Titled 'Voices of the People', the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan is discussing what changes should be made to their constitution with members across the province. (Photo submitted/Métis Nation of Sask.)

By Susan McNeil

Métis Nation reform

Métis Nation looks to re-vamp constitution

Apr 21, 2022 | 1:00 PM

A series of public consultations have kicked off as the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) works to re-vamp its constitution.

Changing the document was part of an agreement struck with the federal government in 2019 and is also wanted by Métis citizens, said vice president Michelle LeClair.

“We had started it 2019 and then of course COVID hit, so now we’re re-engaging with citizens so yes, it’s exciting,” she said.

The series of meetings with members started in La Loche and Buffalo Narrows recently and more southern communities will start immediately.

A meeting will happen this evening in Porcupine Plain followed by one in Melfort tomorrow and Cumberland House is scheduled for April 23.

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In Saskatoon meetings are set for April 26, May 28 and June 16.

Citizens in Lloydminster will have their chance on May 3 followed by The Battlefords the following day.

Also scheduled are La Ronge on May 12 and Prince Albert on June 15.

Full details of the meetings and those in the remainder of the province can be found at the Metis Voice website

These will not be the last meetings. Because the scope of what needs to be addressed is so large, MN-S has decided to bundle topics and have multiple meetings, with one bunch of topics addressed at a time.

The first bundle includes appeal processes and how internal issues are handled, the creation of a Métis Nation tribunal, citizenship and elections.

“We’re dealing with the elections act and the amending formula, if we want to change anything in the constitution,” said LeClair. They are also looking at renewing regional boundaries.

There are seven bundles that will be dealt with.

When the MN-S signed a self-government agreement in 2019 with the Government of Canada, they agreed to some changes. Members were also asking for some changes so the MN-S started the long, intensive process.

“We are going through constitutional reform which we have to do. Our constitution is lacking in some places and needs obviously some additions to reflect self-government and good governance,” said LeClair.

The agreement included a commitment for the MN-S to improve in areas such as conflict of interest rules and government structures.

They will also be making sure that the MN-S laws don’t conflict with the laws or bylaws of local groups.

“It’s a huge undertaking but it’s something that our citizens have been asking for so there’s a directive by our Métis Nation legislative assembly to do constitutional reform,” LeClair said.

When it comes to their guiding documents and how things should work, the members of MN-S are engaged.

“We’ve had really good response with people wanting to talk about fair election processes. How do we internally deal with matters that would have been brought before the courts previously?” LeClair said.

Like other governments, the MN-S has multiple areas of responsibility, ranging from housing to education and holding other governments to account when it comes to indigenous rights.

“We do a lot. We are the governing structure for Métis People in Saskatchewan. Number one, we protect our Section 35 rights,” said LeClair, a reference to Section 35 of the Canadian constitution that recognizes the rights of indigenous people, which includes the Métis.

“People are really interested in obviously how this is going to affect them and their families,” said LeClair.

The Métis people in Saskatchewan are scattered across the province, some in recognized communities and others as part of larger communities, such as in Prince Albert.

While there are now over 21,000 signed members, LeClair said they know based on Statistics Canada information that about 80,000 people consider themselves to be Métis.

Determining what the membership guidelines should be is also part of the process and all people potentially affected are being encouraged to attend a meeting, not just registered citizens.

Other meetings are as follows, youth consultations online April 25 and May 18 and general consultations online May 17 and May 19.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow