(Vancouver, BC) The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) held their recent Annual General Meeting in Abbotsford, BC this past weekend. The British Columbia Métis Federation (BCMF) board accepted and promoted a policy to not attend the MNBC AGM and many of the BCMF members chose not to attend. BCMF has had a number of reports and interesting discussions as follow up from statements and developments during the recent MNBC AGM.
BCMF President Keith Henry stated; “The MNBC AGM was a failure exhibited by the leaders who attended for the Métis people they purport to represent. MNBC leadership and their supporters boasted about their ability to ensure the Provincial and the Federal Governments continued to support MNBC. MNBC has reported there were about 300 delegates in attendance and by all accounts to BCMF this number seems grossly exaggerated. The speech provided by MNBC President Dumont which is now posted on the MNBC website is filled with ridicule and spite and this style of immature leadership has been the reason MNBC has been placed in the worst debt in the history of any Métis organization in the country.”
BCMF President Henry added; “I was sent a number of emails from delegates who was shocked at the reactions by from MNBC and their supporters when opposing views and questions were raised during the deliberations. Here is an excerpt from a community leader who could not believe how unhealthy MNBC had truly become:
As you know Keith I attended the AGM and once again was amazed at the attitude of some of my brothers and sisters, telling some of the speakers to sit down and shut up and applauding the fact the mike was shut off. I will be holding our weekly meeting as soon as possible and will be telling my board I cannot support this type of behavior any longer. The rats are jumping the sinking ship is a phrase that comes to mind when I hear of the people who no longer will be at the next AGM. If my local does not support decision so be it. I will still be a Métis who is proud of who I am and always will be. I always believed we lived in a free country and should not be afraid to speak our minds. NO ONE has the right to say you are no longer a Métis and our (my) ancestors died for that reason.
-Community leader
BCMF President Henry further added; “To make matters worse MNBC puts a special resolution forward to enable the MNBC board to have unlimited authority to borrow money. Remember MNBC posted the resolutions that had gone through due process of MNBC governance on the MNBC website prior to the AGM. This special resolution was never posted and was not discussed at their previous MNGA. All of a sudden a new special resolution that was not posted on the MNBC website nor was MNBC members provided an advance notice was brought forward by the MNBC board. The MNBC AGM delegates in attendance blindly approved and have further enabled the board to borrow more money to enable MNBC to pay the outstanding taxes and consolidate the loans. This will not solve the MNBC financial situation in any meaningful manner as MNBC already had a great debt financing rate. Therefore MNBC will try to consolidate loans they cannot afford already but are just delaying the real issues of financial sustainability. Furthermore the lack of good governance being supported when we see these situations is incredible. Ironically MNBC should have followed this process before they bought the school and borrowed $3 million in 2009 so why the sudden change of tactics?”
BCMF President Keith Henry concluded; “Despite the immature rhetoric of MNBC and their supporters I can assure Métis people in BC that the BCMF will carry on because the people want us to. We do not wait for governments to validate our existence. We began as volunteers who understand the real support for our culture and communities is paramount to our future. We continue to process membership and communities continue to ask for our assistance. We have continued to submit proposals for community capacity and people will see our legitimate efforts in the near future when communities BCMF works with showcase their benefits. By contrast MNBC demonstrates time and time again that all they want you to do is support their agenda. They use community numbers to squeeze governments and industry for money that never reaches the communities. They buy votes by paying delegates to attend MNBC meetings. MNBC limits information and I question whether or not the MNBC AGM chairperson read the letters from Quesnel and Vancouver who made it clear they wanted their letters read so AGM delegates better understood their decision? ”
Important notice that the BCMF hosted Coffee Talk will air this week at a special time on Friday, September 30th at 7:30 PM. This week the show will discuss the recent MNBC AGM and get your reactions. Call in to discuss your views 1-778-388-5013.
Media Inquiries:
Keith Henry
President
BC Métis Federation
#300-3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
Office 1-604-638-7220
Cell 1-778-388-5013
Email k.henry@bcmetis.com
Downloads:
Click here to download this press release in PDF format.
I would like to thank President Keith Henry of the British Columbia Metis Federation for providing an accurate synopsis of the 2011 Metis Nation of BC Annual General Meeting. From all accounts it was a complete failure. Once again MNBC leadership resorted to tactics based on deception, rhetoric, and trickery.
To attempt to portray this meeting as a consultation with the Metis citizens of BC is a sham, charade and con job. The information provided by a MNBC delegate who is also a credible community leader certainly supports these observations. MNBC leadership continues to deceive Metis citizens by not coming clean on the real issues facing our Nation. These issues have not been resolved nor does the MNBC have the capacity to deal effectively with the issues. It is a well known fact that the organization is dying a slow, deliberate and premedidated death.
The complete failure of the 2011 MNBC Annual General meeting to deal with issues important to the communities is shameful. The failure of the Annual General Meeting only validates the existence of the British Columbia Metis Federation, its community based agenda, unquestionable transparency and openness, and an organization that truly is evolving towards “community control” by the citizens of the Metis Nation.
We can all rest assured that the MNBC leadership and their group of “season ticket holders” (paid delegates) will continue to flounder and falter every step of the way. The 2011 Metis Nation of BC was nothing more than an excercise in futility and vainness.
At the end of the day, what was really accomplished at this AGM? Absolutely nothing!! Why would delegates waste their time in witnessing an “excercise in ineffectiveness and futility” in NOT dealing with the issues that are important to our citizens.?
We should all thank our lucky stars that the British Columbia Metis Federation is a credible organization that serves the citizens and the communities. MNBC claims that they represent the citizens and the communities are grossly exagerated, inaccurate, and untruthful.
The BCMF will continue to validate, authenticate, and confirm that we in fact do represent community empowerment and community based accountability.
Bruce Dumont’s AGM speech: In addition, we have received similar assurances from the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs the Honourable John Duncan. This endorsement is extremely important because of the pressures being felt from outside individuals who remain determined to divide the Métis Nation. I am happy to tell you that the efforts by these individuals have fallen on deaf ears and the Métis Nation British Columbia is the voice of the people that is being heard loud and clear!
A comment
Good Grief, taking Metis citizens to court to intimidate is uniting the Nation..? I seen the photos of approximately 130 people in attendance of course sponsored delegates or people that live close. A federal senator supports this intimidation of our nations citizens? What hooey!
Bruce Dumont and Dave Hodgson announce that they will not be running again, is no surprise as rats leave the ship due to debt. Buying the school was one of the worst decisions that only benefit southern students and a scattering of first nations from the klahowya village. Who in their right mind would want to run for president and vice president in 2012 and risk any of their personal assets signing on the dotted bank line for debt security, and work for nothing as the recent board resolution has wiped out all board salaries. The finance staff see the writing on the wall, leaving for other opportunities.
Do you honestly think any bank will grant a new mortgage, or the royal bank of canada will not recall their loan and recover their money by resale. Next year is the third year that the school will be sold for taxes owed, and borrowing more funds will only be harder to repay. Banks want to see the hard numbers in equity and ability to repay, they cannot even pay the taxes for the last two years how is the MNBC going to borrow more funds when they are in breach of mortgage terms by not paying taxes. Status quo on the part of the federal and provincial government supporting a sinking ship.
The Metis Nation is going down in 2012.
Good day BC Metis,
Question to the President of BCMF: We need third party management, when the Metis Nation BC, I believe it was the Metis Provincial council then was in third party management in 2006 before you arrived Keith what was the criteria that put the MPCBC in third party management status? Why hasn’t the federal government stepped in now? Is the situation different?
Looking at the financial statements it is evident that legal and consulting fees are over the top and spread all over different programs.
Good afternoon Metis AGM in 2011,
I will try my best to answer your question and comments.
The MPCBC was in third party management triggered in 1999-2000 and this was forced by Service Canada to ensure the delivery of the employment and training dollars would stay for the Metis clients in BC. I began with the MPCBC (known today as the MNBC) on August 5th, 2003. The MPCBC was still technically in third party management although there was progress during the previous third party management period.
I met with Service Canada representatives around October of 2003 and within a few months submitted a letter requesting the removal of all third party management. Service Canada agreed and this marked an end to that unfortunate situation. Funny though various MPCBC leaders had annouced previously though that MPCBC was officially out of third party management. This was not accurate.
The criteria for Service Canada’s third party management was forced because MPCBC was not spending the contract that gave employment and training resources on the intended purposes. It was that simple.
Today I see this the exact same situation but I believe it is far worse. Remember at that time MPCBC was $580,000 in ineligible expenditures after a thorough financial review triggered by Service Canada. That was really only the main source of funding at that time. Today MPCBC delivers a variety of contracts and the issues are likely far worse given the absolute lack of public accountability displayed by MNBC. BCMF has been calling for a full financial review that is coordinated by the various funding partners to ensure the contracts are being spent as per their purposes. There is strong evidence to suggest this is not the case and I wonder how much longer this situation will go.
My belief about the governments lack of interest to step in is for two main reasons:
1. The MNBC has key political friends (Federally though Senator Gerry St. Germain and Provincially through Mike de Jong) who appear to support MNBC at all costs. Worse yet the Federal officials from departments have been reluctant to act because we know they think the BCMF is nothing more than politics. This despite the obvious financial realities clearly outlined in the MPCBC 2010-2011 Financial Statements.
2. MNBC has been moving finances around in their various lines of credit and it is quite likely billing could be shared between contributions from various departments. This gives the impression that funding is being spent accordingly but we strongly question the accuracy of such beliefs. Therefore only a full audit of all MPCBC contribution agreements between all Federal and Provincial Govenrment partners will give a true account.
I hope this assists.
Thank you, you did answer my questions, there are not too many people that are aware that the MPCBC was in trouble before by reallocating funds towards ineligiable expenditures. By the financial statements it is apparent that the shuffling of funds are still continuing and many of us Metis are not skilled at reading financial statements.
The resolution that was presented was a surprise for us, as it was not in the resolution package. We were outvoted at the AGM by fellow supporters who were paid to attend. Many of the people voting were staff who have a good reason to vote in favour of the resolution, meaning continued employment.
Good coffeetalk show, when is the BCMF going to have regional meetings again so we can sign up as members.
I agree with you MNBC 2011 funds coming from the federal programs are meant for a specific purpose, not to pay down debt. Unless there is some miraculous revenue generation to the tune of 5.8 million plus the new borrowing powers they were granted by approximately 80 delegates out of 120 in estimate attendance. Think of the numbers out of 6600 card holders that could not attend, around 80 staff are the decision makers putting us into further debt.
Debt consolidation is the financial plan of the MNBC, which is a tell tale sign of mismanagement. Specifically the MPCBC is a non-profit corporation and must maintain a balanced year end statement. No profit can be derived from its operations as it is an administrator of program dollars. The profit entity(s) that the MNBC/MPCBC has boasted of as its savour, is early in its existence and as a long time business owner in most cases a realization of profit is seen usually in the 5th year of operation.
When people or corporations consolidate their debt there is one big mistake that many make: continuing to use the new credit that was freed up with the consolidation. This is a recipe for disaster and should be avoided at all costs. What happens is that the borrower has a hard time breaking habits. If they are consolidating debt there must be a reason there is debt to begin with. So when this consolidation now frees up more available credit these habits can creep back in and make the debt problem even worse.
This a spiraling situation of bankruptcy and insolvency at its worst. The cash flow of MNBC/MPCBC cannot be utilized to pay down the debt as these program dollars are earmarked, and directed with reporting requirements with a usual 15 percent administration. The situation is only to buy time until the next election, and the Nation should hold those that sign the financial statements accountable even if they try to walk away. There was no mandate from the communities to enter into this debt ladened situation, and as a famous quote goes from Malonie Langthorne, “It was a secret”.
Métis advisor – Finances:
So again we have another voice that clearly states what is happening is crazy.
It also is not a sign of any business savvy on the part of the attendees at the MNBC A.G.M. , who passed this motion to extend their loan applications.
So the idea of holding those who put the MNBC in this mess responsible is desirable but probably not going to happen.
The Leaders will sell new comers (who will rush in to be elected) ,that everything is fine, talk them into signing loan guarantees and walk out the door.
Obviously those with business sense would not touch this with a ten foot pole.
In our small efficient Métis community have enough business experience not to be involved but will watch this with interest.
It is really a form of evolution, as the money seekers are experiencing a very well deserved form of Karma and as soon as they are out of the way we can get on with Nation Building..
Richard Lucier-larson
Very true R. Lucier-Larson. One item that should be built into the BCMF and the constitution is this protection as so this can never happen again. It is apparent that the attendees at the MNBC many who were paid delegates will not make that change.
I am in wonder as the banks sign the guarantees with property security and if it is that easy once you are no longer elected to switch guaranteers, then it is a good deal for the signees and not so good for the banks. I doubt that the banking industry would risk that kind of guarantee on elections. My thoughts.
It certainly strikes me as odd that new guaranteers can just come in and sign on. Me thinks the assets of the newly elected board members would need to, at least, be of equal value to those signing out.
When President Truman stated ” When you can’t convince them, confuse them” he must have been thinking of MNBC.
Métis Finances:
Would you sign on to the guarantees with the Bank ??
Richard Lucier-larson
Not a chance !!!!
Page 18 Bank Indebtedness Financial Statement indicates: “The loans are secured by a general security agreement covering all personal property of the council”
If I was a board member of MNBC and fell out of favour with the bank that holds the general security agreement, I would be duly worried. I also would not run in the MNBC election and put up my personal property for someone’s past mismanagement mistakes. Maybe it would be ok to run if all you own is a old beat up station wagon and rent an apartment. (Little Metis humour there)
Métis Finances :
Seeing that I now live in a apartment and don’t have a beat up station wagon, this still does not encourage me to run for office in the MNBC.
In my opinion if we can find anyone who will, I have a bridge to sell them. (somewhat Métis Humour)
Richard Lucier-larson