Manitoba Metis Federation Annual General Assembly Winnipeg, Manitoba / September 22-24, 2017 ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ 2017 Annual Report Our Mission “The Manitoba Metis Federation serves the Métis Nation’s Manitoba Métis Community and its citizens through advancing their cultural, social, economic and political well-being and through a strong, representative and self-sustaining Métis Government founded on the inherent rights of the Manitoba Métis Community.” Our Vision “A strong, democratic and accountable Métis government in Manitoba committed to improving the lives of our citizens and empowered by a proud and vibrant People forever united within the Métis Nation.” 2017 MMF Annual Report III Table of Contents President’s Greetings His Worship Brian Bowman Dr. David N. Chartrand, LL.D. (hon), O.M. ..................... 1 Mayor of Winnipeg ..................................................... 13 Greetings from Dignitaries Mr. Danny Smyth Chief of Police, Winnipeg Police Service..................... 13 President Clément Chartier Métis National Council ................................................. 4 Mr. Hartley Richardson, C.M., O.M., LL.D. Chief Executive Officer and President, James The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Richardson & Sons Ltd. ............................................... 14 Prime Minister of Canada ............................................. 5 Dr. Eric Newell, O.C., A.O.E. The Honourable Bill Morneau, P.C., M.P. Chancellor Emeritus, University of Alberta Minister of Finance ....................................................... 6 Former Chair and CEO, Syncrude Canada Ltd. ............ 14 The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P. Diamond Sponsor Greetings Kildonan – St. Paul ........................................................ 6 Metis N4 Construction Inc. ......................................... 17 Her Honour The Honourable Janice C. Filmon, C.M., Platinum Sponsor Greetings O.M. Forbes Bros. Ltd. Powerline Construction .................. 19 Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba ............................... 7 Agenda The Right Honourable Paul Martin, P.C. ....................... 7 Annual General Assembly Agenda ............................. 21 The Honourable Brian Pallister Premier of Manitoba .................................................... 8 Minutes of the 48th Annual General Assembly.......... 23 Anita Campbell Annual Reports Minister of Finance & Human Resources / Citizenship .................................................................. 31 Spokeswoman, Infinity Women Secretariat ................. 8 Energy and Infrastructure ........................................... 37 President Audrey Poitras Métis Nation of Alberta ................................................ 9 Environment and Mining ............................................ 45 Mr. Terry Duguid, M.P. Fisheries ..................................................................... 49 Winnipeg South ............................................................ 9 Health and Wellness ................................................... 53 Mr. Dan Vandal Saint Boniface – Saint Vital ......................................... 10 Housing ...................................................................... 57 Mr. Robert-Falcon Ouelette, M.P. Information Technology ............................................. 59 Winnipeg Centre ........................................................ 10 Louis Riel Capital Corporation .................................... 63 Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody Louis Riel Institute ...................................................... 67 Commanding Officer, “D” Division, RCMP .................. 11 Manitoba Métis Heritage Fund .................................. 71 The Honourable Eileen Clarke, M.L.A. Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations ........ 11 Metis Community Liaison Department ...................... 75 The Honourable Cathy Cox, M.L.A. Metis Economic Development Fund .......................... 81 Minister of Sustainable Development ........................ 12 Metis Economic Development Organization .............. 85 Ms. Flor Marcelino, M.L.A. Metis Employment and Training................................. 89 Logan .......................................................................... 12 V Metis Justice Institute ................................................ 93 Metis Residential School Report ................................. 99 Métis Rights and Constitution .................................. 103 Michif Language ....................................................... 107 Natural Resources and Agriculture ........................... 109 Pemmican Publications ............................................ 113 Property Management ............................................. 115 Provincial Education ................................................. 117 Riel House National Historic Site .............................. 121 Tripartite Self-Government Negotiations ................. 123 Youth ........................................................................ 127 VI Celebrating 50 Years of Métis Governance The power of positive partnerships. Indigenous communities are both our partners and our neighbours, like the Manitoba Métis Federation. Through skills development and training, leadership programs, afterschool programs and scholarships, we are helping to fuel stronger, more meaningful relationships. VIII 2017 MMF Annual Report Our Sponsors Diamond Platinum Gold Bronze Youth Media À la Carte Murray N. Trachtenberg B.A, LL.B. Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public Priority Financial Inc. Matthew Edwards, CPA IX Annual Greetings President David N. Chartrand, LL.D. (hon), O.M. Manitoba Metis Federation I give a warm welcome to all our Métis Elders, Veterans, Citizens and Dignitaries joining us as we celebrate 50 years of Métis governance at this year’s Annual General Assembly here in the Heart of the Métis Nation Homeland. Thank you for taking the time to participate. The very foundation of the Manitoba Metis Federation rests on the principle that it is the people’s democracy that is the essence of good governance. I also want to recognize and give a special thank you to our many sponsors who have once again helped make our Assembly the success that our People have come to expect from their Métis Government. I want to recognize the champions, leaders, staff, and volunteers, who made the Métis Government what it is today. I thank the torchbearers here in Manitoba – a law that is respected by the province to for their leadership in lighting the way. this day. It is my honour and the privilege of my Cabinet that Manitoba Then in 2013, the Manitoba Metis Federation made history hosts the largest gathering of Métis Citizens from across the when we won our Land Claim case in the Supreme Court of Homeland. Renowned Métis leader Cuthbert Grant and his Canada the very first of its kind. It was declared Canada did men flew the Métis Nation’s Infinity flag during the turbulent not honour its constitutional promise to the Métis and instead times in and around the 1816 Battle of Seven Oaks. This brought dishonour to the Crown. When I was first elected 20 Battle, called the Victory of Frog Plain by the Metis, is a critical years ago, I promised the Métis Citizens I would take our case event in the emergence of the Métis Nation. Here we asserted against Canada and fight it all the way to the Supreme Court. ourselves as an independent and culturally distinct people. It I kept that promise and all the credit goes to you, our Metis marks a historic time when the Métis emerged triumphant Citizens. Thank you for believing in your Métis Government. after being forced to fight for our right to free trade and our We know you are counting on us to do what is right and in right to exist. Since 1967, the Manitoba Metis Federation has your best interests. We will respect, honour, and protect your made significant strides in responsible Métis governance. Our hopes and your dreams. We will honour the future of our 50th year as a Métis Government is a good time to reflect Métis Nation. upon the great achievements we have made. More recently, in April 2016, the Supreme Court ruled in A big step forward came in 1982 with our inclusion in the their landmark decision in the Daniels Case confirmed the Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 as one of Canada’s federal government has a fiduciary responsibility to and the three Aboriginal Peoples. It was with great excitement and legislative authority for the Métis. This decision strengthens enthusiasm that the Metis Child, Family and Community our case with Canada for a renewed nation-to-nation Services Agency received the formal mandate from the government-to-government relationship – one that is built on Province of Manitoba to deliver child and family services a level field, recognizing our inherent rights of collective self- province-wide on September 13, 2003. Also, in 2003, the determination and self-government. Powley Supreme Court case upheld the Métis right to harvest. We are taking the deep roots of our struggles since the early In 2004, we published the first Métis Laws of the Harvest 1800s, weaving those together with today’s achievements, 1 and creating a constitutionally protected self-government. Our greatest Métis leader, Louis Riel, paid the ultimate sacrifice of his very life. He is smiling down upon us from heaven with great pride to see his little Métis Nation thrive and to have come so far. He knows his sacrifice was not in vain. As we