MÉTIS NATION – SASKATCHEWAN PROVINCIAL MÉTIS COUNCIL Summary of April 2017 – January 2018 Meetings Summary of PMC meeting discussions and decisions NOT the official minutes of the business conducted by the Provincial Métis Council JANUARY 13 and 14, 2018 • Re-establishment of locals and the election and development of local Boards Communications Strategy • Preparations for 2018 Batoche Days A verbal report was provided on the Métis Nation (July 19-23, 2018) – Saskatchewan (MN-S) Communications • Establishment of regional Registry offices Strategy. • Rationale for the Gabriel Dumont Institute The Provincial Métis Council (PMC) passed a (GDI) to administer Urban Programming for resolution authorizing the MN-S Interim Chief Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) funding. Executive Officer to negotiate the interim The PMC requested that the Minister of UPIP implementation of a Communication Strategy, and the Transition Team meet as soon as pending budget considerations. possible to draft recommendations to the MN-S PMC regarding the administration of UPIP. Update from La Loche Robert St. Pierre, Mayor of La Loche, offered comments regarding a proposed memorial site Economic Development in La Loche. Tristan Zachow, SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO), and National President Update, Clément Chartier Aaron Murray, Derek Murray Consulting and Métis National Council (MNC) President Chartier Associates, reported on: commented on: • The availability of Community Capacity Strategy Funding to support the regions • The April 28-29, 2017 MNC General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution to • Plans to engage with regions when they were commemorate the Métis Nation’s 150th ready to proceed. Anniversary of Joining Canada, in 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) • Encouragement for all Governing Members The following resolution was passed: to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Canada in “WHEREAS the MN-S as the government of the order to move forward with the Metis Nation Métis in Saskatchewan, is mandated to advance Framework Agreement. Métis rights, self-government and self- determination in Saskatchewan; and Regional Directors’ and Ministerial Reports During a review of reports, comments were WHEREAS Section 35 of the Constitution Act, offered regarding: 1982, states that “the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada The MN-S’ progress towards restoring • are hereby recognized and affirmed” and “the governance ‘Aboriginal peoples of Canada’ includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis people”; and April 2017 – January 2018 MN-S PMC Meeting Summary (Revised March 19, 2018) Page 1 of 13 WHEREAS the Supreme Court of Canada has Resolution – Joint Cabinet Meeting Between noted that Section 35 of the Constitution Act, the MN-S and MMF 1982, calls for a process of reconciliation The following resolution was passed: between the Crown and Aboriginal peoples “WHEREAS the Manitoba Metis Federation through which the rights and outstanding claims (MMF) and the MN-S Cabinets / Boards / of Aboriginal peoples are determined, Leadership met at Cranberry Portage, Manitoba recognized and respected through honourable in January 1978 to discuss pressing Métis negotiations with the goal of reaching just and Nation issues, including land and self- lasting settlements; and government rights; and WHEREAS the MN-S is currently participating, WHEREAS the MN-S was to host the next along with the Government of Canada, in such a session, which has not taken place to date; and process as described in the preceding clause; and WHEREAS the MMF has been successful in safeguarding and promoting the provincial court WHEREAS this process is known as the victory in the Goodon case 2009, and the non- Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self recognition of the provincial court victory in the Determination table and is meant to add Belhumeur case 2007 by the Saskatchewan substance to Section 35 Métis Rights; and government; WHEREAS Canada is committed to working, on THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PMC a nation-to-nation, government-to-government authorizes MN-S President McCallum to basis, with the Métis Nation, through bilateral propose by letter to MMF President David negotiations with the MN-S, to advance Chartrand that the MN-S offers to convene the reconciliation and renew the relationship through 1978 commitment to host the next joint meeting cooperation, respect for Métis Nation rights, and of the respective Cabinets; and moving beyond the status quo; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Joint WHEREAS the MN-S and the Government of Cabinets meeting be proposed to be held in Canada are ready to sign a Memorandum of March 2018 in a location in southern Understanding (MOU), which will set the stage Saskatchewan impacted by the Belhumeur for the negotiation of a Framework Agreement, case; and which will define the process of formal negotiations on Section 35 Métis Rights; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the main topics of the Joint Cabinets meeting will be to review WHEREAS the items contemplated for formal developments since the 1978 Cranberry Portage negotiations include, but are not limited to, the session, and the examination of the harvesting MN-S Land Claim filed in North West rights issues arising from the Goodon and Saskatchewan in 1994, Métis Self Government, Belhumeur cases, in which the court recognized etc.; that harvesting areas abut each other at the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the MN-S Manitoba – Saskatchewan boundary.” PMC give MN-S President McCallum and Vice- President Morin the authority and mandate to Resolution Supporting the Tom Isaac sign the abovementioned MOU on behalf of the Retainer Payment MN-S; and The PMC passed a motion authorizing the payment of Thomas Isaac’s $25,000 retainer. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the PMC strongly encourage President McCallum and Vice-President Morin to sign the MOU with Self Government Negotiations Framework Canada as soon as possible.” Agreement Signing It was noted that signing of the Self Government Governance Gathering Negotiations Framework Agreement would move The PMC resolved to schedule a Governance forward following the signing of the MOU. Workshop in February 2018 for local Presidents and the Presidents of the Youth and Women’s Councils, to focus on governance training, a review of legislation, and Duty to Consult. April 2017 – January 2018 MN-S PMC Meeting Summary (Revised March 19, 2018) Page 2 of 13 Resolution – Batoche 2020 WHEREAS the MN-S believes Batoche, as a The following resolution was passed: sacred and cherished historic site, is important for the continued existence of the Métis in “WHEREAS the General Assembly of the MNC western Canada as a distinct nation and people; in April 2017 adopted the “2020 Resolution” with and support of the MN-S delegates; and WHEREAS the MN-S, on behalf of the Métis WHEREAS the 2020 Resolution sets out a Nation, seeks ownership of the traditional land at number of social and cultural activities, as well Batoche, along with the reparations suffered as as political/governance measures, some of a result of the Battle of Batoche and subsequent which impact the MN-S and Batoche directly; governmental actions over the intervening years; and and WHEREAS the MN-S needs to begin planning WHEREAS the MN-S has entered into Section for 2020 commemoration/celebration activities; 35 rights reconciliation negotiations with the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PMC Government of Canada; mandates MN-S President McCallum to begin THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the MN-S the process of implementing Resolution 2020, PMC mandates MN-S President McCallum and acting on its own behalf for measures calling for Minister of Batoche Sherry McLennan to engage such action by the MN-S, and collectively with in a process or processes of negotiation, which other Métis Nation Governing Members will lead to an agreement with the Government requiring broader Métis Nation action, in of Canada resulting in the Batoche National particular with the MMF, which is mandated to Historic Site lands being returned to the MN-S; head up the proposed 2020 Resolution and Committee.” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this process Resolution – Exploratory Discussion with be approached in a rights based manner, giving Parks Canada Regarding Repatriation of President McCallum and the MN-S Minister of Batoche Historical Site Batoche the flexibility of achieving ownership The following resolution was passed: and control of the Batoche National Historic Site; and “WHEREAS the second provisional government of the Métis Nation was headquartered at BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that President Batoche in 1884/85, which was the site of the McCallum and the MN-S Minister of Batoche last battle between Canada and the Métis shall provide updates to the PMC, with the final Nation; and draft agreement presented to the PMC for approval.” WHEREAS President Louis Riel, upon his voluntary surrender to the government troops Budget Update after the Battle of Batoche was subsequently The PMC authorized the payment of all tried and executed on November 16, 1885; and outstanding accounts payables. WHEREAS the Government of Canada, through the Minister of Heritage Canada, is seeking Business Arising from the Minutes positive measures to honour President Louis The PMC adopted in principle the “Interim Rules Riel; and of Order and Parliamentary Procedure” and the “Interim Code of Conduct – Conflict of Interest WHEREAS the MN-S recognizes the importance Policy”, with a view to finally adopting them at of Reconciliation and embarks on this initiative in the next PMC meeting. that spirit; and WHEREAS the Métis Nation will be marking, by Invitation to Junior Games commemoration and celebration, the The PMC acknowledged an invitation received 150th anniversary of the entry of the Métis Nation to attend the Junior Games March 23-28, 2018 into Canadian Confederation through the in Cumberland House. Manitoba Act 1870 and the Rupert’s Land Order 1870; and April 2017 – January 2018 MN-S PMC Meeting Summary (Revised March 19, 2018) Page 3 of 13 Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples o Director of Housing and Infrastructure It was confirmed that a UPIP Committee had o Director of ISETS been created.