Latest news with #Métis
Hamilton Spectator
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Back to Batoche wraps up successful celebration of Métis culture
Back to Batoche opened the final day of celebrations with the procession of the President's Cabin to the graveyard at the Batoche Historic Site. Back to Batoche Days are held annually to commemorate the 1885 Northwest Resistance. It has grown into one of the largest Métis cultural gatherings in Canada. Métis Nation Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum said after the procession that Métis history and the history of the Northwest Resistance is important to celebrate. 'If you take a look at the history of the Métis Nation and Batoche, this is a very interesting place. It's got rich history,' McCallum said. He said that the resistance was defeated, but the culture is still alive. '(Louis) Riel fought here and stood up for the rights of Métis, and to be able to see people gathering here from right across Canada.' According to estimates, on Sunday nearly 40,000 people attended Back to Batoche from July 17 to July 20. McCallum said the annual event helps tell the story of the Metis people. It also helps introduce Metis culture to the rest of Canada. 'That story goes out there, and it hits home to us,' he explained. 'There were people arriving just for the day. I heard about it and they said, 'We're not Metis. We're non-Indigenous. We heard about it. We're here. We're going to come back.' This has to be shared because it's for everyone.' McCalllum said working with governments has helped the Saskatchewan Métis get land back. He said there are roughly 1,900 acres across the river and on the Batoche side. 'We have the historic site working side by side,' McCallum said. 'We're getting crowded, but we're good at that because of the good story that's leaving Batoche with the people that come to visit. It's going to continue to grow.' The weekend included cultural celebrations, music, a jigging contest on Sunday, and sports like slow pitch, the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA), and a rodeo. The last day of CPCA races were cancelled due to rain. 'I look forward to the future in regards to the well-being of our Métis people and the celebration that we have here,' McCallum said. McCallum added that MN-S continues to work with the Federal and Provincial governments, industry and institutions to keep the MN-S name present. During the weekend Premier Scott Moe and other dignitaries came to the annual celebration with Moe speaking at Friday's opening ceremonies. McCallum said he had a very good meeting with Moe, and is confident the MN-S will continue to work well with the province. Going forward, McCallum expects the MN-S to sign harvesting agreements with the government. He said they are also working on health and economic development agreements. 'There are a lot of things we're going to be doing even with the First Nations in Southern Saskatchewan, (and) we have five reserves that we work with in Northern Saskatchewan,' McCallum said. He gave examples of several North Saskatchewan entities like Cameco and Dennison Mines that the MN-S is working with. 'They're all coming to hear us out and hear our story, but more importantly, sign agreements to be able to benefit from what's going on in Saskatchewan,' he said. The Procession pays tribute to those who lost their lives in the Battle of Batoche and are buried at the cemetery on the Historic Site. The Battle of Batoche was a decisive event in Métis history. The Battle of Batoche saw an alliance of First Nations and Métis people against the Canadian militia as part of the North-West Rebellion. The militia was victorious in the battle, which led to the capture of Métis leader Louis Riel, who was eventually executed. McCallum said it is important to remember that history. 'We have to remind people this is actually what happened and to be happy,' he explained. 'We can't be sad all the time. It was a sad moment, but at the same time life continues and the Métis people keep growing and the more that we grow, the more we get to participate in other areas with Metis and First Nations and non-Indigenous people. That's a beautiful thing to see.' After the procession made its way to the cemetery there was a ceremony that included people bringing their Metis sashes to be place on the gravesite. One young boy volunteered his sash which caused a large group of people to give their sashes to the memorial. The MN-S also partners with school divisions in Saskatchewan, including the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division to grow the Michif language. Saskatchewan Rivers offers the Michif language at Queen Mary and St. Louis Public School. McCallum said that MN-S has been able to tap into both Catholic and Public school divisions. 'It's through those organizations that represent schools from elementary to high school, and those are the places that we have to negotiate with, sign agreements, and support them in regards to carrying the language forward,' McCallum said. 'We need to promote it (Michif) more, (and) tell the story of how important that language is.' McCallum said his weekend was busy with interviews and sharing the Métis story. 'It is beautiful. I like people coming to see and to be able to be on the ground and ask these questions and to be able to work together as Canadians. Let's try as much as we can to be able to understand each other more, no matter where we come from, First Nations, Métis, Inuit or non-Indigenous. Let's work together and somehow come with a plan that works for everyone,' McCallum said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. 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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Métis National Council President Calls for Indigenous Inclusion and Shared Economic Prosperity at Council of the Federation
HUNTSVILLE, ON, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Métis National Council (MNC) President Victoria Pruden met with Premiers and other Regional and National Indigenous Leaders at the Council of the Federation meeting, where Premiers unanimously supported Indigenous inclusion in First Ministers Meetings (FMMs). President Pruden spoke alongside leaders of Indigenous organizations to advance Métis priorities on economic development. President Pruden noted that discussions about economic reconciliation and major projects directly affect the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples, emphasizing the need for Indigenous representation at First Ministers' Meetings. "For true economic reconciliation to take place, Métis governments must be equal partners at the table," said President Pruden. "We need to move beyond a side meeting to nation-to-nation, government-to-government discussions with the Premiers." During the meeting, President Pruden provided key findings from the Status of the Métis Economy Report, released in June 2025. The report highlighted how Métis businesses generated over $25 billion in revenue in 2020, driven by strong labour force participation and growing educational attainment rates, particularly in the skilled trades. While celebrating these successes, she also addressed the persistent socio-economic gaps and the urgent need for targeted, distinctions-based measures to ensure equitable participation in major projects. President Pruden reiterated that free, prior, and informed consent and meaningful consultation are non-negotiable for advancing shared prosperity without undermining Métis rights, governance, or the environment. President Pruden looks forward to renewed partnerships between the Métis Nation and Canada's Premiers, working together to strengthen Indigenous economies, improve procurement opportunities, and advance a distinctions-based approach to economic resilience and reconciliation. Since 1983, the Métis National Council has been the national and international voice of the Métis Nation within Canada. Through national research and policy development, the MNC advocates to advance the rights and interests of Métis Governments, including the implementation of the Métis Nation's inherent right to self-determination and self-government. The MNC is committed to accountability and transparency within its operations, and to its relationships with its Governing Members and other partners. SOURCE Métis National Council View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
4 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Métis National Council President Calls for Indigenous Inclusion and Shared Economic Prosperity at Council of the Federation
HUNTSVILLE, ON, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Métis National Council (MNC) President Victoria Pruden met with Premiers and other Regional and National Indigenous Leaders at the Council of the Federation meeting, where Premiers unanimously supported Indigenous inclusion in First Ministers Meetings (FMMs). President Pruden spoke alongside leaders of Indigenous organizations to advance Métis priorities on economic development. President Pruden noted that discussions about economic reconciliation and major projects directly affect the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples, emphasizing the need for Indigenous representation at First Ministers' Meetings. "For true economic reconciliation to take place, Métis governments must be equal partners at the table," said President Pruden. "We need to move beyond a side meeting to nation-to-nation, government-to-government discussions with the Premiers." During the meeting, President Pruden provided key findings from the Status of the Métis Economy Report, released in June 2025. The report highlighted how Métis businesses generated over $25 billion in revenue in 2020, driven by strong labour force participation and growing educational attainment rates, particularly in the skilled trades. While celebrating these successes, she also addressed the persistent socio-economic gaps and the urgent need for targeted, distinctions-based measures to ensure equitable participation in major projects. President Pruden reiterated that free, prior, and informed consent and meaningful consultation are non-negotiable for advancing shared prosperity without undermining Métis rights, governance, or the environment. President Pruden looks forward to renewed partnerships between the Métis Nation and Canada's Premiers, working together to strengthen Indigenous economies, improve procurement opportunities, and advance a distinctions-based approach to economic resilience and reconciliation. Since 1983, the Métis National Council has been the national and international voice of the Métis Nation within Canada. Through national research and policy development, the MNC advocates to advance the rights and interests of Métis Governments, including the implementation of the Métis Nation's inherent right to self-determination and self-government. The MNC is committed to accountability and transparency within its operations, and to its relationships with its Governing Members and other partners.
CBC
7 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Métis National Council says meeting with premiers was collaborative, encouraging
Premiers and Indigenous leaders agreed Monday to pitch the prime minister on a first ministers' meeting that will involve First Nations, Inuit and Métis representation. National Métis Council President Victoria Pruden tells Power & Politics that she left the meetings feeling 'encouraged.'
Hamilton Spectator
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Premiers meet with Indigenous groups on first day of three-day Ontario gathering
HUNTSVILLE, ONT. - Canada's premiers are pledging economic reconciliation with Indigenous people as they head into discussions with First Nations, Métis and Inuit groups at a three-day meeting in cottage country north of Toronto. The premiers have gathered at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont., to talk trade and tariffs, particularly when they meet Tuesday with Prime Minister Mark Carney. But first they are set to have discussions with leaders from the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council and the Native Women's Association of Canada, among other Indigenous groups. That meeting comes as Indigenous communities have expressed concerns with federal and provincial laws meant to fast-track major infrastructure projects as a way to stimulate the economy facing tariff impacts. 'We think this is a great opportunity for economic reconciliation with First Nations,' Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Monday. 'We're going to make sure that they prosper like they've never had before and the door is open for them,' Ontario Premier Doug Ford said. 'They're welcome to walk through that door and partner with the entire country and partner with Ontario to make their lives more prosperous than they've ever seen before. That's gonna be their choice.' Smith and Ford said time is tight as the country needs to move fast in the trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump. But two new laws aimed at stimulating the economy have sparked outrage from many First Nations who want meaningful consultation on major projects in their territories. The federal law known as Bill C-5 allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big projects deemed to be in the national interest by sidestepping existing laws, while Ontario's Bill 5 allows its cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws through the creation of so-called 'special economic zones.' Nine Ontario First Nations have filed a court challenge to the laws. Carney hosted a meeting with hundreds of First Nations chiefs last week and while some chiefs walked out saying they saw an insufficient response to concerns they'd been raising for weeks, others left the meeting 'cautiously optimistic.' Smith said the lengthy regulatory approval process for pipelines and mineral extraction has been a problem and she believes governments can shorten that time frame while also consulting with First Nations. 'I think in this new world that we're in, we have to figure out a way to get to 'yes' faster. It doesn't mean that there isn't a robust consultation that has to happen, but it has to happen in a time frame where a proponent is going to know that the answer is yes and how we get there,' she said. Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has asked the prime minister and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to formally include First Nations' regional representation at Tuesday's meeting with the premiers and Carney. 'These discussions can't happen without us. First Nations aren't just affected by international trade decisions, they are directly involved in the regions, the economies, and the lands these decisions will touch,' Wilson said in a statement. 'We are governing nations with existing mandates and responsibilities. Ignoring that weakens the response and risks repeating the same mistakes we've seen for decades.' Ford has said that over the course of their meeting this week, the premiers will also talk about emergency management, energy security, sovereignty and national security, health and public safety. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025. -with files from Alessia Passafiume in Ottawa
