Other Premiers across Canada recognized the needs Our youth showed exceptional leadership through and were willing to dig into their piggy banks to find the first wave. But we expected nothing less. We the required funds to adequately respond to this are proud of their leadership and commitment. By crisis. Pallister, however, chose to try to take credit staying home, they not only kept themselves healthy, for the programs put in place because of Prime but they also kept the virus out of their households Minister Trudeau. and community.

Your Métis Government warned Pallister of this since I am also proud of the initiative of our Minister of March. Provincial Education, Joan Ledoux. Recently, they announced that they will be offering additional From the programs we are developing to the financial support to Métis students through the supports we are providing, the province could have second wave. learned from the leadership and dedication of your Métis Government. Though we already offer our post-secondary education students $5,000 a year to help limit their To address the red and orange code announcements, debt-load, we recognize that schooling is much we announced this Monday that $5.5 million more expensive than that. Many take on part-time dollars in funding is now available for businesses jobs to pay for supplies, rent, and other necessities. and removed the red tape to receive it. All that we COVID has limited their ability to find jobs, and some The second wave of COVID is surging through require is evidence they are an established business jobs that are now available may put them at risk of Manitoba. Recently, the province announced that and that they have a plan in place to keep their doors contracting COVID. they are moving the Winnipeg area to “code red” and open after these new restrictions pass by. the rest of rural Manitoba into “code orange”. We We hope that this additional support will help them believe that this could have been avoided. We recognize that businesses are the backbone of stay safe in isolation and reduce stress during code our province, but we also recognize that there are red. The Government of Manitoba was in a great position people behind those businesses who need support. to be leaders in Canada and mitigate the effects of The MMF offers a wide variety of support that will this virus on Manitobans. Instead, Premier Pallister We have shown a willingness to work together with help many Citizens. Please visit our website, decided to focus on the deficit and numbers rather our Regions, Locals, Citizens, Affiliates, and other mmf.mb.ca, to see the full listing of our offered than the needs and well-being of Manitobans. partners to help respond to this never-before-seen supports. If you need support accessing this listing, Though your Métis Government is upset by this threat. please do not hesitate to contact our home office short-minded approach, we are not surprised. at 204-586-8474. If you have suggestions for a Similar to how he neglected the advice of the Métis, new program, or perhaps you know of a gap in our Doctors warned since the initial outbreak that a he is now neglecting all Manitobans. And even response strategy, please reach out to your Regional second wave was coming in the fall and that it would though Manitobans are not receiving support from Office and make a recommendation. be worse than the first. their elected provincial government, they are now being asked to volunteer in the response efforts and Although COVID may slow us down, we are The Manitoba Government could have hired sacrifice their personal health as well as the health of continuing forward and undertaking many large additional nurses, contact tracers, and other their loved ones and community. For Pallister, saving economic development ventures that require necessary supports throughout the summer to money by putting the health and safety of volunteers substantial purchases of a wide variety of goods and prepare for this second wave. We enjoyed relatively in danger is an easier decision than investing in hiring services. low cases all summer while other provinces healthcare professionals during the summer. continued to be decimated by this virus. Manitoba Currently, we are still building homes, childcare should have used this time to prepare for the As a proud Manitoban, I am embarrassed of the centres, local government offices, and many expected second wave. response efforts of our provincial government. They other projects in all corners of Manitoba. If you gladly come to reach into your pockets and take your or someone you know are a Métis contractor, While Pallister was preoccupied with counting dollars hard-earned money when it is time to pay taxes, but please contact MMF Housing to sign up. In fact, all and cents – putting the budget ahead of his citizens when Manitobans are in need, they are not willing businesses should register with our Métis Business – we now find ourselves in the midst of an economic to circle back and offer a hand in support of your directory so that your Métis Government can expand crisis. The Manitoba Government sleepwalked into money. the number of Métis businesses we can utilize as a a massive crisis that it is not prepared to handle. Government when undertaking projects. As of writing this, there have been 87 reported In the first wave, your Métis Government did COVID-related deaths in Manitoba. Beyond lives, exceptionally well at reaching out and helping our If you or someone you know has a business that Manitobans are losing their homes, investments, Métis Citizens exit COVID stronger than we entered. has been negatively impacted economically by the jobs, and businesses. Much of our efforts were focused on keeping pandemic, please call 1-800-387-6004 or visit vulnerable Citizens at home by delivering nearly medf.ca to see if you are eligible for this new Perhaps if the focus would have been on prevention 6,000 hampers to our Elders, shut-ins, and chronically support. and the health of Manitobans and they had balanced ill Citizens. their response, the economy might not have slid out We are encouraging everyone to follow pandemic of control. protocols. This means limiting your trips to places such as the grocery store, washing your hands My prayers go out to all that are being affected by Together, we made it through the first wave, and rest often, wearing a mask when leaving the house, and this second wave of COVID in Manitoba. Your Métis assured if we all make this sacrifice and stay home, adhering to social distancing protocols. Government recently restarted the hamper program we will emerge from the second wave stronger than for our Elders and vulnerable Citizens to ensure that ever. Your Métis Government will not let you down. I want to commend Prime Minister Trudeau for his they do not have to leave their homes to receive We will always have your back. swift and action-based response. Many leaders may their essential goods. Please, help your loved ones talk the talk, but Prime Minister Trudeau follows who are vulnerable to this virus by offering to go Meeqwetch, through on commitments, such as his commitment shopping for them or helping them get groceries to support the Métis Nation politically and delivered to their doorstep. economically. President David Chartrand, LL.D. (hon), O.M. MMF stands with IRTC and AFN in flood management The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) joined “In 2013, the province began the conceptual design ranchers, landowners, and communities. Proper the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC) and leading to the project. And at that time, the province consultations are the right way to avoid problems the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Manitoba told the MMF that there were no funds to undertake and delays, and we must do the right decisions for Region at a press conference on October 22, calling community consultation, again, even though every generation,” said President Chartrand. on the Government of Manitoba to work with consultation has been a part of the legal structure of Indigenous governments as equals in planning flood Canada for much longer than that,” Minister Goodon “The Premier and the Minister like to characterize management, including the Outlet Channels Project. said. the Indigenous communities and Nations who have concerns as being obstinate, as being in the The province received an injunction in August “But in July 2016, the province wrote to the MMF, way of something that needs to happen, when from the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench to stop and they said that they had a duty to consult with that’s absolutely not the case. Our communities, building a construction access road for the Lake the Manitoba Métis community on the project. our families, are just as concerned as every other Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels In December 2017, the province agreed to fund a Manitoban that there needs to be a safe, reliable Project after refusing to consult with First Nations. technical review.” way to divert water in an emergency,” said Minister The province then fought the IRTC in the Court of Goodon. “Consultation has to be meaningful.” Appeal. The MMF and the AFN have filed applications Minister Goodon added, “So when President to intervene in the Government of Manitoba’s Chartrand criticized the province for those delays The Métis are also concerned with the lack of appeal, which will be heard in court on November 12. in the consultation process, they held up the economic opportunities on this project. “We should technical review, and said the technical review was a have been consulted as to what services we could Speakers at the socially distanced roundtable consultation. As we know, that is absolutely not the have provided to the proposed project,” said MMF discussion, with many joining in virtually, included case.” Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Jack Park. MMF Minister Will Goodon on behalf of MMF President David Chartrand; Cornell McLean, Lake “How many times will we have to call out the Premier “We have an abundance of Métis contractors that Manitoba First Nation Chief and IRTC Chair; IRTC and his complete lack of respect for Métis and First could have performed the work, and they were not Chief Executive Officer Karl Zadnik; AFN Manitoba Nations rights?” said President Chartrand in the even given the opportunity to bid. We also have Regional Chief Kevin Hart; Southern Chiefs’ joint release. “We spend so much time, energy, experience in Construction Management through Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels; Peguis First and money making up for the Premier’s failure the Bipole III Project and the Enbridge Pipeline Nation Chief Glenn Hudson; The Pas-Kameesak MLA after failure when he is misinforming Manitobans Replacement Project, to name two.” ; MLA Ian Bushie; and by stating that he has consulted and has everyone Manitoba Liberal Leader . onboard. When we say he has not done his due Reflecting on Louis Riel’s birthday 176 years ago, diligence, he then, basically, says we are all liars.” Minister Goodon emphasized the historic significance “We are now working with the Manitoba Metis of consultation. “Louis Riel, when the crown, when Federation and the Assembly of First Nations to join Indigenous communities have serious concerns the government, tried to move into Manitoba here, us in our fight with this provincial government,” said about the Outlet Channels Project. “The Provincial he went and stepped on the surveyor’s chain, and he Chief McLean in a joint news release from the MMF, Government’s thinking behind flood management said, ‘no, not until you talk to us.’ IRTC, and AFN. “Our brothers and sisters from the and the Outlet Project is firmly based in the past,” communities will also bear the weight of project said Zadnik in the joint release. “First Nations “So I think that there’s some parallels that have consequences, should this Outlet Channel project be people were the stewards of pristine land and water happened in the past that we need to look at here, approved. In 2017, Premier Pallister promised that resources for thousands of years but within just a few but I think it’s also true that we need to do what consultations with Indigenous communities on this decades, Manitoba’s misguided policies and activities we’re doing here today, standing together, saying ‘no, project would be the most comprehensive in the have polluted the water; drained the wetlands you have to talk to us.’” history of Manitoba, a statement we now know to be that sheltered birds, fish, and wildlife; and created little more than rhetoric.” conditions that threaten Indigenous communities Minister Goodon said the MMF has recently hired an throughout Manitoba.” expert to move forward on an adequate review of Speaking at the press conference, Minister Goodon the potential impacts of the project. detailed the MMF’s history with the province on the “The Métis Nation has been trying for three years project. to ensure that this permanent water diversion will not have devastating impacts to our fishers, farmers, MMF joins Indigenous leaders in support of Mi’kmaw fishers, inherent harvesting rights On October 21, 2020, leaders representing the beginning October 1. The reopening was announced “We need to take a stand here in Manitoba. These Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), the Southern after a July 2020 letter from Manitoba, the Manitoba things are happening right across the country. I Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), the Assembly of First Hunting Guide 2020, and Métis Elders and Harvesters would be remiss if I also didn’t say that I’m scared Nations (AFN) Manitoba Region, and the Manitoba determined the moose population in Porcupine here in Manitoba. We see the violence that Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) joined Indigenous Mountains to be stable, and in Duck Mountain to happened in Nova Scotia. Racism has reared its ugly leaders and allies across the country in solidarity with be increasing. With conservation in mind, the MMF head. We don’t know what might happen here. We the Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia. issued a total of 26 unique Conservation Moose Tags know what happened in Alberta last year when two to parties of at least four Harvesters. of our Métis hunters were hunting for their families, Mi’kmaw fishers in Nova Scotia have been the target hunting for their Elders. They were murdered,” he of recent attacks, with non-Indigenous commercial Minister Goodon referred to Section 35 of the said. lobster fishers threatening Mi’kmaq inherent rights, Constitution Act, 1982, which recognizes Aboriginal including rights to make a “moderate livelihood” rights, including the right to harvest. “It has been “It scares me here in Manitoba as well. I really hope and fish out of season. Violence erupted in recent almost 40 years since the Constitution put our rights, that the rhetoric is toned down from this province, weeks, as Mi’kmaw fishers’ facilities were damaged, recognized our rights in Section 35,” he said. that we find some way, somebody from upstairs on their lobsters destroyed, and their property burned. the second floor reaching out a hand to say let’s find Sipekne’katik First Nation Chief Michael Sack was He thanked Kinew for drawing attention to the issue a solution.” also assaulted. of Métis Harvesting rights in Manitoba. Minister Goodon said, “The Métis Nation will In support for the well-being of Mi’kmaq relations in “When we look at what this Premier is trying to do, continue to support the Mi’kmaq people in this Nova Scotia, a Horse Spirit Ride for Mi’kmaw lobster to say that Aboriginal rights, Indigenous rights to Indigenization of the settlers who have taken over, fishers began at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police harvest need to be equal to his base of supporters so and are trying to take over all of the resources Headquarters in Winnipeg at 1:30, ending at the that they can hunt on the same level as us, we know that the Mi’kmaq people need to have for their Manitoba Legislative Building for a series of speeches the Supreme Court has said over and over again livelihood.” from Indigenous leaders. that’s not true,” said Minister Goodon.

Speakers included MMF Minister Will Goodon, on behalf of MMF President David Chartrand, who was unable to attend; MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee; SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels; Manitoba NDP Leader ; Long Plain First Nation Chief Dennis Meeches; Louis Young, former chief of Bloodvein First Nation; and Kevin Hart, Manitoba Regional Chief for the AFN.

“The Métis Nation stands with our First Nations brothers and sisters today,” said Minister Goodon. “It is I think a real testament when you see all Indigenous peoples across the province in Manitoba here standing up in solidarity with our cousins, with our brothers and sisters in Nova Scotia.”

Kinew noted that the erosion of inherent rights is not limited to the East Coast.

“Right now, in this very building, there is a government that is trying to legislate away the rights of First Nations people in Manitoba to hunt moose. They’re trying to legislate the right of Métis people away to hunt moose,” said Kinew. “So as much as we want to show solidarity with our relatives on the East Coast, I also ask for you to stand up for our own rights right here in Manitoba.”

In October, the province extended its moose hunting ban, stating the moose population has not recovered for the hunt to continue. The province’s announcement followed the MMF’s reopening of several Game Hunting Areas (GHA) in Porcupine Mountains and Duck Mountain on a limited basis for the harvest of bull moose to MMF Métis Harvesters METIS COMMUNITY BUSINESS FUND About the Program: The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is providing business supports to Métis community or collectively owned businesses and microbusinesses whose revenues have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will support businesses that do not qualify for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures. The Metis Community Business Fund (MCBF) will provide non-repayable financial contributions to strengthen operations and increase business viability during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of positioning businesses for recovery.

Funding: Examples of possible funding activities may include but are not limited to:

• Capital lease payments for existing equipment and machinery • Salaries and benefits, at the same rate as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and only if ineligible • Utilities • Professional fees • Monthly insurance payments • Rent or mortgage payments • Operating costs or capital expenditures related to adapting the business and services for recovery For more information please go to FISHERS www.mmf.mb.ca or call 1-800-387-6004 ARTISANS

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