Métis National Council delays presidential vote again after B.C. member walks out

The fractured Métis National Council (MNC) delayed its presidential election for the second time in about a month on Thursday, after the council's British Columbia affiliate walked out and refused to take part in the vote.

The Métis Nation B.C. (MNBC) announced the move late Wednesday, dealing another blow to the leaderless national council during its annual general assembly in Edmonton.

The group's decision to withdraw from the meeting follows the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan's split from the national council altogether in September.

The B.C. group was dissatisfied by the talks on day one when the council's governing members sat down to discuss B.C.'s future role in the organization's voting structure, said MNBC President Walter Mineault.

"The discussion did not go in the direction that we felt was necessary for MNBC to be sitting at that table," he said.

Former MNC president Cassidy Caron said there was consensus among the different governments when she left her position with the council last month, and that the frustrations of the MNBC came as a surprise. 

"For me as a past president … there's strength in unity, it's always important to be working together, we are one Métis nation," said Caron. 

"It was unfortunate to see the walkout of Métis Nation of British Columbia." 

CBC Indigenous learned of the meeting after receiving a tip on Wednesday that said the council was holding its assembly and election in secret at the Delta Hotels Edmonton Centre Suites, without providing a public notice nor disclosing it to Métis citizens.

Caron rejected the allegation, saying people were notified and council governing members and delegates were invited as normal, a process they agreed to unanimously when she was still president.

"It's not a secret meeting whatsoever," said Caron.

"Our governing members were notified and that's the process that we go about." 

In an unsigned statement issued Thursday, the council said more time is needed to discuss the reformed organization's future.

"While these conversations continue, the annual general assembly and the election of a new president has been delayed allowing for more space to have those important dialogues," the statement said.

"The need for a strong national voice, collaborative engagement, and respectful dialogue between all Métis has not and will not change."

From 5 members to 3

The formerly five-member national council is now down to three. It was founded in 1983 by Métis political associations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, with Ontario and British Columbia joining later.

The Manitoba Métis Federation withdrew in 2021, citing an ongoing controversy over the disputed identity of six asserted Métis communities in Ontario. With Saskatchewan gone, the only remaining founding member is Alberta. 

In a written statement, Mineault said "the governance structure that remains is inequitable" following Saskatchewan's withdrawal. 

He told CBC Indigenous the voting system, in which the founders have more voting power than B.C. and Ontario, was more fair when all the governing members were at the table.

"But right now the way it's structured, one province can pretty well set the pace and the direction of MNC," he said, referring to Alberta's Otipemisiwak Métis Government (OMG).

Caron said the governments remain in talks about how to reform their election rules. 

"There's reform processes that are in place and our governing members are talking between and amongst themselves to sort out when and how … to move forward as the national voice for the Métis Nation," said Caron. 

In a statement, OMG said it is committed to fundamental reform at the national council but that its elected citizens' council "expects the OMG's status as a founding member of the MNC to be respected during the reform discussions."

"Our top priority will always be our Métis citizens in Alberta," the group said, adding that it is prepared to work with fellow governing members on reform.

MNBC to consult on future

MNBC remains part of the council, though the group's future with MNC is uncertain and will be decided after consultation with community leaders in November, Mineault said.

Caron said that despite the current fighting, the council is open to any government that wants to return. 

"There's always going to be that place at the table for them when they want to come back," said Caron. 

"The grandmothers, and our elders, and our youth want to see one strong, unified Métis nation." 

The original election was scheduled for Sept. 26 but was postponed after Saskatchewan cut ties. Caron's term ended in September, leaving the council without an elected leader.

The Manitoba federation has maintained the council is now defunct, since its bylaws say two founders and the president must be present to hold a board meeting, an assertion Mineault declined to comment on.

In September, Caron said the election was supposed to happen no later than Nov. 14.