After being left out of the province’s planning for Manitoba 150 celebrations, the Manitoba Métis Federation is saying they will host their own events.
Planning for the celebration of Manitoba’s entry into Confederation -which many attribute to negotiations undertaken by Métis Leader Louis Riel in 1870- has been underway for over a year.
MMF President David Chartrand says that the organization not invited to partake in the planning process. Chartrand blames the omission on Premier Brian Pallister.
“The Premier has a very negative view towards the Métis people in the sense of the Métis nation,” said Chartrand. “I want to apologize to Manitoba because this shouldn’t be affecting 150.”
The relationship between the province and the MMF has been strained as of late due to the government’s cancelling of two deals between the province, Manitoba Hydro, and the MMF totalling over $87 million. The deals were scrapped after the province called one of the payments “persuasion money.”
The MMF has sued the province over the decision. A court decision has yet to be reached.
The Manitoba 150 Committee, which operates separately from the government, says that they invited Chartrand to attend the launch of the committee last March. Chartrand says the invitation never came.
Another reason Chartrand is upset is due to the lack of mention of Louis Riel, who is essentially absent in Manitoba 150’s promotions of the year-long event.
“There is no real shining light given to the Métis people or the Métis government,” said Chartrand.
He added that the MMF plans to compensate for the province’s omission of Riel by hosting its own celebration, which will include a production of the play “The Life of Louis Riel”.
Chartrand is hoping to receive federal funding for the celebration.
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault said in a mandate letter last year, that funding and support for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Métis nation entering Confederation is a top priority.
