SASKATOON — Métis Nation-Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum says he is looking forward to working more closely with their elected leaders to benefit citizens as the two-day legislative assembly ended on Sunday at the World Trade Hall C in Prairieland Park.
“We thank our friends and dignitaries for attending and welcoming our assembly members. Their supportive remarks are evidence of our government continuing to develop relationships and partnerships that are important to our success. We also thank our Elders for joining the assembly to guide and support our elected with their experience and knowledge,” said McCallum in a statement.
“What I expect for the assembly, the elected body of the people, is that we continue to be on the same page. So far, we’re doing great and we’re continuing to improve as we move along. I would like to see more co-operation from the government and the media to tell our stories,” he added as he also thanked the media for helping inform the people.
“I have always said in my interviews that in order for us to have a good community, we have to work together. In order to have a good province, we have to work together. To have a good Canada, everybody needs to be on the same page. And I believe that we are moving in that direction.”
He said they have come a long way in reaping the gains that their citizens had worked on as many changes were achieved.
“If you look back on the history of the Métis Nation, where we have been in the past years, our funding was cut at one time, there was turmoil within our nation. But not anymore. In the last five years, we’ve moved quickly,” said McCallum.
“To be able to have the federal and provincial government, industry and institutions respond to the changes that we’ve made with the Métis nation, the relationship that we had with the federal government and the different ministries, regarding the outcomes, shows.”
More than 100 members of the Legislative body attended the two-day spring conference where they discussed business and policies that would affect all Métis citizens in the province.
The MNLA report highlighted programs on medical transportation, housing and Indigenous language. Their registry has also reached 22,000 citizens with more applications for Métis citizenship being processed.
They also presented financial and legal updates with a focus on the legal progress made toward self-government and land claims while launching community engagements on constitutional reform and establishing an independent Métis judicial tribunal.
The 50th Back to Batoche festival will also return for an in-person celebration set from July 21 to 24.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Third Vice-Chief Aly Bear, Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand, Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron, Little Pine First Nation Elder Wayne Semaganis, Melfort MLA Todd Goudy and Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark were the dignitaries who joined in the assembly.
