(Nanaimo, BC) The Mid Island Mètis Nation (MIMN) is one of the Mètis community organizations who work with the Mètis Nation British Columbia (MNBC). MIMN represents a number of Mètis people in Nanaimo and area.
MIMN released a letter dated June 1st joining the growing chorus of Mètis voices against the decision by the MNBC to sign in support of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project. The MIMN letter calls into question any such MNBC claims and makes strong statements about the meeting in May led by MNBC called the Community Advisory Meeting.
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “The evidence continues to mount showcasing Mètis community opposition against the MNBC decision to sign an equity agreement and support the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines Project. MIMN is one of the communities MNBC allegedly represents and despite this relationship MNBC leaders have ignored any sense of democracy for the people they claim to represent.”
President Henry added, “MNBC leaders are being invited to speak at other Enbridge engagement events to speak about the alleged Mètis support. In fact MNBC President Dumont is speaking this week in Richmond at another Enbridge Community Advisory Board which includes a number of stakeholders. I can hear him making excuses and suggesting the BC Mètis Federation is not to be taken seriously already. He will say this despite the fact Mètis organizations working with MNBC are furious with the MNBC announcement to support the project. Where is Enbridge’s due diligence in light of the number of Mètis communities and MNBC representatives who have resigned or clearly sent letters against the proposed Enbridge project?”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “MIMN is to be congratulated for speaking out. All other MNBC Chartered Communities should write letters to clarify their views on the Enbridge project in light of the lack of consultation and proper mandate for MNBC. MNBC has no legitimate authority to speak at any such Enbridge meetings on behalf of Mètis people in BC about any alleged support. This MNBC board has made this decision in isolation with no land base and no stated claims along the pipeline corridor. MNBC has ignored First Nations protocols and taken away any meaningful engagement for Mètis people. The environmental risks and gravity of this project realized even more in light of the massive pipeline break this past weekend near Red Deer where it has been reported about 3000 barrels of product has spilled in the latest issue. I continue to encourage all Mètis people and communities to speak out. Mr. Dumont has not authority but you need to speak out once and for all.”
For more information about the BC Métis Federation please view the website.
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 now follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-June-12th-2012-MIMN.pdf” style=”download”]Download this Letter in PDF format[/ilink]
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/MIMN-Letter-Enbridge-June-1st-2012.pdf” style=”download”]MIMN Letter Enbridge June 1st, 2012[/ilink]
