(Surrey, BC) – The BC Métis Federation leadership met with the Nova Métis Heritage Association (Nova) in Surrey, BC yesterday to update one another on priorities and work to advancing the needs of members and partner communities. Nova represents approximately 2200 Métis members in Surrey and area and has been active for years.
This was the first of a number of meetings announced by the BC Métis Federation last week with community meetings now scheduled next in Kamloops, Prince George followed by Fort St. John and Dawson Creek in July.
BC Métis Federation President Henry stated, “Our leadership included Executive Member Betty Fisher, Kamloops board member Jeanie Cardinal, and myself in attendance. BC Métis Federation also brought our 2 team members including Sherry Daniels and our new Executive Director for the Development Corporation Shauna Benson. W reviewed the recent summer newsletter, provided insight into the upcoming meeting with the Special Advisor on Métis rights, Annual General Meeting/Industry Forum, Louis Riel Symposium, and spent considerable time speaking about the new economic development corporation.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry added, “Nova leadership asked several questions about the BC Métis Federation and how to more effectively understand the future objectives with the new economic development corporation and how this might benefit Nova and their members. Nova also shared a number of their challenges and things they hoped we could mutually support where it made sense.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “There was a true partnership between the organizations. I felt our team all made strong contributions showcased by the number of board members we had in attendance sharing leadership roles. BC Métis Federation is working with Nova on upcoming Métis cultural activities in addition to governance advocacy and Métis rights support. We were pleased to support their community youth event in July and we are preparing for the Fusion Festival in July in partnership with Nova. Nova leaders appear strongly behind the Louis Riel Symposium scheduled for Vancouver this November. Thank you to the Nova leadership for the ongoing relationship and we continue to commit to meeting and answering questions as any provincial leadership should be accountable for at a minimum on a regular basis. I look forward to our next meetings in Kamloops, Prince George, Fort St. John, and Dawson Creek.”
For more information about the BC Métis Federation view our website at www.bcmetis.com.
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