Leading in the wrong direction

The need for insightful leadership at the Manitoba Métis Federation

Jacques Marcoux, Volunteer Staff

Without even being aware of it, David Chartrand is doing more harm than good to the Métis people of Manitoba.

Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) for over 10 years, has been at the helm of a court battle that has been quietly disputed in the lower courts for over 26 years. Launched in 1981, the lawsuit argued that the original Métis settlers in the Red River Valley were unjustly stripped of their land by the government of the time despite the provisions in the 1870 Manitoba Act that allegedly guaranteed them ownership of their land. The ruling by Justice Minister Alan MacInnes this past December dismissed their claim, citing insufficient evidence to support the Métis’ arguments. The MMF has acknowledged their intent to appeal to the higher courts but is unlikely to receive a favourable judgment.

The worst possible outcome for both the Canadian Federal government and the MMF would be for the Métis leaders to win this battle in court and receive a large monetary settlement.

The worst possible outcome for both the Canadian Federal government and the MMF would be for the Métis leaders to win this battle in court and receive a large monetary settlement. Should the MMF win this court case, they would be compensated for the present value of the 1.4 million acres of land, which includes Winnipeg in its entirety — a settlement worth potentially billions of dollars. However, and thankfully, it is very unlikely the courts will grant them any retribution, as there exist far too many ambiguities concerning who should be compensated, whether or not the government can be held liable, and the accuracy of the documented history of the events.

Why would a victory be such a devastating blow to the Métis population? Because yet another government settlement only perpetuates the vicious cycle of dependency that is destroying aboriginal communities across the nation. Over a hundred years ago, no one could have guessed how much damage legislation such as the Indian Act would have on aboriginals over the next century. Today, a few leaders of the many aboriginal communities are finally beginning to speak out about the importance of economic and social sustainability. But unfortunately, there are many forces within those very communities countering every such efforts made. Aboriginal communities don’t need hand-outs; they need a hand up.

When compared to their status Indian counterparts, the reason that the Métis have been a strong and prosperous people with such prominent leaders is a result of their economical autonomy and self-sufficient lifestyles, basically living without significant constitutional privileges. Influential Métis like Yvon Dumont, former Lt.-Gov. of Manitoba and Todd Ducharme, a judge of the Ontario Supreme Court, would not have become leaders if this were not the case. Yet Chartrand, as the leader of the MMF, is continually battling to bring the Métis rights closer in line with the rights of status Indians — under the guise of strong leadership.

The MMF leaders have historically voiced concerns for their “rights”; their rights to harvest game without permits and out of season, their rights to land claims, and their nationalist rights to self-governance. The governing bodies of the MMF relentlessly villainize the federal government in all their communications with their members, blinding them from the true underlying issues.

Who knows if the MMF has a valid argument with respect to land claims and harvesting game? The fact of the matter is that the legitimacy of the lawsuits is irrelevant to what the MMF is trying to accomplish. Although they might believe that in doing so they are empowering their people, they are actually doing just the opposite. These ongoing court battles are not about giving rise to a proud people, it is about bringing the federal government to its knees and bringing the MMF one step closer towards the same constitutional rights of status Indians — the same rights that have lead the majority of Canada’s aboriginal community into a social and economical downward spiral.

The MMF is in dire need of strong leadership; that is, leadership that will realize the importance of moving away from sentiments of entitlement; leadership that finally puts the past behind them — and leadership that instead encourage and inspire the Métis people to continue living a life of autonomy and independence.

Jacques Marcoux is a commerce graduate.