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Metis Nation weaker

Bill C-31 status metis form their own federation

Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 18/00) - The Metis Nation may be hanging on by only a thread after a significant split from the organization.

Metis living along the Mackenzie River announced Dec. 11 they have left the Metis Nation to form the Northwest Metis Federation.

"I don't think it has anything to do with leadership but whoever is in there is stepping into a hornet's nest," said the new federation's president Charles Furlong.

"The administration is under question because it can not function."

George Morin, former president of the Metis Nation resigned on Nov. 24, citing unfavourable working conditions. In his place is now Bill Enge.

Furlong said the split stems directly from a motion passed in Fort Simpson in September 1999, that disallowed Bill C-31 status Metis from being heard within the Metis Nation. The Northwest Metis Federation consists of individuals with Bill C-31 status.

The status gives first generation Metis the same rights as their band of origin, Furlong said, but the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories only recognized second-generation Metis.

"The people that could not achieve Bill C-31 status did not want the people that achieved it to participate in the Metis Nation," Furlong said. By not being allowed to vote at the Metis Nation's General Assembly, the interests of those living along the Mackenzie Valley were being ignored.

He said Metis land claim talks, such as ongoing negotiations in the South Slave among Metis, is something the new federation wants to copy.

"The question of whether or not there is a need for centralization is always there," Furlong said.

But Enge said Furlong's intentions cannot mimic land claim initiatives because of the Bill C-31 status.

"The Metis land claimants in the South Slave do not have that status," he said. "The Metis who took on Bill C-31 status have now secured Indian status."

The fact that the Metis Nation has been experiencing financial trouble is a surprise to no one and Enge holds those with Bill C-31 status responsible.

He said they boycotted board meetings and prevented them from voting on a treasurer earlier this year.

"Gorge Morin could not sign cheques that needed a dual signature," he said. "They crippled the Metis Nation from paying its bills."

Enge said the signature problem was alleviated in August. Morin resigned on Nov. 24 and since then Enge said he has "taken over the helm and my first action was to make sure we secure our financial funding and make sure our bills get paid."

Added to the Metis Nation's problem of balancing the books is division among its members.

Enge said it is a right within the organization's constitution for groups to regionalize under a constitutional process.

The North Slave Metis Alliance and the South Slave Metis Tribal Council are examples that make up 80 per cent of the NWT Metis population.

"The role of the Metis Nation is to represent Metis people on the national scene, to bring information and programs and services," Enge said.

"It also has a facilitation role to play, to assist various locals."

Enge said that across the country there are no Bill C-31 status people recognized under the Metis National Council.

"Only in the NWT is this a problem," Enge said.

"I find it rather ironic that (Furlong) is organizing a Metis organization considering the fact that he is chief of the Aklavik Indian Band."

Although Enge and the Metis Nation are accusing the Northwest Metis Federation of double-dipping, the federation intends to take control over its own affairs such as the Metis Health Benefits program and a role in the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.

It was also agreed at the federation's inaugural meeting, Dec. 7 and 8 in Yellowknife, that the Metis Nation should be dissolved by March 31.

"A lot of us have just gone on with business of our own," Furlong said. "(The Metis Nation) is being allowed to die."