YELLOWHEAD BRIEF #127 | FEBRUARY 9, 2023 - Constitutional Crisis at the Métis Nation of Alberta

Untitled YELLOWHEAD BRIEF #127 | FEBRUARY 9, 2023 Constitutional Crisis at the Métis Nation of Alberta by Wes Simpson-Denig What the heck is going on with our constitution? Who Speaks for Métis in Alberta? In December of last year, the Métis Nation of Alberta The central focus of the new MNA constitution is a (MNA) voted to adopt an “Otipemisiwak Métis proposal for the “streamlining” of the federa. [...] by which this constitution was ratified, and the potential In the case of the MNA, it was made official with the ramifications, especially as they pertain to the rights of MNA-Canada Métis Government Recognition and Self- settlements and other historic communities, lead me to ask Government Agreement (MGRSA) in 2019. [...] The explicit premise underlying the “Vote of us.3 Yes” campaign material was “either you will vote yes to strengthen our nation, or you will vote no and weaken Reflecting on the emergence of the organization in late it.” This ratification vote felt less like a referendum and 1920s, the MNA (then known as the Métis Association of more like a federal or provincial election, with the MNA Alberta) was. [...] In the lead-up to the vote, there were lawsuits economic resources, and historical communities making by Métis settlements and regional bodies, public disputes in up the “nomadic” population.4 As time has progressed and the media, and potential membership attrition from splinter the profile of Metis in the provincial public consciousness organizations such as the Alberta Métis Federation (which ha. [...] Referring to to sue you to get you to cooperate? I am as much in favour Justice Feehan’s quote in the aforementioned statement of Métis self-governance as the next Métis person, but I of claim brought against the MNA by a group of Métis don’t want consultation rights at the expense of others.