Latest news with #SherryMcLennan
CTV News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Sask. Métis representatives denied entry to swearing-in ceremony
Re-elected members of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan Provincial Council were turned away from Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony. The representatives were suspended from duty in a move some citizens are calling undemocratic. 'Corruption is screaming as loud as it can,' said one Métis citizen. Western Region 2 regional director Sherry McLennan and Western Region 3 regional director Wendy Gervais were denied entry to the June 24 swearing-in ceremony. The council members are calling for answers from leadership regarding the suspension of the two regional directors. A statement from Métis Nation Saskatchewan says the council members had violated the respectful workplace policy and questioned CEO Richard Quintal's Métis heritage on a public forum in November 2024. 'This came after an investigation that we maintained was procedurally flawed and conducted without our participation,' said McLennan. The two representatives were told to apologize to Quintal before they could resume their duties. Métis citizens in attendance at McLennan and Gervais' June 26 press conference were not happy with the nation. 'When we send our delegate, the person that we allow to go in and support us and ask those questions we need to, and to have something like this done to our delegate is absolutely wrong,' aid one of the attendees following the press conference. 'Thinking about what type of precedent we're setting,' said another attendee. 'How are we respecting processes, and what do these legislations and constitutions mean if we don't follow them?' 'There is absolutely no reason for our representatives not to be at that table if they were voted in,' another Métis citizen told CTV. 'It's called democracy.' McLennan and Gervais maintain this course of action by Métis Nation Saskatchewan does not line up with its constitution. 'The Michif way is about coming to the table,' said Gervais. 'It's about having those good debates, you know, having those discussions because that's how we grow. It's not about coming to the table and everybody putting their hand up in agreement, even though they're not agreeing to what's going on.' CTV News reached out to Métis Nation Saskatchewan, but the involved parties were unavailable for an interview.
CBC
11 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Suspended regional directors defiant in fight against Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
A pair of suspended Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) regional directors are not backing down from their fight with the organization. On Tuesday, Sherry McLennan and Wendy Gervais were barred from the room at the Dakota Dunes conference centre south of Saskatoon where newly elected members of the MN-S government were being sworn in. They arrived to find the agenda already listed them as "not in attendance." The two regional directors were both re-elected in the MN-S election on May 24 — McLennan in Western Region 2 and Gervais in Western Region 3. McLennan and Gervais were barred from attending meetings of the Provincial Métis Council (PMC) after a harassment complaint against them and two other people. The two regional directors said they are limited in what they can publicly share about the process, but that they didn't receive due process and the PMC has no right to bar them from their governance roles. "The constitution of the Métis-Nation Saskatchewan is very clear," Gervais said Thursday, standing beside McLennan at a news conference in Prince Albert that was packed with about 100 supporters. "Regional representatives hold constitutionally protected roles, and there is no mechanism that allows for our removal without due process. "Further, as our legal counsel has noted, any attempt to remove us must originate from the citizens of our regions, not from political actors behind closed doors." MN-S responded with a statement. "The complaint was the culmination of the ongoing harassment of the PMC's sole employee, MN–S Chief Executive Officer Richard Quintal, by McLennan, Gervais, and two other previously elected individuals," the statement said. "In response to the CEO's complaint, the four individuals filed counter complaints against the CEO." MN-S said an investigation into the complaints sided with Quintal and that his human rights had been violated. The investigator also said the four counter-claims were unfounded and "they will not be permitted to attend any PMC meetings until such apology is provided." At the time, McLennan, Gervais and the other two people accused of harassment said in a statement that they were "unilaterally sanctioned" and that the harassment investigation was "improperly conducted." On Thursday, McLennan laid some actions they want MN-S leadership to commit to: Acknowledge procedural failings in the handling of the complaint. Commit to an approach that respects the rights and dignity of all complainants, especially women. Ensure that the harassment complaints are taking seriously and reinvestigated through a fair, independent and respectful process. Guarantee that all future investigations adhere strictly to the policy, including mutual agreement on a third-party investigator and timelines that allow for safe and supported participation. Reaffirm a commitment to the safety and inclusion of Métis women within all levels of the MN-S. Restore McLennan and Gervais's seats at the table immediately and allow them to take their oaths of office. Gervais said this controversy is bigger than the suspension. "This is about the integrity of our governance, about the right of elected representatives to do their job they were chosen to do, about ensuring that Métis women are no longer silenced for speaking up, and that internal grievances, however valid they are, are handled through fair and culturally respectful processes, not through political punishment." McLennan said the suspensions are an attempt to stifle their voices. "I believe my voice has been shut out because I'm a woman and I really support my Western Region 2 and I bring their voices to the table," McLennan said. The MN-S response statement said the sanctions against the women will remain in effect until they publicly apologize. MN–S president Glen McCallum said it is a human rights issue. "One of our staff was harassed in a very public forum and our government prides itself on being able to provide a safe work environment, free of that kind of treatment by elected [officials] or otherwise, and have taken the necessary steps to address the situation," he said.
