Metis Nation president throws in the towel
Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 01/00) - George Morin has officially resigned as president of the Metis Nation.
On leave since Oct. 16, Morin submitted his letter of resignation to the Metis Nation executive Nov. 24. He cited unfavourable working conditions and a lack of financial compensation as reasons.
"I strongly believe in the staff and creditors being paid in a timely fashion; this has not happened.
"Indeed, I personally have had to wait for my own financial compensation, often to the detriment of my family, who are my first priority.
"I cannot allow this to continue, nor can I work with a board who does not share my vision of a viable and healthy organization. Often quorum could not be reached, funds were frozen and staff and creditors were not paid, yet board members were paid their honoraria," Morin wrote.
Ernest Firth has been acting president of the Metis Nation since Morin went on leave. Firth is unable to take on the duties of president, however, as he is battling cancer. He appointed Bill Enge to take his place.
Enge said he was not surprised at Morin's resignation, but very disappointed. Enge said the tone of his resignation letter was unnecessary and a cause of concern.
"I think it's common knowledge that the Metis Nation Northwest Territories has experienced a great deal of strife and there were problems accessing the bank account and I think we made that public knowledge," he said.
Enge said he was perplexed by Morin's comments about honoraria being paid to board members before employees received their salaries.
"He was the president and he had signing authority and he participated in decisions as to what moneys to pay."
Enge said he was under the impression that Morin felt he didn't have a choice at times, but said "to comply with pressure that was exerted on him to pay bills that he didn't think he should pay, that I think is where his comments are questionable.
"He's in charge and he's supposed to decide how to handle the financial affairs of the organization."
Clem Paul, president of the North Slave Metis Alliance and the Yellowknife Metis Council, said he is not at all surprised at Morin's resignation. Paul spoke with him a few weeks ago and Morin informed him about his plans to throw in the towel.
"I don't blame him ... the in-fighting at the Metis Nation has been going on for so long, it's been behind closed doors for so many years and that's why (the Yellowknife Metis Council) left the Metis Nation ten years ago, because we didn't want to fight."
"There has always been that fraction there that liked to fight and liked mischief and chaos and calamity -- they thrive on that.
"George really didn't expect to be battling this hard and I think he wasn't prepared for that ... it just overwhelmed him a set him back to such a state that I know he became very depressed over it.
"I don't blame him one bit for leaving and I'm not one bit surprised," said Paul.
He said differences between Metis Nation members has to be settled promptly or the organization is not going to survive.
Enge is currently planning a workshop for all Metis Nation members in January to do just that.
Morin said that he will be providing claims for reimbursement on outstanding expenses to the Metis Nation. The claims will also cover time in lieu of payment, annual leave, regular salary.
