Sign squabble threatens to divide Metis (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Sign squabble threatens to divide Metis
Buffalo Narrows Local 62 wants to declare village a Metis community

By Lee Kaiser
http://www.meadowlakeprogress.com/story.php?id=118769

[photo inset -Buffalo Narrows Metis Local 62 planned to erect welcome
signs such as the one above on the outskirts of the village Friday.]

Meadow Lake Progress — Citizens of Buffalo Narrows are in the midst of a
schism over whether to declare themselves a Metis community.

On Friday some members of the Metis Nation Local 62, led by president
Philip Chartier, were planning to erect signs at each end of the
village declaring it a Metis community.

But that doesn’t sit well with mayor Bob Woods, who says it will do
nothing but damage to the village, both economically and for relations
between Metis, First Nations and non-native citizens.

“Our council supports some of the Metis Nation’s initiative’s but we
don’t want to be portrayed as a Metis community. We want our doors open
to everyone and to move forward and attract new business in the
community.”

He fears this could hurt their efforts to attract another grocery store
to the village.

Metis Local 62 figures show a populace of 80 per cent Metis, 10 per cent
First Nation and 10 per cent non-native.

“I don’t want to count people as Metis or not. What’s important is that
we live together as people.”

He prefers stating these are “Metis traditional lands” rather than the
politically charged overtones of “Metis community,” he says.

“Metis politics have been a major interference with local politics
because the issue is over power and control ... it should be up to the
people to decide what they want – a municipal council or Metis
leaders.”

The mayor and all of council are also of Metis descent.

He said the sign request first surfaced at the most recent meeting of
the Association of Northwest Municipalities and he expects other
northwest communities with large Metis populations will soon be facing
the same choice.

“Mr. Chartier came to council and said he wouldn’t be asking for
permission, he was just going to do it anyway.”

Depending on whether the signs are erected on village property or Crown
land, he says the village can order them to be removed.

Days before the sign ceremony, promoted as a celebration of culture and
heritage, Chartier appeared upbeat and downplayed the village’s
opposition.

“In no way is it done to challenge or jeopardize municipal jurisdiction.
People have to understand that.

“Our intent is that through history it is a Metis community, that’s
number one.”

Metis signs are becoming common, he says. “It’s about time we let people
know Buffalo Narrows is one of the Metis communities on the northwest
side.

“You see in Green Lake a sign saying the Metis (settlements) and as you
drive north you see (a Metis language sign) which means Ile a la Crosse
Metis Land and to the north of us La Loche I believe has a sign saying
welcome to the Dene Community of La Loche.”

He says Local 62 is also motivated by last year’s Supreme Court Powley
decision which stated a Metis individual’s hunting and fishing rights
could only be derived from those communities identified specifically as
Metis.

That high court ruled in favor of Metis hunting rights in the Sault Ste.
Marie area being on par with status Indians. Metis Nation lawyers
contend that applies across the country.