(Vancouver, BC) The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) continues to administer the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement (AHRDA), now the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) employment and training funding on behalf of all Métis people for British Columbia.

Unfortunately it appears that Métis people approved for much needed employment and training funding have not had their tuition’s paid to many of the post secondary institutions in British Columbia during the months of September 2010 to June 2011. Consequently the British Columbia Métis Federation (BCMF) has been contacted by several Métis individuals who were approved for training programs by any one of the MNBC offices during this period but have been informed by their training institution that MNBC has yet to pay their approved tuitions.

It is BCMF’s understanding that MNBC has received the contracted financial resources from the Federal Government department of Service Canada for the AHRDA (ASETS) for the fiscal year April 1st, 2010 – March 31st, 2011 (approximately 6.5 million) and as such all MNBC approved tuition’s should have been paid without delay.

BCMF has now been advised that SFU and UVIC will not release approved Métis student’s certificates or report cards until the tuition’s approved by the MNBC are paid in full. BCMF has also been advised other post secondary institutions will not accept MNBC letters of approval going forward and require either the MNBC or these students to provide tuition payments in full which could pose another major barrier for those most in need, a reason the AHRDA (ASETS) was set in place originally.

This is of grave concern to the BCMF and many of the Métis people throughout British Columbia. Therefore BCMF is immediately calling all Métis people to action and is encouraging Métis students who have been affected by this situation to contact BCMF President Keith Henry either by phone or email in confidence ASAP.
Please provide the following information:

1. Name
2. What MNBC office did you apply to?
3. When did you apply for MNBC employment and training funding?
4. When did you receive MNBC approval?
5. Has your institution held your report card or certificate/diploma?

All information will be kept in the strictest of confidence and names will not be made public. However, it appears MNBC was provided the resources to pay their programs on time and BCMF believes immediate action must be taken. This is unacceptable and appears to be impacting innocent Métis students as a result of the overall MNBC financial mismanagement.

BCMF President Keith Henry can be reached at 1-778-388-5013 or by email at K.Henry@BCMetis.com.

BCMF strongly encourages all Métis individuals affected to immediately notify BCMF President Keith Henry as steps are being taken to address this issue and provide support to ensure MNBC addresses this situation without delay.

[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Letter-to-the-Public-27-June-2011.pdf” style=”download”]BCMF Letter to the Public – 27 June 2011[/ilink]