Hello Métis Federation of Canada members.

April 14, 2025 marked the 9 year anniversary of the Daniels Decision.  A 17 year legal battle between Harry Daniels (CAP) and the Government of Canada.  The Métis Federation of Canada was an intervener in this trial to ensure the recognition of Métis rights across Canada.

Nine years and the Government of Canada has done nothing to recognize ALL Métis from coast-to-coast-to-coast.  The only Métis who gain recognition and funding are the groups in Western Canada and to date the money that flows to them is arguably squandered.

With the Canadian Federal election approaching on April 28, 2025 The Métis Federation of Canada strongly encourages our members and other unaffiliated Métis to get informed and ensure they vote.  The Métis Federation of Canada does not have lobbyists in Ottawa, but there is 400 000 to 500 000 unrepresented Métis with power to make your voices heard.

You have the right as a Canadian voter to ask questions regarding both candidates’ personal stances and party stances on Métis topics. Reach out to the party leaders and reach out to candidates running in your area.

Here are some questions you can direct to party leaders:

-What is your party’s position to ensure ALL Métis in Canada, including those outside the Red River, are represented by an organization of their choice?

-How will your party implement the 2016 Daniels v. Canada decision that confirmed the federal responsibility to All Métis and non-status Indians?

-How will your party include All Métis communities and individuals in federal initiatives? (National Housing Strategy, child and family services, post-secondary student support etc.)

Party Leaders contact information:

Honourable Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
[email protected]

Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
[email protected]

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
[email protected]

Below are further detailed questions that you can ask the candidates in your electoral area, these might take more explaining so try to meet personally at a rally, election office or for coffee:

-The Métis National Council (MNC) and its members (MMF, MN-S, MNA, MNBC and MNO) have been given hundreds of millions of dollars over the last 15 years.  What have they used the funding for?

-Audits were performed on the MNC after many complaints of misuse of public funds in 2011/2012 by AAND and 2018 by CIRNAC.  Both these audits found “discrepancies” but for the most part, the audits and their findings were swept under the rug and money continued to flow.  Will the audits ever be released publicly and will these organizations ever be held accountable for any misappropriated funds?

-The current board members of the Métis National Council sued former members and former administrators in 2021/2022 for missing funds including funds reserved for Métis Veterans.  This trial has concluded in early 2025 and awaiting judgement.  Will the Federal Government hold anyone accountable if the results show funds were misappropriated once again or will the money keep flowing?

-Indspire, the national charitable organization formerly known as the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, has received 10’s of millions of tax dollars earmarked for education and, to date, continues to discriminate against certain Métis.  Its bylaws state the following for Métis:

Métis: means a person who self-identifies as Métis. Applicants are required to provide proof of Métis identity by providing a valid Métis citizenship, membership, registration or enrolment card issued by:
1) one of the Métis Settlements in Alberta,
2) a provincial organization that is a member of the Métis National Council, which includes the Métis Nation British Columbia, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation Saskatchewan, the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Métis Nation of Ontario;
3) an Indigenous group under a modern land claims agreement; or
4) a Métis organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada

There is more than one Métis organization that is recognized by the Government of Canada yet Indspire will not award and post secondary funding to members outside of the Métis National Council (MNC) group, why is that?  Also, the MNC has largely disbanded so we assume that the funds that will no longer be distributed have been returned to the Government?

To reach your local electoral candidates visit:
https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=can&dir=cand/lst&document=index&lang=e

In conclusion, the only one coming to rescue us, is us.  All unaffiliated Métis need to get involved at the policy setting level which starts with elected officials.  Together, we have a very large voice and can achieve impossible things, but we all need to do our part individually.

For the sake our 7 generations and the next 7 generations, please take some time to email, call, and meet with your candidates and ask questions.  The more elected officials hear concerns, the better chance we have.

Maarsi, Merci, Thank You.
Métis Federation of Canada.