(Vancouver, BC) BC Métis Federation is releasing the following statement in light of the decision by the BC Human Rights Tribunal released this morning that denied the intervener application by the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC). BC Métis Federation has been advancing a human rights discrimination claim against the Provincial Government Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Provincial Government Ministry of Child and Family Development since January 2013.
The MNBC applied for intervener status on June 26th asserting various positions such as the notion that MNBC is the only representative organization for all Métis in British Columbia that provides services and governance. On August 14th, 2013 the BC Human Rights Tribunal notified all parties about the MNBC intervener application. A number of submissions were provided to the BC Human Rights Commission following this notification and a Tribunal Member rendered a decision against MNBC which was released at 9:00 AM this morning.
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “We applaud the decision because it is clear MNBC does not represent all Métis people in British Columbia. The BC Métis Federation claim has nothing to do with MNBC and despite their continued false statements that they represent all Métis people in BC; it appears the BC Human Rights Tribunal is becoming more aware of the situation.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “We expect to have the Provincial Government response by December 10th and will take steps as appropriate to continue advancing the claims and discontinue the injustice and discrimination by the Provincial Government against Métis rights and Métis who freely choose not to be part of MNBC. MNBC has no right to take over our case and we continue to be validated through independent processes. We welcome next steps in the BC Human Rights Tribunal process.”
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=”http://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-November-19th-2013-MNBC-Denied-Intervenor-Status2.pdf” style=”download”]Download this press release in PDF[/ilink]
[ilink url=”http://bcmetis.com/2013/05/bc-human-rights-tribunal-agrees-to-hear-bc-metis-federation-discrimination-complaint/” style=”download”]For more information about the BC Métis Federation claim[/ilink]
