The Northwest Metis Council and the City of Dauphin have been working together for a number of years, and that relationship was evident on Monday.
As the NWMC opened its new Governance Building on Main Street South in Dauphin, the crowd was full of city officials and employees. During her address, NWMC Vice-President Francis Chartrand talked about her pride in the community.
"The City of Dauphin is our partner, and they know who the Red River Metis are, and I'm so proud to say that. This is part of reconciliation, and I'm so proud to be working with the City of Dauphin, and a proud resident of the City of Dauphin."
Mayor David Bosiak is also thankful for all the work that NWMC has done to help Dauphin grow.
"I think the Northwest Metis Council has been one of the largest investors in our community over the last number of years. As things slowed down during the pandemic they were very aggressive with their build, and getting their building up, so it's really good to have a partnership with their organization because of their commitment to their own values and purpose."
Bosiak says they also want to continue growing the relationship between the two governments.
"There are other things that we, as a municipal government, would like to talk to them about, in a context of a government-to-government relationship, to see how else we can work together going forward."
City Manager Sharla Griffiths says the Manitoba Metis Federation approached the city about strengthening the relationship.
"Several years ago MMF President David Chartrand, NWMC Vice President Frances Chartrand, and their Council and Staff approached the late Mayor Allen Dowhan and the City’s Council and Staff about strengthening the NWMC’s presence in Dauphin. Since then, we’ve seen great things from the NWMC, including their purchase and use of the 11th Avenue Hall, construction of the Daycare and Governance Office, exterior renovation of their Housing First building on Main Street S, and their partnership with Under One Roof to create an overnight warm drop-in space."
Griffiths says Vice President Chartrand and her team have been great to work with, and she looks forward to continuing the partnership.
