It is Election Time in BC

Introducing Earl Belcourt

Experience & Integrity There are a number of reasons why I will be running for President of the Métis Nation BC. None more important then balancing the scales of fairness to our inherent right of self government. Through self governing initiatives our people will one day take control of our destiny - putting to an end over a hundred years of suppression, discrimination, and control! Our Nation will put in place a future for our youth, our people, our Elders. How do we do this? Through our collective experience and integrity as aboriginal people. Many of us have dedicated years of unwaivering and enduring service to the Métis people in British Columbia and Canada. Personally, throughout those years I have always considered myself a grassroots person with grassroots values - learning more from my mistakes than successes. Métis communities throughout BC have made significant gains, all must be commended. Sometimes changes facilitate progress and all Métis people benefit from progress within their communities. The thrust of this website is to continue to gainer insight from the grassroots people and communities. This valuable information will aid in putting together an effective, realistic, and collective workable election platform - with a vision for continued success within all Métis communities. Sincerely, Earl Belcourt

Aboriginal Women Policy in Alberta???

Greetings Friends:

This week in the Alberta Legislature, Alberta’s NDP Leader Brian Mason asked some interesting questions of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

Now – we need to keep up the pressure to ensure it is covered – please forward this to interested parties.

Regards,

Rob Pearson

Director of Outreach
Alberta NDP Opposition
501 Legislature Annex - 9718-107 Street
Edmonton, Alberta. T5K 1E4

P. 780.415.1801
C. 780.499.5303
F. 780.415.0701

rob.pearson@assembly.ab.ca
www.ndpopposition.ab.ca/

614 Alberta Hansard May 12, 2008

Aboriginal Women’s Issues

Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On Saturday 200

people participated in the Stolen Sisters walk in Edmonton to raise

awareness of the fact that more than 500 western Canadian aboriginal

women have been murdered or gone missing in recent decades.

Provincial and national aboriginal women’s summits have made

recommendations that governments do more to assist aboriginal

women to participate in the economy and to practise and preserve

their cultures. At the national summit the Member for Lesser Slave

Lake declared that the government supported those recommendations,

but nearly a year later no action has been taken. My question

is to the minister of aboriginal affairs. Why has this government

done nothing to implement these recommendations to improve the

status of aboriginal women after promising to do so?

The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Aboriginal Relations.

Mr. Zwozdesky: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, we have done

quite a bit. It should be a reminder to all here that we did provide a

grant of $15,000 last year to the Institute for the Advancement of

Aboriginal Women and also to the same group about another

$50,000 in January of this year to work on these very issues, and we

are doing that in tandem with them now.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Mason: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, that’s great, but

given that there’s still no mention of women in the government’s

aboriginal policy, will the minister admit that this absence represents

his government’s negligence and neglect of this important group of

Albertans?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, there’s no negligence whatsoever.

In fact, I was just at the special Esquao awards. I don’t recall if the

member asking the question was there as well, but we saluted

aboriginal women for what they were doing, and we tried to give

them the hope and the encouragement to continue in that vein. We

as a government are also working on that, but the issues, I am

finding, are extremely complex, and that’s one reason we’ll be

addressing them at the conference at the end of July with other

ministers from across Canada.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Mason: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, this member

has been at the Esquao awards, presenting awards, for nine consecutive

years, just so the minister knows.

I want to know if the minister will commit to implementing these

recommendations and give the House a clear timetable for doing so.

Mr. Zwozdesky: Well, as soon as we have them all formulated and

the proper consultations have been taken, Mr. Speaker, I’ll be happy

to specifically answer those that we’re able to act on immediately

and those that might require some further study. But rest assured

that we are supportive of aboriginal women, and I as minister will do

everything I can to help them along the way.

Thank you

METIS NATION OF ALBERTA
#100 Delia Gray Building
11738 Kingsway
Edmonton, AB T5G0X5
Phone: (780) 455-2200
Fax: (780) 452 894

Press Release

Alberta Court Upholds MNA Judiciary Council’s Decision to Reprimand and Suspend Rick Boucher Until 2010

Metis Self-Government Institutions Respected and Vindicated

Edmonton, AB (May 2, 2008) – Yesterday, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta upheld the decision of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Judiciary Council to reprimand and suspend Rick Boucher, MNA Region 1 Vice President.

Justice M.A. Binder, of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench concluded that the MNA Judiciary Council was within its “jurisdiction” in issuing its December 18, 2007, written decision that Mr. Boucher’s actions were “gravely detrimental” to the Métis Nation and suspending him until 2010.

“The Alberta Court validated what our own Métis self-government institution, the MNA Judiciary Council, correctly confirmed back in December 2007. Namely, Métis leaders are elected to serve the interests of the Métis people, not their own self interest,” said President Poitras.

The initial complaint against Mr. Boucher, to the MNA Judiciary Council, was filed in May 2007. It was grounded on MNA Provincial Council’s unanimous motion (seconded by Boucher) to pursue a direct, bilateral agreement with Health Canada for the delivery of the Aboriginal Health Human Resource Initiative (AHHRI), as opposed to entering an unmanageable, unrealistic sub-agreement with the Métis National Council (MNC) for the delivery of this federal program.

In March 2007, unbeknownst to the MNA President, and the majority of Provincial Council, and MNA Region One Regional Council, Mr. Boucher negotiated and entered into an agreement with the MNC for the delivery of the same AHHRI funding through Metco Ventures Inc., a company privately owned by Boucher, as 100 per cent shareholder, at the signing of the agreement. The agreement provided for Metco Ventures Inc. to deliver Métis health programs in Alberta, rather than the MNA.

The MNA Judiciary Council found that Mr. Boucher “made a decision to use a company he controlled to take an agreement away from the MNA”, that Mr. Boucher “owed a duty to the MNA” and that “he had no right to act on his own contrary to the motion” passed by the MNA Provincial Council in February 2007.

The MNA Judiciary Council also concluded that:

The MNA could not operate if every Councillor felt entitled to take information obtained through the MNA and then act on their own through companies preventing the MNA from proceeding with negotiating agreements when the Provincial Council had authorized the negotiation of such agreements. …

Provincial Council members do not have the right to act on their own because they disagree with the MNA Executives or the MNA Provincial Council. …

People in the position of Mr. Boucher as a member of the Provincial Council harm the integrity and credibility of the entire Métis Nation of Alberta by ignoring the process for governing affairs of the Provincial Council.

Based on these findings, the MNA Judiciary Council reprimanded and immediately suspended Mr. Boucher from the MNA Provincial Council and from holding specific positions in the MNA until December 18, 2010. Mr. Boucher rejected the jurisdiction and questioned the integrity of the Métis Nation to govern its own affairs by attempting to have the MNA Judiciary Council decision overturned by a non-Métis court.

Yesterday, Mr. Boucher’s attempts were completely rejected by that non-Métis court.

“It is now time that all members of the MNA Provincial Council focus their attention on doing what we were elected to do,” President Poitras added. “We must now come together to push forward on our Métis rights agenda and to help Métis children, families and communities.”

Marlene Lanz, MNA Region 3 President and Minister for Family and Wellness said, “I also hope the Métis National Council’s President, Clem Chartier, and the former MNC Minister for Health, David Chartrand, understand what this judgment means. They should not have used the MNC and Métis health dollars as a way to interfere in politics in Alberta. They should have respected the MNA President and the MNA Provincial Council, rather than trying to pretend they know best for Alberta Métis.”

Sylvia Johnson, MNA Region 6 President, added, “I am very pleased that we can finally put some closure on this issue. Now we need to get moving on the very necessary work that needs to be done for our Métis people to continue moving the Métis Nation forward.
In my view, this was a triumph and a huge step towards Métis self-government when the Court of Queens Bench in the Province of Alberta recognized and upheld the decision of our Métis Judiciary Council.”

“It has been truly sad that some elected Métis leaders have allowed the Alberta Government to use our internal conflicts as an excuse to ignore Métis priorities that our nation is facing. Métis harvesting rights, the Crown’s duty to consult our communities, the housing needs of Métis families, the health and safety of our children and Elders. These need to be the priorities of all members of the MNA Provincial Council. Not just positioning for an election in the fall,” said Cecil Bellrose, MNA Region 4 President. “I would like to congratulate President Poitras and the Judiciary Council for remaining steady throughout this process.”

Karen Collins, MNA Region 2 President added, “While it is unfortunate that so much time and energy has been dedicated to deal with Mr. Boucher’s actions: the principle that elected Métis leadership must be accountable and act honourably on behalf of the Métis people was something worth fighting for. Métis citizens should expect nothing less than what other Canadians expect of their elected leadership.”

For additional information contact:

Marilyn Underschultz
MNA Communications
Ph: (780) 455-2200

Just a Little History Lesson from our Friend Rene

Hi

Just a few words to let you know Mechif is a people and a language. When European came and landed in lower Canada, they cross with native women. Children were known as little mechif, they became trappeure voyageurre. Courere de Bwa came to Manitoba and crossed with natives and off springs were little metis. Michif is Cree writing. Mechif is French mechif.

I am a mechif not a metis.

UN VYEU MECHIF RENE PROULX GT GRANDSON OF PAUL PROULX YOU CAN SEE IS PIC ON METIS BARE FACTS BLOG MANITOBA PROV GOV. PIC

Reply from Ted Morton on Cronic Waste Disease Deer Cull

Hi

This is the response I got from Ted Morton; I emailed him from the Metis Mix blog site.

Marlene

---

From: SRD Minister [mailto:SRD.Minister@gov.ab.ca]
Sent: April 8, 2008 3:11 PM
To: mlanz@metis.org
Subject: Deer Cull - Chronic Wasting Disease AR18863

Thank you for your March 18, 2008 e-mail regarding the chronic wasting disease control program. I appreciate the opportunity to respond on this matter.

I can certainly understand your interest in the health of Alberta deer. As a department, Sustainable Resource Development shares the same concern for conserving wildlife species. The decision to conduct deer-cull programs was a difficult one, especially for staff who have dedicated their careers to wildlife conservation. Although this was a tough choice, it was necessary to get chronic wasting disease under control.

Alberta’s program is based on the advice of a panel of international experts on chronic wasting disease who recommend reducing deer populations to help combat the spread of this non-native disease. Alberta uses the combined efforts of hunters, landowners and Sustainable Resource Development staff to help reduce deer numbers in high risk areas. The department has also enhanced hunting opportunities over the past several years in places where the disease occurs. It is important to remember that this is a disease control program, not a hunt. Methods being used have been approved for the purpose of this disease control exercise.

This winter’s program was completed earlier in March, and focused on areas where six new cases of chronic wasting disease were identified from the hunting season last fall. Helicopters were used wherever possible to improve efficiency and allow better access in difficult terrain and heavy cover. Once the testing of the animals is completed, we plan to hold public open houses to share the results of this effort. Future plans will be developed based on an analysis of the extensive amount of data and information we have gathered specific to chronic wasting disease in Alberta, and on the advice of the wildlife disease experts.

Many people are not aware that about 70 percent of the meat has been salvaged and the rest was discarded because it was unfit for human consumption for various reasons. As in past years, large quantities of venison are being donated to food banks, local residents, First Nations and other sources, and the hides have gone to the Alberta Fish and Game Association to raise funds for habitat projects. Each deer is checked before being donated, following protocols developed to protect human health. I can also assure you that the disposal pit location has been approved and inspected by the Public Health Officer and is not considered to be a risk to the environment or public. We are following the same recommended procedure used by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on game farms where chronic wasting disease is identified.

I appreciate hearing your views and thank you for your interest in wildlife.

Ted Morton
Minister

Letter From a Concerned Metis Citizen

Following the lead of other's;

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to our President, the Honourable Audrey Poitras.

Madame President, I believe this nation, which you in a very large way have helped build from extremely difficult beginnings to something that could and should be historic, is in debt to you. Should the ‘Dissident Seven’ as they have so notoriously become known, feel they have the right or the power to overthrow our elected government through a petty campaign of cheating, lying, and deceit, they have another thing coming. This group of seven has obviously lost hold of the most important thing that has made us, the Métis Nation of Alberta as successful as we have been and that is cohesion. It becomes painfully obvious that they use their positions in the Métis Nation for their own personal mandate, and they are influencing others to believe in their lies. This can not be tolerated if we are to survive. I believe that most Métis understand it is not what you say about others, as they do, but it is your actions that show who you really are. Your actions have always been in the best interests of the Métis people as a whole. The actions of the ‘Dissident Seven’ have been to discredit members of this proud nation and bring this nation to her knees. If it can be proven that these seven members or any others have conspired, and cost our membership numerous dollars, which can translate to jobs, scholarships and help for the needy, then I believe we have to use whatever legal means necessary to remove them from office permanently.

Madame President, at no time in our history has it been more important for us to have someone of your stature and understanding guide the helm than now. I truly hope that you will continue to assume this role and step forward this fall for our next election, and never give up. And I hope that someone who you can trust finally steps forward to assume the role of Vice-President; the ‘Dissident Seven’ must be stopped now! With your leadership, the 21st century will be the century of the Métis.

Darcy Stach
Métis Nation of Alberta
Local #8, Medicine Hat

Conflict of Interest Case in the Hands of Provincial Judge

Métis Nation of Alberta Press Release

Edmonton, AB (March 20, 2008) – Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA), confirmed today that the court decision respecting the conflict of interest charges against Rick Boucher has yet to be rendered, contrary to some claims being circulated in the community.

“The matter is now before a Provincial Court Judge and it would be premature for anyone to predict how the judge will rule,” she said.

On December 18, 2007, the MNA Judiciary Council, the judicial arm of the MNA, found Boucher in conflict of interest for using a company he owned to sign an agreement with the Métis National Council regarding certain Health Canada funding, when, as a member of MNA Provincial Council, he had earlier voted in favour of a motion for the MNA to pursue a direct bilateral agreement with Health Canada for the same funding.

Boucher contested the Judiciary Council decision in Provincial Court and Justice Binder heard the case on March 14, 2008. The judge will issue his decision within the next three months. “There are many issues at stake in this court action,” President Poitras said. “Not least of which is the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Council.”

“Throughout this process, Mr. Boucher and his lawyers used every technicality argument they could possibly think of to undermine the powers and authority of the Judiciary Council and to escape prosecution.”

“During the course of the hearing on March 13th, they raised certain technical issues around the wording of the Conflict of Interest provisions of the MNA By-Laws, and Mr. Boucher now claims that our lawyer conceded that he was not in conflict of interest. This is a gross misrepresentation of the facts. We continue to maintain Mr. Boucher’s conduct amounts to a conflict of interest and was gravely detrimental to the interests of the MNA and this was made clear at the hearing.”

President Poitras hopes ultimately justice will be served and the authority of the MNA Judiciary Council will be upheld.

“The MNA must and will abide by the law,” she said. “And now we must all wait on how the judge will rule in this important case before any side can claim victory.”

For additional information contact:
Monique Devlin
MNA Communications
Ph: (780) 455-2200
#100 Delia Gray Building
11738 Kingsway
Edmonton, AB T5G0X5
Phone: (780) 455-2200
Fax: (780) 452 8946

NO VINDICATION

Despite a recent email sent out to everyone in Region 3 from Joe Chodzicki claiming'all parties agree Rick Boucher was not in a conflict of interest', NO RULING HAS BEEN GIVEN BY THE JUDGE; the court case has been held over to April for the lawyers to respond to some new case law that may have some bearing on the case. Check out Metis Bare Facts Blog for more information.

More News on the Cronic Waste Disease (CWD) Cull

More info on the Government's attempt at controlling CWD.

Please send your e-mail to Mr. Ted Morton voicing your concerns with this. Thanks.

STOP THE CARNAGE NOW!

The attached pictures (side bar) were taken February 28, 2008 on farmland 10 miles north of Provost Alberta.

Mandatory head submission of all hunter killed deer was implemented in 2007 by the Alberta Government to monitor the spread of C.W.D. (Chronic Wasting Disease). A positive case was found in a deer shot 10 miles north of the town of Provost. Due to this one positive case, the government has resumed the cull of deer herds around the Provost area. To date, of 5170 heads submitted throughout the province of Alberta in the 2007 hunting season, 7 have tested positive. This works out to 0.135% of all deer submitted throughout the hunting season.

The section of land where the deer was harvested in the Provost area has been deemed a “hot zone” and as such, the government plans to eliminate every single deer within a 10km radius around the initial site. In addition to the total elimination of deer within this zone, the Alberta government plans to reduce the deer population to 1 deer per square kilometer in the deer wintering zone. The deer wintering zone is a heavily wooded area stretching from the hamlet of Metiskow northeast to the village of Chauvin. This move will reduce the deer herd in W.M.U. 234 from an estimated 10 000 head down to 1600 animals.

The Process of the Cull:

A helicopter is used to locate, chase, kill, and then transport the deer back to the processing area. The pilot of the helicopter will hover over the bush until the deer taking cover within become nervous and run to a different area. Once the deer enter a clearing and the pilot has spotted the deer the chase begins. The pilot overcomes the deer and drops the helicopter to about 10’ off the ground at which point the gunner begins shooting. The gunner uses a semiautomatic .223, (smaller than the minimum legal gun for hunting purposes) to shoot the animals. Once a deer has been wounded the gunner switches to another and continues to shoot. (Wounded deer are not killed until all deer in the clearing have been shot). Once the shooting is finished, the transportation of carcasses begins. The helicopter will hover a foot or so off of the ground and the gunner will hop out and attach a cable around the deer’s head. Once the deer has been secured the gunner will hop back into the chopper to pick up the next deer. At no time during this process does the pilot land the chopper. On average 5 deer are attached to the chopper per trip and transported to the waiting trucks. Once the deer reach the trucks the processing of the meat is supposed to take place.

The processing of the meat involves the skinning of the animal (removal of the hide), gutting the deer, removal of the head for testing, and hanging the meat in storage until the results of the tests are back. Landowners and hunters around the area were led to believe that this process would be followed and that the meat would not be wasted.

A resident of the Chauvin area flew over one of the areas where a cull was being conducted and noticed the pit that you can see at the bottom of the email. When questioned about the pit, the response of the game wardens was that the pit contained animals that could not be processed fast enough and animals that were shot in a manner that was deemed unsafe for human consumption. Deer were deemed unsafe for human consumption by the wardens when the deer were shot multiple times or when the deer were shot in the guts. The wardens were also of the impression that any animal that was not processed within a 4 hour time frame from the time of death was also unfit for human consumption. Animals that were thought to show signs of sickness were also placed into the pit.

The rifle season around the Provost area occurs throughout the month of November with some extension based on the type of tag issued. Hunters that were issued C.W.D. tags had until the 20^th of December whereas landowners had until the 15^th of January to fill tags. Deer that are harvested in this time will appear healthier than deer harvested later in the year due to the fact that the deer have not had to struggle through the winter months. The winter experienced around the Provost area was harsher than previous years due to a heavy snowfall early in the year and a weeklong cold snap of -40 weather occurring in mid February which would result in the apparent “sickness” of many of the animals. A rifle season throughout November also allows hunters the opportunity to harvest doe (female deer) before the breeding season is in full swing. Once a doe has been bred the resulting strain of carrying a fawn will also contribute to the appearance of the animal.

As a hunter I know the difficulties with placing a “clean” hit on a running animal. When you are shooting deer on the run from a moving chopper the odds of hitting the deer’s vital area (heart or lungs) decrease immensely and as a result more animals are gut shot or shot in areas that will ruin meat and require additional shots to end the suffering of the animal. As a hunter I also know the length of time it takes to properly field dress an animal, remove the meat for consumption, and the penalties for wasting the meat. Hunters that are found shooting game and allowing the meat to purposely spoil may loose their hunting privileges for a period of time or face criminal charges depending on the severity of the incident (hunters are also responsible for the cleaning of their game should they accidentally gut-shoot the animal).

After following the helicopter around and witnessing the amount of deer harvested on the 28, there is no possible way that the deer could be processed in the 4 hour time period allowed by the government leading to the disposal of mass quantities of meat that any hunter would face charges for. The placement and subsequent burial of deer in pits also constitutes a great offence (farmers who bury dead cattle can face up to 10 years in prison) as one of the theories surrounding C.W.D. is that the disease originated with and is present in the soil. The placement of deer carcasses into pits simply results in the retention of the disease should one of those deer be a carrier of C.W.D. Mass burial sites like the one pictured may also result in the leaching of harmful substances into ground water sources contaminating the water supply for many areas around the site. This issue is especially important when considering the proximity of the pit in relation to a provincial park. The pit is located 1 mile north of Dilberry Lake, a provincial park where many families from the Provost and surrounding area take their kids for the summer. In addition, the soil composition of the area is sandy which will greatly contribute to the leaching of blood and bodily fluids considering the quantity of the deer present in the pits.

Saskatchewan and many states within the U.S.A. have tried to stop the spread of C.W.D. in the same manner that the Alberta government is currently undertaking. After many attempts these areas realized that this disease could not be stopped in this manner and have since sought alternate methods for control.

As set out in the 2007 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations that all hunters must follow:

GENERAL:

It is unlawful to:

2. harass, injure, or kill any wildlife with a vehicle, aircraft, or boat.

3. hunt any wildlife with or from an aircraft, or communicate, for the purpose of hunting, the signs or whereabouts of wildlife seen during a flight on an aircraft.

6. allow the edible meat of any game bird or big game animal, except cougar or bear, to be wasted, destroyed, spoiled, or abandoned.

7. have a loaded firearm (live ammunition in breech, chamber, or magazine) in or on, or discharge a weapon from

-a boat unless the boat is propelled by muscular power or is at anchor and the person is hunting, or

-any kind of aircraft or vehicle whether it is moving or stationary.

BIG GAME:

It is unlawful to

1. set out, use, or employ any of the following items for the purpose of hunting big game:

-ammunition of less than .23 caliber,

-an auto-loading firearm that has the capacity to hold more than 5 cartridges in the magazine,

-bait, except as permitted for the hunting of black bears

13. hunt big game within 6 hours of having disembarked from an aircraft, except for a jet or turbo-propelled aircraft.

If a hunter breaks any of the above regulations they may be persecuted to the maximum extent of the law, yet the Alberta Fish and Wildlife division is breaking all of these regulations on a daily basis during the process of the cull.

Recently positive cases of C.W.D. have been found in various areas along the W.M.U. zones bordering the province of Saskatchewan with a case as far north as Clandonald (North of Vermillion). There is talk of extending the area of the cull from W.M.U. 234 to W.M.U. 200 starting after the next hunting season. Unfortunately it is too late to save the quality of hunting that many hunters have enjoyed for countless years through W.M.U. 234, but other areas may yet be saved. I ask that you please forward this email to the contacts in your list so that the awareness of the atrocities being performed by the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Department will grow. Even if you are not a hunter, or do not know any hunters keep the email in circulation. With enough support on this issue we can stop the needless slaughter of countless deer in other areas surrounding the Saskatchewan border.

To voice your concern over the deer cull occurring in W.M.U. 234 simply call 310-0000 and ask to be transferred to Ted Morton’s office. Ted Morton can also be reached by email at foothills.rockyview@assembly.ab.ca.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter,

Duane Morrell,

Provost and District Fish and Game

Alta. Crown drops hunting charge against Sask. Metis man

By Betty Ann Adam, TheStarPhoenix.com

Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

A Metis lawyer is claiming victory for traditional land users after the Alberta government today withdrew a charge against a Saskatchewan Metis man for hunting in a closed season.

Alfred Janvier, 68, shot a moose in March 2005 while on his way to visit his sister-in-law in Chard, Alberta. He was traveling on the winter road from La Loche. A conservation officer patrolling the area laid the charge. La Loche is 618 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

The Crown presented its case in Fort McMurray court in January 2007. The defence was scheduled to present its case, claiming Constitutional rights, in May 2008, said lawyer Clem Chartier.

The Metis argued their traditional right to harvest game for food extends throughout their traditional hunting areas, regardless of provincial boundaries that were later created by governments.

Chartier intended to provide evidence of kinship ties between the Metis of northwest Saskatchewan and northeast Alberta and about their historical and contemporary interactions and harvesting practices, he said in an interview.

The defence also intended to bring expert witnesses to support it case, Chartier said.

He called the withdrawal of charges, "a significant victory," for Metis.

"This decision not to proceed confirms our long stated assertions that the artificially created provincial boundaries do not cut off or contain our harvesting rights over our traditional harvesting territories, which do, in fact, cross provincial boundaries," Chartier said. "The mere fact that the Crown has dropped this case is confirmation of what we have always said. We, as one of the aboriginal peoples of this region have aboriginal harvesting rights in this, our traditional territory, which are protected by Canada's Constitution," said Bill Loutitt, president of the Fort McMurray Metis local 1935 in a news release.

badam@sp.canwest.com

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

Excellent News!

WHAT’S HAPPENING in the Métis Nation of Alberta Update

Alberta is hosting another Town Hall Meeting in Edmonton on Saturday, March 8, 2008.
The meeting is from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre at 11205 – 101 Street, Edmonton, Alberta. All Métis are welcome to attend. All the elected Métis leaders invited to attend. Ron Jones, Métis Captain of the Hunt will moderate the meeting. This is paid for by Métis community members. There will be a pot luck lunch that day. The Métis community is responding for the need to ask questions, to be provided with information and to have an understanding of the issues facing the Métis in Alberta.

I attended this meeting on Saturday; lots of good discussions on what others have been doing in the province in dealing with our current political situation. From the tone of the meeting, you can expect further communities to invoke their right to recall. People are sick and tired of our elected officials that are hell bent on tearing our nation apart with their lies, propaganda and outright sabotage tactics.

Mme. President Audrey Poitras did the right thing; she saw a conflict of interest and pursued the avenue open to the Métis people as our elected leader, she brought this issue to our Judicial Council. She had our support then, she has our support now!

It was also reported at the meeting that the provincial government would be working on a Harvesting Agreement with the Metis Nation. We will be waiting to hear who the new SRD Minister will be. With any luck, it will not be Ted Morton, who caused such controversy while in this position.

Official notice for the upcoming Métis Nation of Alberta Special Meeting

When: 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2008

Where: Ramada Inn: 11834 Kingsway (119th Street & Kingsway Avenue),

Edmonton, AB

For more information, and to download all pertinent documents, including the Official Notice, Resolution, Draft Bylaws and Constitution go to www.albertametis.com.

This is a very important meeting for all card carrying members of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Major changes to our political structure are on the agenda. Be informed, read the documentation and come out and exercise your right to vote.

Regional Events

10^th Annual Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards

Friday, April 18, 2008

Please join us for an evening of honouring our

Métis Business Leaders

Keynote Speaker: Jean Teillet, partner of Pape, Salter and Teillet – Vancouver, Legal Counsel in the ground-breaking Powley case

Singer: Dorothy Walker

Entertainment: DeRic Starlight

Awards: Entrepreneurial Leadership – Men, Women, Youth; Business Recognition; Career Development; Industry; and Community Development

Coast Plaza Hotel

1316 – 33^rd St. NE, Calgary, AB

Reception: 5:30

Dinner: 6:30

Tickets: $800 for a Table of 8 or $100 per person

MC: Andy Popko, Vice-President, Aboriginal Relations, Encana Corporation

For Tickets and Event Sponsorship, Please contact Region 3 office at 403-569-8800, email: mlanz@metis.org

This is a semi-formal/business event, dress code strictly enforced; Beaded jackets or vest with shirt, tie and dress pants, or ribbon shirts acceptable; no jeans.

Métis Nation Local ‘8’ and Miywasin Centre presents:

SPRING FLING

Potluck & Social

March 15, 2008

4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Heritage Pavilion in Strathcona Island Park

Medicine Hat, AB

Contests: prizes awarded for Jigging, Laughing, Moose Calling, and Storytelling

Entertainment: Fiddle Players Ed Schwaggert and Sharon Hogg; and Darlene Peters on piano

For more information: call Pat or Emilie at 403-526-0756

Everyone Welcome!

Dilberry Lake Deer Pit

Calling on the Provincial Government to Stop the Carnage! This email was sent to my attention today. I caution those that are squeamish, on the side bar are very graphic pictures of the carnage that is taking place in our province.

Letter from our Harvest Committee Chair to the Provincial Government of Alberta

As a proud resident of Alberta, and a long time outdoorsman I am disgusted, sickened, dismayed and angered by these pictures, and I demand a proper explanation for this and a public apology to all of the people of this once proud province, for this atrocity. I know many who have worked hard and spent countless hours working to preserve wildlife, including myself, and this is done under the guise of wildlife management? If an individual had done this they would go to jail for a very long time, yet the government feels they have the need and right to do so! I can only hope this did not occur and someone in their sick little mind is using these photos to discredit the government within days of a landslide victory at the election polls.

Had this made the Calgary Herald, or the Globe and Mail a week ago, I am sure the PC's would have paid the price during the election - this is only rivaled by the new 'Public Places Policy', another winner being pushed through by your cabinet. There should be no further desecration of our wildlife, or our public places, or our heritage for any reason and there is NO excuse for this. You are a representative of the people of this province, it is not your place to treat it like a dumping ground, it is OUR province and you have been elected to represent us in good faith. CWD was caused by the legalization of game farming, promoted and made legal by the government of this province in its bid to put more money in the pockets of the already rich.

You continue to support this fallacy. We fought that battle and lost, now you see the results - CWD, and with that comes the need for a slaughter never since seen since the slaughter of the great buffalo herds. Any further harvesting conducted by the Government must be witnessed by a third party, as it is obvious we can not trust it to you alone. "Shoot, shovel and shut up" was the statement made by your predecessor, but you got caught! ALL usable meat must be salvaged, a four hour time frame to salvage is a poor excuse, how many people has the province prosecuted due to allowing the spoilage of wild game meat, and yet our officials believe they can do it, 'lead by example'. As Shawn has stated below, conduct the harvest properly and all can be salvaged, there are many hungry people in the province. How many mouths could you have fed?

I recognize this order likely did not come from the top and you may not have even known about what was actually occurring in the field (a poor excuse), and it was likely very difficult for the SRD officers in the field, as I am sure they all chose their careers because of their love of all things wild, definitely not for the money, but someone must pay as justice must be served at all levels of government, and I want to know who and how, as this is my right. We, the people, representing our publicly held and currently publicly owned wildlife, ' the Queen's Deer' have the right to know. You serve us!

Darcy
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Darcy - Just to let you know what is going on up north in CWD zone.

Subject: Dilberry Lake Deer Pit

Here are some pictures that I took today of the deer pit north of Dilberry Lake where the Alberta government is tossing deer carcasses from their deer cull. I was there less than a week ago and all of the deer that were in the pit were covered up with dirt. I have also attached a picture of what the pit looked like last Wednesday. This is how many deer the fish cops have piled in there since then. Notice all of the deer that are not processed with only there heads taken off. The government announced that all of the meat was going to be donated to food banks and less fortunate people. The game wardens claim that they only have a four hour window to process these deer from the time they are shot, otherwise they end up in the pit as whole. If this is the case maybe they should slow down the daily slaughter. Or better yet, stop all together.

Shawn

Perhaps the Provincial watchdogs should also look into a certain provincial rep spotting for Big Horn Sheep in the foothills of Pincher Creek with a helicopter and bagging a trophy. Is this not a violation of our hunting laws? And I hope this was not at the taxpayers’ expense.

Forensic Audits...Future of MNC?

While I was at the Métis National Council Assembly in Ottawa last month, they talked about the audits that were conducted by Bernie Shore and how the government came along after and did their audits on contracts, and it generally ended up that the government questioned expenditures and requested money be paid back. Apparently, the government was requesting upwards of over $600,000 back on 2006-07? David Chartrand had explained that this was general practise that this so-called debt was carried over to the next fiscal year, and was generally written off by the government or a portion could possibly be deducted from the next fiscal years’ payment. General practise…hmmm…I think this time it’s about to hit the fan.

With all of the controversy here in Alberta, with the Region 1 – Metco Ventures Conflict of Interest, questionable expenditures, the call for removing Provincial Council Members, etc. I think the government has to take a very strong stance on this issue of public funds and their perceived/actual misuse. People are demanding answers…we want accountability…don’t let us down.

I still believe we need a strong voice in Ottawa; we need to ensure that the Métis Needs are kept on the agenda…but is that voice the MNC? Time will tell. Do we even have enough faith in this organization to keep it viable? Will our Provincial Métis leaders be able to work together under Clem Chartiers' leadership? Or will they, like British Columbia, all take a leave of absence? Do we wipe the slate clean and start again...take a look at what was beneficial about this organization and review all of its flaws, and work towards a new entity with fair representation from across the homeland, that gives the grassroots a voice and a vote. If the MNC is to survive at all after this fiasco, it needs to change.

Open Letter to Frank Godon

I found your comments to be deeply disturbing in regards to Métis Bare Facts’ - Land Claims Case – Where will this go? editorial. You advocate for assimilation and to turn our backs on our past history, but I strongly disagree.

We are the result of failed assimilation, first by the French, then the English. Their contention, was that the Aboriginal populations of the 17th Century would successfully absorb into their dominant cultures, but what happened was reverse assimilation, as to what emerged were the coureurs de bois from New France , similarly, the half-breeds of British and Indian mix. As they blended and mixed in the Red River, there emerged “a population with its own language, Michif (though many dialects), a distinctive mode of dress, cuisine, vehicles of transport, modes of celebration in music and dance, and a completely democratic though quasi-military political organization, complete with national flag, bardic tradition and vibrant folklore of national history”[1].

We to this day still suffer the effects of racism, we are still marginalized, we still have unsettled land issues that my ancestors fought and died for at Batoche, and we continue to suffer the residual effects of the residential school system. Not everyone is a millionaire and can thumb their noses at the masses.

The governments, both past and present have failed us. The White Paper failed, as did the Charlottetown Accord. But what came from the ashes was the fact that our Canadian governments accepted that the right of Aboriginal self-government is an inherent righ