Métis Nation-Saskatchewan withdraws from national organization

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The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) says it is withdrawing from the Métis National Council “effective immediately.”

In a statement issued Tin September 2024, MN-S President Glen McCallum said a resolution was presented at a regular meeting and passed.

“This was not a decision our government made lightly but one we felt necessary,” McCallum said in the statement. “Our MN–S government and our Métis communities need to have control over our identity and culture while making decisions that align with the values of our Saskatchewan Métis Nation.”

In a resolution passed in September 2024, the MN-S said the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), which is a member of the national body, accepts and continues to represent people who are not Métis.

It also says the MNC has failed to ensure the integrity of the Ontario group’s citizenship registry and not rectified it, despite constant calls to do so.

MNC, in response to a request for comment from APTN News, said it respected the decision of MN-S to withdraw from the organization.

‘‘The Métis Nation has the right to self-determination, and with that so does each Métis government,” MNC said. “We learned today that the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN-S) has decided to remove itself from the Métis National Council to refocus its priorities solely on the pursuit of self-government and treaty for Saskatchewan Métis citizens.

“Since 1983, the MNC has been the national and international voice for the Métis Nation, receiving its mandate and direction from the MNC Governing Members. With these recent developments, President Caron will be meeting with MNC’s Governing Members to discuss next steps. We will share more information as it arises. We look forward to future collaboration with Métis Governments across the Homeland.”

“After talking to Métis citizens over the last several months about Kishchi Mashinaayikun Ooshchi Michif – the Sacred Document from the Michif treaty process – MN–S has refocused its priorities and determined it is in the strongest position to independently advocate for Métis citizens in Saskatchewan with all other governments,” said the statement.

MN-S said it decided that “participation in the MNC is no longer necessary or beneficial to the work of our nation.”

The statement said MN-S is “committed to working alongside other legitimate Métis governments representing those with section 35 rights, across the Homeland independent of the MNC structure.”

“This is a great day for our Métis Nation within Saskatchewan and a great day for Métis across the Homeland,” added Lisa McCallum, MN–S provincial secretary, in the statement. “We know who we are as Métis people.

“Our government has made significant strides in our own treaty process with Canada and will carry on with the work that benefits Saskatchewan Métis citizens and their families.”

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