President's Corner - March 7, 2025
Posted on: Mar 07, 2025
Dear Citizens,
We as Métis people have always been builders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. From the fur trade to today’s critical minerals and oil and gas sectors, we have been a driving force in Canada’s economy. But for too long, we’ve been sidelined. We’ve been excluded from decisions about our own lands and resources. That’s changing, and it’s changing now.
At the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference in Toronto, I spoke on a panel hosted by Invest In Canada. To the audience of industry and government partners, I made it clear: the Métis are not here to be passive observers. We are here to be partners—full partners. This is about having an equity stake in these major projects. It’s about securing our future with own-source revenues, creating real jobs for Métis people at every level, and opening the door for Métis businesses to grow and thrive. Our communities deserve these opportunities, and we won’t stop until we get them.
We are also standing firm on our rights. Métis have their rights recognized and affirmed under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution and we will make sure they are respected. That means mining companies and project proponents must come to us early and involve us in every step of the process. It means there is a Duty to Consult with the Métis, and we need to be included in decisions that affect our traditional lands and way of life.
But let’s be clear, there are obstacles. Many Métis governments need the capacity to fully engage in these complex discussions. We need the government and industry to step up and provide the funding and support to help us be heard.
U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions are another area where the Métis must be at the table. Our Citizens are directly impacted by these decisions, and it’s time that we are recognized as key players in these discussions and as part of the solution. That’s why I wrote to the Prime Minister and the Premier, urging this recognition while also highlighting the important role the Métis can and should play in a Canadian response.
So, I urge you: get involved. Engage with our government. Stay informed. We are building something important, something lasting. A future where Métis Citizens are full, equal partners in the growth of this country. We will make sure that the Métis people get what we deserve: a seat at the table, the respect we’ve earned, and the opportunities to thrive.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will build a stronger, more prosperous future.
Andrea Sandmaier
President, Otipemisiwak Métis Government