Manitoba government has 'clearly abandoned' Métis people, says federation

The head of the Manitoba Métis Federation is accusing the province's NDP government and its aboriginal affairs minister, Eric Robinson, of catering to First Nations interests to the exclusion of the province's Métis people.

MMF president David Chartrand says the latest throne speech, which was delivered on Monday, barely mentions anything about or for the province's Métis.

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He took direct aim at Robinson, saying the minister not only ignores Métis concerns, but he has never had a meeting with Métis officials in the 10 years he has held the portfolio.

Chartrand even suggested that Robinson's department be renamed "First Nations Affairs" instead of Aboriginal Affairs.

"I think the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs in Manitoba has clearly abandoned the Métis people," Chartrand told CBC's Up to Speed program on Tuesday.

"It's not just one throne speech; I'm talking [a] decade of throne speeches, and so it's a continuation of a failure of the minister and clearly it falls back on the shoulders of the premier of Manitoba."

Chartrand said discussions surrounding economic development, from Manitoba Hydro projects to initiatives in the province's north, all appear to involve First Nations.

As well, he said the government has not consulted the MMF or the Métis community on issues mentioned in the throne speech such as education, job training, the environment and the fisheries.

"I'm not opposed to First Nations at all. In fact, First Nations, I wish them well in their development and their endeavours," he said.

"But clearly at the end of the day, I think it's vital for a department that calls itself Aboriginal Affairs to have the responsibility of their mandate, to cover the mandate."

Seeking 'our fair share'

He added that the Métis are being ignored even though they are founders of Manitoba and there are about 120,000 Métis people in the province today, with the Métis community making up the largest indigenous group in Winnipeg.

Chartrand said current Premier Greg Selinger and his predecessor, Gary Doer, have been made aware of the Métis federation's concerns regarding Robinson and the department.

He added that while the federation has a good relationship with other government ministers, including Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh, he wants Selinger to ask Robinson — whose portfolio includes the Métis community — why he has yet to meet formally with Métis officials.

"I'm talking not in passing — he'll say, 'I met with them' or 'My door is open.' He's never officially had a meeting with the Métis people in 10 years in discussing long-term, short-term strategy with us about … our input to the economy and the support of this," he said.

"We're not asking for charity. We pay tax like anybody else, and we're just asking our fair share."

The MMF is also insulted that nobody from the department came to a memorial service in St. Boniface on Monday marking 130 years since Louis Riel was hanged for treason.

Finance minister responds

Robinson was not available to comment on Tuesday but Finance Minister Greg Dewar issued a written statement saying the Métis are part of the province's vision as laid out in the throne speech.

"As a proud member of the Manitoba Métis Federation, and Manitoba's Minister of Finance, I am proud to be part of a government that believes in maintaining a strong working relationship with the Manitoba Métis Federation as we work together to create good jobs and grow our economy," Dewar said.

"Monday's throne speech began by acknowledging our presence on Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Red River Métis and went on to recognize Manitoba's founder Louis Riel, and outlines our goal of realizing his vision for a strong and inclusive province. Our Throne Speech also lays out a strong, strategic vision for the kind of province Manitobans want to see in 2020. We know that Métis people in our province are part of this vision, and we look forward to working with the MMF in advancing more training and jobs opportunities, especially Métis youth.

"Our vision is one where all peoples are included in building our province for the future. In September, a number of our ministers were pleased to attend the MMF convention to support the Federation and hear their concerns."