches.Norbert. dedication was held for the cross on Saturday