(Vancouver, BC) The BC Métis Federation is releasing a public statement in light of the posters circulating by the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) throughout BC. The MNBC poster continues to mislead the Métis public and likely many other agencies into a false perception about the alleged place of the MNBC as the “only recognized Provincial and Federal Métis organization in BC.” The poster goes on to suggest why it matters, specially identifying that the MNBC registry is Powley Compliant.
There are many Métis people upset and demanding BC Métis Federation to respond. The fact is MNBC is a non for profit member based society, not legislated in any capacity. There is no legislation in BC or Canada to support their claims and the current majority of agreements focus on programs and services. The MNBC is not Powley compliant for a major reason, 99.9% of their members do not have historic ties to a Métis community in BC, which a future Powley like case would require. Another fact is that despite an estimated 60,000 Métis people in BC, the MNBC only had approximately 600 voters in their last election in the fall of 2012.
The BC Métis Federation continues our efforts to stop the discriminatory actions by MNBC who we know has financially insolvent and functionally bankrupt. This is their latest tactic to convince the Métis public that MNBC is the true representative of Métis people in BC. Unfortunately for MNBC the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects our individual rights of association and that is why so many Métis have moved by the thousands with BC Métis Federation.
BC Metis Federation President Henry stated; “BC Métis Federation and our members and supporters realize the manipulation and game. This is not new and MNBC continues to pull out all of the stops. It is a game of power and control. The grass roots are making up their own minds about who they support and our membership grows substantially each day.” BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded;”We see the interest and excitement building. We expect a major shift in government policy here in BC in May and time will change all. MNBC can carry on as a service delivery organization who has proven they will discriminate about who is Métis in BC. I certainly am Métis without their card, despite their repeated efforts.”
To Join the communication wave, press the like button on our-Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCMetis or via Twitter https://twitter.com/Keithhenrymetis.
For more information about the BC Mètis Federation please review our website www.bcmetis.com.
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
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-March-20th-2013-MNBC-Poster.pdf” style=”download”]Download this Letter in PDF format[/ilink]
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/MNBC-Poster-March-2013-1.pdf” style=”download”]Download MNBC Poster-Powley Compliant[/ilink]
