(Terrace, BC) The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) leaders continued their latest tactics to divide their community organizations this past week in Terrace, BC. The North West BC Métis Association (NWBCMA) is one of the identified thirty-three Métis community associations that are listed on the MNBC website as a Chartered Community. The NWBCMA is one of the few active Métis community associations in BC and one of the 24 in good corporate standing that have a relationship with MNBC through the MNBC designed Charter Agreement.
Earlier in June the NWBCMA Directors called a special meeting with the NWBCMA members to decide on terminating their Charter Agreement with MNBC in light of the decision in May to support the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines Project. Most recently the NWBCMA President Alan Sauve resigned largely due to this reason as well. This past Wednesday NWBCMA Director Rosanne Pearce added he name to the resignations because of the deliberate interference by MNBC once more when they became aware of resolutions to terminate the relationship with their organization.
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “The letter from former NWBCMA Director Rosanne Pearce is shameful and revealing. There is no denying that MNBC’s interference at all costs attitude in light of their support for the Enbridge project is a complete and utter disgrace. Terrace if viewed as a critical location in light of their community in relation to the proposed pipeline project. How much did MNBC money pay to send their representatives to Terrace and hold a meeting over the weekend and orchestrate and interfere? Who paid for this? Does anyone really think this is appropriate or the meaning of self governance?”
BC Métis Federation President Henry further added, “Her resignation reveals how MNBC has deliberately interfered on numerous occasions and not consulted with the NWBCMA members about the Enbridge project. This adds to the growing evidence mounting against the MNBC and the misrepresentation they are making to industry and governments alike.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “I want to acknowledge Rosanne, her mother Elizabeth and so many previous NWBCMA Directors who donated their time and energy to assist their Métis community in Terrace. The lack of participation, as referred to in her letter in Terrace, throughout BC is due in large part to these sorts of unethical and corrupt tactics by MNBC. MNBC leaders travel around BC, do not provide any real support for Métis communities for infrastructure, and then play heavy handed politics. Ask yourself when was the last time any Métis community was really was assisted by MNBC? That is why there is no progress. We look forward to working with the number if NWBCMA members who are terminating their MNBC citizenship and NWBCMA membership. The BC Métis Federation will rebuild a stronger Métis community with a real voice in Terrace.”
Keith Henry
President, British Columbia Métis Federation
Suite 300-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
V5R 5W2
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-June-29th-2012-NWBCMA-Director-Pearce-Resigns.pdf” style=”download”]Download the full press release in PDF format.[/ilink]
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/Rosanne-Pearce-Resignation-June-27th-2012.pdf” style=”download”]Download Roseanne Pearce’s letter of resignation in PDF format.[/ilink]
