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First Nations, Inuit and Red River Métis Leadership United in Opposition to Indigenous Identity Fraud

Press Release

(Winnipeg, Man., in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis and Treaty 1 – May 15, 2024)

First Nations, Inuit and Red River Métis Leadership passed two support resolutions and one declaration condemning the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), the NunatuKavut Community Council and other fraudulent organizations during the historic Indigenous Identity Fraud Summit in Winnipeg this week.

Co-hosted by the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, and the Chiefs of Ontario (COO), the two-day summit brought First Nations, Inuit and Red River Métis leaders from across Canada together to discuss identity fraud issues.

The summit marked an unprecedented gathering of First Nations, Inuit, and Red River Métis leadership from across Canada who share concerns about the wholesale theft of their ancestors, heritage, language, and culture.

United by these concerns, Leadership and an expert panel of academics highlighted the scale of identity theft from individuals looking to gain personally to contemporary groups who form organizations that steal from Indigenous Peoples on a national scale.

One support resolution was passed that denounces the actions of the MNO and calls on Canada and the Métis National Council (MNC) to withdraw their support of the federal government’s Bill C-53. The support resolution calls Bill C-53: “the ultimate reward of identity theft at a collective level,” and calls on provincial and federal governments to stop pandering to those who wish to expropriate Inherent and Treaty rights.

“We have come together as the legitimate Indigenous Nations to show the generations to come that we are united in fighting for their future,” said Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare. “Legitimate rights-holders have put Canada and the fraudulent organizations they endorse on notice—we will not give in.”

Leadership unanimously adopted a declaration that condemns any person or group falsely claiming an Indigenous identity for financial gain, academic recognition, or any other purpose, and that such actions are unacceptable and contribute to the ongoing marginalization of authentic First Nation, Inuit and Red River Métis voices and experiences.

“The intent of this summit is not to pick a fight. We have every right and all responsibility to stand up for ourselves and protect our identity. The time to bring this to a head is now,” said Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand. “It is the blood, sweat, and tears of our Red River Métis Ancestors and leaders that have earned us our place as Canada’s Partner in Confederation, the Founders of Manitoba, and recognition as a National Government. I ask these other groups to show us who you are—tell us your history, what your language and culture are, who your heroes are—without stealing what was born at the heart of the Red River Métis Homeland.”

The declaration states that First Nations, Inuit, and Red River Métis will assert their rights to protect and revitalize their cultures, languages, and traditions. The declaration also calls on each level of government, national organizations, academic institutions, and industry proponents to cease any actions that accommodate individuals and groups, and to work with legitimate First Nations, Inuit, and Red River Métis to end the appropriation of our Peoples respective cultures and identities.

MMF and COO will continue to work together on this critical issue in a collective manner against Indigenous identity theft.

The second resolution calling on Leadership to denounce the illegitimate identity claims of the NunatuKavut Community Council was also passed unanimously.

“Identity fraud threatens the very core of who we are as Labrador Inuit. It erodes our sense of self, disrupts our way of life, prolongs historical injustices, and threatens our collective progress as true founding peoples of this great country,” says Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe, who introduced the resolution, supported by Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue. “By coming together at events like this summit, we demonstrate our commitment to finding solutions to addressing this real threat. We must collaborate, share knowledge, and develop strategies. Our collective efforts will ensure that our children, grandchildren, and generations yet to come, can proudly embrace their heritage without fear of deception or exploitation.”

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The Chiefs of Ontario supports all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis. The Red River Métis are a distinct Indigenous Nation and People and Canada’s Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.

Established on December 1, 2005, the Nunatsiavut Government represents over 7,000 Beneficiaries of the Constitutionally protected Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.

For more information, media may contact:

Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

Isak Vaillancourt (he/him)
Communications Manager
Policy and Communications Sector
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-819-8184
isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

Bert Pomeroy
Director of Communications
Nunatsiavut Government
bert.pomeroy@nunatsiavut.com

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