APTN News: Canada’s minister of Northern affairs says the Métis Nation of Ontario has some challenges ahead in proving its legitimacy to other Indigenous organizations.
“The Ontario Métis have more work to do,” said Dan Vandal. “They need to sit down with First Nations and other Métis affiliates from across Canada and have these important discussions. I’m going to work closely with Minister [Gary] Anandasangaree (minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations) and the rest of cabinet and, of course, the Manitoba Métis Federation[MMF] and all Métis affiliates across Canada to do the right thing when we move this (Bill C-53) forward, or not.”
Vandal, who is Red River Métis and represents the Liberals in the Winnipeg riding of Saint Boniface-Saint Vital, gave this answer on Nation to Nation when asked to comment on the future of the controversial proposed government legislation Bill C-53.
The bill is meant to formally recognize Métis governments in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario but is strongly opposed by both the Manitoba Métis Federation and Chiefs of Ontario who do not see the Métis Nation of Ontario as a legitimate organization.
Last month, the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S)withdrew its support for the legislation and later this month the MMF and Chiefs of Ontario will be co-hosting an identity summit where they will take direct aim at organizations like the MNO who they say are appropriating Indigenous culture.
Bill C-53 currently sits in a House of Commons committee after passing second reading but Vandal said the work that needs to be done goes far beyond what this committee can accomplish.
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