MMF AGA Returns to Heart of Métis Homeland in Winnipeg
Press Release
November 16, 2014
The MMF AGA is the largest Aboriginal General Assembly held in Canada. The assembly brings approximately 3,000 Metis Citizens together for the two-day event. Currently, there are over 50,000 Metis Nation citizens living in Winnipeg area and over 100,000 throughout the Province of Manitoba.
At the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday morning, MMF President David Chartrand and MNC President Clément Chartier addressed delegates along with representatives of other governments: recently elected Winnipeg City Mayor, Brian Bowman; federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Shelly Glover; former Minister of Manitoba Hydro, Stan Struthers; NDP MP Pat Martin; Madam Josee Touchette, Assistant Deputy Minister AANDC; President of the Women of the Metis Nation, Melanie Omeniho; Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Grand Chief Derek Nepinak; Peguis First Nation, Chief Glenn Hudson; RCMP Assistant Commissioner Kevin Brosseau; and Leader of the Opposition in Manitoba, Brian Pallister. Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau sent a video greeting.
Saturday afternoon was marked by a special announcement by President Chartrand, Manitoba Hydro Minister and Deputy Premier Eric Robinson, and Manitoba Hydro President & CEO Scott Thomson (see Media Release: The Manitoba Metis Federation, Government of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro Commit to New, Constructive Relationship Collaborative Path Set Out to Build New Relationship). The MMF, the Government of Manitoba, and Manitoba Hydro announced they have agreed to work to collectively build a constructive and productive working relationship. A Term Sheet agreed to on November 6, 2014 will guide the preparation of a legally binding agreement containing measures aimed at building and sustaining a productive relationship amongst the parties as well as address impacts related to past projects and concerns about how the parties will work together going forward.
The Final Agreement will be based on the following principles:
Manitoba is committed to and recognizes that it has a duty to consult with the Métis when its decisions or actions might adversely affect the exercise of their Aboriginal Rights and to reasonably accommodate Métis concerns;
Manitoba Hydro is committed to avoiding, minimizing and, where appropriate, mitigating and offsetting the effects of its existing and future operations and developments on the Aboriginal Rights of the Métis; and
The MMF is committed to representing the Manitoba Métis Community at the local, regional and provincial levels in relation to the Aboriginal rights of the Métis, the Crown’s duty to consult and in order to address any potential effects from Manitoba Hydro’s existing or future developments and operations on Métis rights, interests and way of life.
On Sunday morning, delegates participated in the annual Louis Riel Graveside Ceremony at St. Boniface Roman Catholic Cathedral Cemetery. MMF President Chartrand and MNC President Chartier were joined by other government leaders including Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger.
IBF4
