President's Corner
Posted on: Sep 20, 2024
When you first elected me to serve as your President of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and energized at the prospect of advancing our journey towards self-government and greater recognition of Métis rights in Alberta. Much has happened since then—all of which are key milestones on this trajectory.
Most recently, our government strengthened our relationship with the province of Alberta with the addition of the Healing Waters Recovery Community. This community will be a welcomed resource for our Citizens who may require additional support in their recovery from addiction and substance use. We also opened the Salay Prayzaan Solar Farm, marking a new chapter in our commitment to sustainable energy. The project will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions of approximately 4,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent during its first year in operation. It will produce enough energy to offset the electricity load of all MNA buildings and MNA affiliate operations across the province, the equivalent to powering nearly 1,200 Alberta homes. Salay Prayzaan, a translation of “gift from the sun,” captures the spirit of the project and honours the deep respect and appreciation for nature that is fostered by our people.
As our government continues to prioritize the development of Métis-specific justice programs and services, we launched a petition that called on the Federal Government to reform the Parole Board of Canada. We want to ensure Métis voices are a part of their decisions when our communities have been impacted. We will continue working with, advocating for, and providing supports to Métis Albertans when navigating the criminal justice system and develop programming that is Métis culturally specific.
Right now, we are in the process of opening an Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Edmonton. This Métis-specific centre will be dedicated to delivering programming that is rooted in the tradition of our community. It will ensure our Citizens have access to land-based learning, and culturally safe, high-quality childcare as we ensure the next generation of Métis Citizens in Alberta can thrive.
From appointing our cabinet to holding 10 Citizens’ Council meetings, we’ve also been working hard to build the structures of our new government. Our departments have developed materials and educated Federal and provincial workers, industry, and other stakeholders on how changes to our governance structure affect the consultation process. We have also implemented new communication processes to ensure consultation notifications are being directed appropriately in our new government. And we pressed for Canada to continue negotiations with us to ensure we see self-government through.
These are just a few of the exciting developments to happen over the past year. And like the threads that hold together the sashes of our Métis heritage, each initiative, project or program that has been launched, developed or expanded upon, will enrich the fabric of our self-government.
Turning to the recent developments with the Métis National Council. We have received disappointing news that the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) has passed a resolution to formally withdraw from the Métis National Council (MNC).
The MNC was formed more than 40 years ago to bring a national and international voice for Métis across the Homeland. Through strong partnerships and collaboration, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and other Métis affiliate governments worked through the MNC to move forward with our self-determination and self-government journeys.
Our Métis government will continue this important work. The decision by the MN-S does not change our resolve or the very clear mandate we have from Métis Citizens within Alberta to continue to advance our self-government journey.
We will continue to negotiate a modern-day treaty with the Crown, on a nation-to-nation, government-to-government basis. We remain committed to the formal recognition of our inherent rights to self-determination and self-government and our jurisdiction as an Indigenous government. We will continue to work in collaboration with other Métis governments to advance our shared goals, as we have done for more than 90 years as the government of our Métis Citizens within Alberta. We continue to move forward, undeterred.
Thank you for putting your trust in me, and this government. I look forward to what we will accomplish in the months, and year to come.