Terrace, BC – BC Métis Federation leadership is celebrating the success of their Annual General Meeting (AGM) held this past weekend in Terrace at the Elks Lodge. Approximately 110 individuals attended online and in person over the two days to participate in the governance for the BC Métis Federation. Métis people attended online and in person from Vancouver, Surrey, Prince George, Terrace, Fort St. John, and many other locations. The meeting featured Métis cultural talent with Métis fiddler Rene Therrien and local talent from Terrace such as Skeena North. Various partners attended including TransCanada, Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, Fort St. John Métis Society, and others. BC Métis Federation continued to increase public transparency by broadcasting the AGM live on the Métis Coffee Talk channel hosted on the BC Métis Federation website. Through the use of technology presentations were made via online by some presentations. BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “Our team did another great job. The meeting was difficult though given the anger and frustration resulting from the wrongful and illegal removal of Métis foster child SS from our community. This issue resonated throughout the AGM meeting and members supported and demanded action. This is self-governance in action and we are taking immediate steps following the mandate approved by members and a letter has already been sent to the BC Justice Minister.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry added, “The AGM also included our audited financial statements, investments and progress with our economic development company, advancement in consultation activities, etc. Members approved the Chief Electoral Officer report and we have a new board of nine leaders dedicated to supporting the organization for the next two years. Thank you to all of us going forward:
1. President Keith Henry – North Vancouver
2. Vice President Elect Rene Therrien – Terrace
3. Secretary Joe Desjarlais – North Vancouver
4. Betty Fisher – Treasurer
5. Directors At Large
a. Baillie Redfern – Vancouver
b. Ken Fisher – Surrey
c. Cindy Wilgosh – Clearwater
d. Jeremy (JJ) Lavallee – Surrey
e. Earl Belcourt – Duncan
The organization should continue to be proud of al we have done and accomplished.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “Thank you to our BC Métis Federation team starting with Sherry Daniels, Shauna Collister, Jesse Donovan, and Kelly Davison for the operational support. Thank you to our chair member John Cashore who did an amazing job. Thank you the Métis performers for the contributions to feature our culture and ensure fun on Friday night and the UNBC Longhouse and again Saturday evening. Thank you to corporate sponsors and partners. Finally, a special thank you to our grassroots members as many showed up and paid their own expenses to attend and participate. That was authentic Métis self governance in action. Our future is very bright!” BC Métis Federation has posted a number of pictures and videos from the weekend meetings on the BC Métis Federation Facebook page so be sure to view https://www.facebook.com/BCMetis?fref=ts.
For more information about the BC Métis Federation go to www.bcmetis.com.
-30-
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
You can follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis
You can follow BC Métis Federation on twitter @BCMétis
