Statement – For Immediate Release
SURREY, BC – Métis Nation British Columbia leadership strongly condemns ill-informed comments made yesterday by Assembly of First Nations’ National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak about Métis identity and our place in Canada. Our rights are clearly defined in section 35 of the Canadian Constitution as one of the three Indigenous Peoples of Canada along with the First Nations and Inuit. We are not, as the National Chief describes us as “pretendians” but are a rights bearing people who will not be defined by other Indigenous groups. We know who we are and where we come from.
As leaders of the Métis Nation in British Columbia, we call on the National Chief to retract her harmful comments and to engage in dialogue with Métis leadership to encourage mutual respect and understanding. We have a shared story with First Nations and Inuit peoples, together we have suffered greatly. Let us not demean each other but rather hold each other up and hold Canada to account to make life better for all our peoples. To do otherwise would only serve to continue the harmful legacy of colonialism across our homeland. We are always stronger when we support each other.
President Anthony Wingham on behalf of Métis leadership
Métis Nation British Columbia
For more information, please contact media@mnbc.ca.
About Métis Nation British Columbia
Métis Nation British Columbia represents the section 35 rights of approximately 34,000 Métis Citizens who are registered with MNBC and advocates for the over 113,000 self-identified Métis in British Columbia. MNBC represents 38 Métis Chartered Communities in British Columbia. MNBC’s mandate is to develop and enhance opportunities for Métis communities by implementing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services. MNBC is recognized by the Government of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada. MNBC is the government for Métis in B.C.