Métis Nation British Columbia

The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), formerly Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia, is the only federally recognized body representing Métis in British Columbia, Canada. As of November 2024, the president is Walter Mineault, the vice-president is Melanie Allard.

According to MNBC they represent;

...the section 35 rights of over 27,000 Métis citizens who are registered with MNBC and advocates for the over 98,000 self-identified Métis in British Columbia. MNBC represents thirty-nine (39) Métis Chartered Communities in British Columbia.

— Métis Nation British Columbia

They state their mission is to;

...represent Métis citizens and promote the rights, recognition, priorities and interests of all Métis in BC. We create opportunities for our people, communities, and children to flourish, and work to ensure access to a range of programs and services to bridge socioeconomic gaps and increase overall well-being for Métis in BC.

— Métis Nation British Columbia

The MNBC is recognized by the Métis National Council, the Government of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada as the governing nation for Métis in BC.

Controversy

Disputes with the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations

Rejection of the Tale of Two Nations report

In 2021, the BC First Nations Leadership Council, a group representing the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, issued a rejection of the Métis Nation British Columbia's report "A Tale of Two Nations: Highlighting the Inequities of the Treatment of the Métis in BC".. The rejection opposed the report's attempt to assert constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights, and accused the Métis Nation British Columbia of attempting to exercise "self-determination and self-government on lands that are not their own, and are well outside of the Métis Homeland".

Departure from the Métis National Council

In October 2024, the Métis Nation British Columbia pulled out of the annual general meeting of the Métis National Council, citing issues with the governance structure following the departure of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan group's departure followed that of the Manitoba Métis Federation in 2021 over the same issue; the inclusion of the Métis Nation of Ontario and the lack of verification of their members' heritage.

Further reading

• Andrews, G. S. Metis Outpost Memoirs of the First Schoolmaster at the Metis Settlement of Kelly Lake, B.C., 1923-1925. Victoria, B.C., Canada: G.S. Andrews, 1985. ISBN 0-9692169-0-4
• Barkwell, Lawrence J., Leah Dorion, and Audreen Hourie. Métis legacy Michif culture, heritage, and folkways. Métis legacy series, v. 2. Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2006. ISBN 0-920915-80-9
• Barkwell, Lawrence J., Leah Dorion and Darren Prefontaine. "Metis Legacy: A Historiography and Annotated Bibliography". Winnipeg: Pemmican Publications Inc. and Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2001. ISBN 1-894717-03-1
• Desjarlais, N. Colin. The Rights of the Métis in British Columbia. Vancouver: Native Programs, Legal Services Society of British Columbia, 1995. ISBN 0-7726-2466-6
• Evans, Mike. What It Is to Be a Métis The Stories and Recollections of the Elders of the Prince George Métis Elders Society. Prince George, BC: UNBC Press, 1999. ISBN 1-896315-08-9
• Goulet, George and Goulet, Terry. The Metis in British Columbia: From Fur Trade Outposts to Colony. Vancouver, BC & Calgary, AB: FabJob, 2008. ISBN 978-1-897286-29-6
• Inkster, Rene. The Métis of British Columbia Fundamental Reading and Writing Exercises. [Victoria]: BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology, 2001.
• Point, Leona. Metis People of Quesnel People of Mixed Heritage Living in the North Cariboo of British Columbia. Quesnel, B.C.: Quesnel Tillicum Society], 1994. ISBN 1-895795-02-8

External links

• Métis Nation British Columbia official website