Statement by President Chartrand in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21, 2021

Winnipeg, MB, in the Métis Nation Homeland - Today, Canada marks National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is fitting that this day is celebrated at the summer solstice, when the sun travels its longest path across the sky. It can be seen as symbolic of the long pathway Canada's Indigenous Peoples have had to travel toward truth and reconciliation.

2021 is a year that has seen tragedy and heartache for the Indigenous community, through the discovery at the Kamloops Residential School and personal losses brought on by COVID-19, as well as rays of hope like the passing of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Manitoba's Métis community has seen significant progress toward a final agreement with Canada for recognition of the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) as the government of the Métis people. The MMF and the Government of Canada continue to work in partnership to expand on numerous initiatives like economic opportunities for Citizens, safe and affordable housing, advancing education and continuing protection for Elders, youth and the environment.

We have also experienced overt racism and marginalization at the hands of Brian Pallister's provincial government.

Despite the hardships and challenges in 2021, the Métis Nation has proved its resilience once again. We continue to stand strong in our prairie Homeland, in the province we brought into Canada's Confederation in 1870. I truly believe we are making progress toward the vision Louis Riel had for our Nation, and I can't wait for us to take the next steps forward. I can't wait to start gathering again as a community, to celebrate our milestones and hear your thoughts on advancing our Nation.

To Citizens: I encourage you to take a moment and celebrate your identity and your unique heritage as part of Métis Nation and remember - believe in yourself; believe in Métis. For all Manitobans, I invite you to learn more about the Métis Nation and its role in Manitoba's history.

Called National Aboriginal Day at its inception in 1996 and changed to its current name in 2017, National Indigenous Peoples Day calls on all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada.

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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is the democratic self-governing political representative for the Métis Nation's Manitoba Métis Community. The Manitoba Métis Community is Canada's Partner in Confederation and the Founder of the Province of Manitoba.

For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor

Manitoba Metis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca 

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