Metis News and Stuff: October 2007

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween !!

Have a safe and enjoyable witches day !!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Metis Leaders Descend On Ottawa

Halloween seems to be the appropriate time for what could turn out to be a nightmare of a meeting.

Tomorrow afternoon

in the nation's capital, four governing members of provincial Metis political organizations, including Ontario leader Tony Belcourt, B.C President Bruce Dumont, President, Audrey Poitras of Alberta and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan President, Robert Doucette, will be meeting on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 with officials and with Rod Bruinooge, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Interlocutor for Métis. The four governing members have also invited President of the Manitoba Métis Federation, David Chartrand, to attend the meetings.

I have spoke to a couple of the principles involved in this national debate.

Manitoba leader David Chartrand called to express his deep concern at the turn of events at the MNC, and stated among other things, that it still is not entirely clear as to why the other leaders wanted MNC President Clem Chartier out of office. He is adamant that his position and democracy will prevail in the coming weeks, thus far the courts have sided with the Chartrand/Chartier combo.

I was then able to contact Marilyn, who said she was Audrey Poitras' assistant, from Metis Nation of Alberta. She gave all indications that the Alberta contingent is sticking by their guns in their debate against Chartrand/Chartier. Marilyn also seemed very confidant with the arguments that will be put forth by the four leaders.

I didn't get the sense that much would be accomplished anytime soon in regards to the MNC debacle. but contrary to President Chartrand's address on the Metis Hour last weekend, the CEO of the Metis corporation stated that he would indeed be in attendance at the meeting tomorrow......by conference call. The Alberta rep seemed surprised when I told her of Chartrand's planned call.

In conversing with the two I also noticed a very strong "will to win" in their respective cases.

A major sticking point that frustrated the MNC meeting, was "who could be a delegate".

During my conversations with Chartrand and Marilyn, they both stated that delegate selection was not always written in stone and that the delegate selection had changed depending on circumstances. The delegate selection was not a big topic then, according to Marilyn.

Tony Belcourt also wants more voting delegates from Ontario.

Ontario and BC only have five votes at the national level, while Manitoba, B.C. and Alberta take fifteen votes to the table.

Don't expect that argument to end soon.

Metis Leader Belcourt Praises "Exceptional Move"

TORONTO, Oct. 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Métis Nation of Ontario welcomes the news that Michael Bryant will be appointed Ontario's first stand-alone Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The confirmation of this ap

pointment is expected at the Swearing-In of the new Ontario Cabinet this afternoon inToronto. "I consider this appointment a exceptional move on the part of Premier Dalton McGuinty," said Métis Nation of Ontario President, Tony Belcourt.

"Mr.Bryant is exactly the kind of person we hoped would be appointed to this position - a person who knows our issues, who is sensitive to them and who has the kind of political currency needed in order to advance our issues at the Cabinet table."

"We also commend Premier McGuinty for his insight and leadership in taking this bold step to appoint a stand-alone Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. We are confident of the benefits this will bring to all of Ontario, not just Aboriginal peoples," added Belcourt. "We see this development as a shining example for all governments, in how to take a positive and proactive approach to Aboriginal issues, so that our work is focused on cooperative approaches, rather than those which are confrontational. We are very optimistic for the future."

Three Huge Games This Week

Two unbeaten teams in the NFL go head to head on Sunday. New England takes on The Colts in the biggest game of the NFL season, thus far. I have been watching as New England quarterback Tom Brady

has led the team to a 41.7 points per game average this year, and I'm just thrilled at how the Patriots are again playing together as a real "team".
When Randy Moss falls in line, you know something is going right. Don't expect the Colts to win this weekend as coach Belichick has his team playing in the upper stratosphere.
Everyone has the Pats favoured ; New England Patriots a -5 Road Favorite at Indianapolis , and I have to say the same....Patriots by 9 and Randy gets another TD.
My beloved Winnipeg Blue Bombers are sucking right now ; Blue horror show , and I don't like what the coaches ha

ve been doing with the offense. The Montreal Alouettes are in town this weekend, and thank goodness this game should be a gimme as Montreal QB Anthony Calvillo is still away form team for an indefinite period ; Anthony Calvillo's wife treated for cancer More consistency is needed from the coaching staff's game plan. I believe the Blue and Gold have gotten away from what had brought them the early season success. Charles Roberts, although he is out with an injury this weekend (maybe just a rest), has always got to be the focus of the offense. He is THE playmaker and the man that makes things go for the Bombers...he must be involved or our season will be over after the semi-final.
And finally...as far as Eas

t Kildonan and my family are concerned, this is the game of the week ;
On Halloween night, at CanadInns Stadium, my son Joseph, and the Kildonan East Reivers will take on the St. Pauls Crusaders in the Vidruk Division semi-finals. K.E. will be in tough this weekend as the Crusaders always field a tough team. K.E. has picked up their game recently so the guys are pumped and ready to go.
aaahhhh....Football is a wonderful thing !!
GO REIVERS !!!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Monday Musings

Got the first taste of winter up in Thompson this weekend. Woke up to the snowflakes on Friday morning !! The stuff melted, but was a wake up call to get out the parka on these trips....winter times a comin'........We played at the Trappers tavern. The place was packed, people dancing having fun. We're looking forward to our return in December. A huge thank you on behalf of the band to Mystery Lake G.M. Toby Laviolette and all the staff....ran into a political friend at the club on Saturday and this person asked me why I don't have a CD product for sale ?? I said a fully produced CD costs cash and thats something that is not aplenty with the Chances R band.......lol. went on to mention there are grants available and I said " I don't want nothing from the government to aid a CD recording", in my best rebel voice. The mention of private sponsorships was mentioned and thought that was OK.......Thompson residents I spoke to voiced many concerns about crime in the region. There was a recent home invasion that resulted in a 61 year old mans death, that has seemed to sparked a flame among the Aboriginal people. The man was reportedly shot by the intruders. There is still the unsolved murder of a Thompson cab driver. Good people in this city and they deserve better. The prevalence of illicit drugs were mentioned as the reason for the crime levels in the Nickel city...........So, Indian affairs minster Chuck Strahl has apparently pulled the pin on the Metis National Council ( Ottawa cuts off funding talks with Metis council amid leadership rift ). I don't expect this fight to end soon. MMF CEO David Chartrand has used some very unflattering words to describe the efforts of Alberta Metis leader Audrey Poitras. Knowing Chartrand's history of rule

here in Manitoba, I side with Poitras in this matter. Chartrand or the MMF have never told the listeners to the Metis Hour X two, or the readers of Grassroots news, the full story behind the MNCs meeting that took place a few weeks ago. Here is the take on this issue, from the Metis Nation Of Alberta. link below

Adjournment of MNC Assembly Irresponsible and Undemocratic - »Read Full Article

The four provincial leaders have invited Chartrand to Ottawa to this week, as they meet and then have a sit down with the Federal interlocutor. Chartrand responded to the request on the Metis Hour. He said how can they meet when the courts have stated we can't......or something to that effect. That stance apparently means a big "no" as far Chartrand's pres

ence at this weeks meeting in the nations capital.........manito ahbee is in full swing so be sure to catch some of the shows this week. TheAboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards are scheduled for Friday. I predict Ryan D'Aoust will win the fiddle category...man the kid can play !!! I watched a couple of The Highway 373 performances recently (Ryan plays fiddle, banjo guitar, keyboards and does some vocals for the band ) and came away thoroughly impressed.........my son Joseph Sanderson and his football team the KILDONAN-EAST COLLEGIATE Reivers, are headed to the semi finals this week at the Winnipeg stadium this week, as they continued their season with a 14-4 victory over the Grant Park Pirates. Joe caused two fumbles with his quick tackling and recovered one of them. The second year linebacker also stopped a third and short attempt by the Pirates late in the game to help seal the victory. Good luck this week boys !!!.......my band is looking for a New Years gig (or any gigs). Any interest, send me an e mail....there is a petition that has been started over at http://www.cybersmokeblog.com/ ........read my take on the petition below.........A big "welcome to Winnipeg" from metis News and Stuff to all visitors and entertainers in town for the Manito Ahbee festival. Enjoy our great entertainment venues and restaurants. Make sure to check out Connie's Corner Cafe on Main St..... Aboriginally owned and operated.....Where the heck are the MMF road signs ?? anyone ???

Concerned Taxpayers Petition - Who Is This Group ?

I always check out the various sites that contain issues that surround the Manitoba Metis Federation. Cybersmokeblog, the site that is run by Claire Pieuk, have published a petition that among other things, calls for "Greater financial accountability, public disclosure and transparency for public monies spent be required by the Governments of Canada and Manitoba: Therefore, we request a joint Federal/Provincial forensic audit be undertaken immediately ( Here it is - The Petition! ) ........ Pieuk and others are currently being sued by the Metis advocacy agency for defamation. Much of what is in the petition are related to issues of concern with the MMF. Articles that have been written this site, have consistently called for greater transparency and accountability to its' members....but here's the problem that I have with this petition...who is behind it ? Pieuk is writing that a post office box ( Post Office Box 63Inwood, Manitoba R0C 1P0 ) number is where any off line contact can me made. I know that Inwood is Metis country, but I have a strong hesitancy to support this petition until the "group" makes itself known to all. There must be a strong Metis contingent within this group and they must not stay behind closed doors or P.O box numbers if they wish to gain any credibility.
They won't be sued for simply identifying themselves.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Winnipeg Police, Bars, Manito Ahbee and MNC

I was watching the six o' clock news yesterday I was taken aback when the events manager from the Empire Nightclub, Tina Rosenberg, talked on how the police are somehow at fault for the tragic shootings that occurred in the club Saturday night ;
Winnipeg nightclub personnel blame police for latest shooting.
After the manager spewed her blame game speech, bar patrons then weighed in on the lack of security that the club provides ;
Customers criticize nightclub's security.
There are reports of a high-tech security camera system that wasn't even operational at the time of the shootings !! This lady is sadly mistaken in her naming the police as a reason for the bar violence that has gripped our downtown area recently.
As a former bar manager and currently a part-time musician, I always felt that security has to be one of the most important aspects in the operation of a club. Customers must feel safe and at ease. I don't mean hire 350 lbs behemoths to regulate security, but by merely utilizing the tools that are already out there for the bars, clubs to use. Security wands, walk through metal detectors and I D screening equipment were already in place at The Empire but were not regularly used. I have witnessed this sham of a security process in many bars and the reasoning behind the irregular usage of the security systems seems to be just outright laziness (it takes too much time to ID everyone) to lack of maintenance (wand wasn't working) lax attitude (the bar isn't busy anyways) or it could be as innocent as a new employee not being trained to do his/her job properly. I myself have denied entry to friends of mine who did not have the proper ID to enter the club, its the law here in Manitoba to restrict entry to those without the proper photo ID. Bottom line is the clubs have got to be more vigilant in their security screening of patrons. It is not the job of police to monitor all the bars in the province. The Empire had attempted to hire police for the club, but were denied. I feel this policy is warranted as the police department or it's' officers should never be for sale to private establishments. Shape up Ms. Rosenberg...the job of ensuring your customers safety DOES rest upon the clubs shoulders. Again as a former manager, that is a hard weight to bear when you got 10 gangster types walking in the place. Its' part of the tough job that you have and society doesn't seem to be getting any safer anytime soon, so roll with it...................There are a few clubs in the central area of Winnipeg that seem to be using new security measures....The Canadiana Hotel has hired a private security firm to monitor their door and club. The Westbrook Inn has installed a walk through metal detector and have the use of a wand and four bouncers. The Stock Exchange also does the wand thing and many bouncers. Bars like the Brooklands (no security other than a few cameras), The Woodbine, and a host of others must get on board with newer security initiatives. The customers safety and the bars reputation are at stake when these violent incidents occur.........The Manito Ahbee festival is beginning this weekend, and make sure to get out to catch the new Metis Celebration event scheduled to take place at the Delta Hotel Winnipeg . Should be some great shows performed there.
Sunday, October 28th

Noon: The Gaudry Boys, The Little StompersThe Half Pints
1:30 PM Sierra Noble ,Duck Bay Metis Dancers
3:00 PM Darren Lavallee, Norman Chief Memorial Dancers
4:30 PM Mark Morriseau, Duck Bay Metis Dancers
6:00 PM Jerry Sereda
6:30 PM Terry Ann Strongarm
7:00 PM Lavallee Tradition, The Asham Stompers
8:30 PM Manito Ahbee Jigging Championships
10:00 PM Dance to Lavallee Tradition
Monday, October 29th
5:00 PM Krista Rae
5:45 PM Don Amero
6:45 PM George Anderson
7:30 PM JJ Lavallee
8:15 PM The Asham Stompers
9:00 PM Terry Ann Strongarm
9:30 PM C-Weed
The Metis component should be superb, and kudos to the Manito Ahbee committee for creating this special weekend to highlight the Metis culture with song and dance............I have a report from the Metis National Council meeting that took place a while back, and the report from my contact stated much of what was already reported, with the exception of the the obvious resentment towards the actions of Manitoba Metis Federation CEO, David Chartrand. I tend to agree with this assessment from my contact......."They fought all weekend about who should be allowed to vote at the Assembly. Alberta's constitution allows the President to select the delegates for the MNC Assembly. The Metis people of Alberta are aware of this and this was their choice.
This didn't sit well with David Chartrand, however, as it meant he would not have enough votes to carry his candidate Clem Chartier. I I understand that Audrey Poitras exercised her Presidential Prerogative and brought 7 Board members and 7 Zone executives (similar to Local Execs here). David objected to this and brought forward a motion to remove the Alberta Delegation and put them back with 7 replaced. This was the battle all day yesterday - the motion should have been ruled out of order as the MNC has no right to question a Provincial organizations' constitution - and the co-chairs were completely deadlocked (one being Will Goodon). The motion was allowed to be discussed and of course, the next question would be who gets to vote on this motion. Naturally David tried to insist that no one from Alberta could vote on this motion which would ensure he had enough votes to carry the motion. Dale Leclaire (court appointed guardian of the MNC until a President is elected) was asked to rule on the validity of the motion, and he decided to think about it overnight. This morning he stated that the Alberta Board members could vote on the motion that was to replace the Zone executives with some other Board members from Alberta as they were not the delegates in contention. The battle raged on because now David knew he was certain to lose any vote that might be called - whether on this motion or the actual election. It would appear Dale Leclaire was brought under some pressure by David and crew as he moved to adjourn the meeting about 1:00 Eastern today. Once that was done, the Manitoba delegation left the room and the hotel. Guess they had planes to catch".......and this observation from my contact who is very credible and has had a very long time involvement with the MMF.............."It certainly looks as though the provinces will go their own way and cut their own deals with the Federal Government. And maybe that is for the best, the MNC hasn't really been relevant to the Metis person on the street".
I know the Metis National Council doesn't do much for me, Metis or other Manitobans...just more taxpayer and Metis dollars on useless bureaucracy.......MMF road signs...Where are they ?? I have been driving west and down Highway 6 recently and I have still to see a MMF road sign. St. Laurent doesn't appear to have one yet, nor do any other communities along these highways...what gives ???.......The band (Derryl Sanderson & Chances R), is going up to Thompson this weekend for a visit to the Trappers Tavern, Thurs, Fri and Saturday night performances ( Mystery Lake Motor Hotel, Thompson Hotels : Reviews of Mystery ...) . This show promises to be a lot of fun as we haven't performed in the Nickel City for about three years.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Provincial Court Ruling On Saskatchewan Metis Harvesting Rights

The Metis Nation Saskatchewan is calling for the creation of a provincewide agreement that recognizes and respects Metis harvesting rights.

"It is time fo

r the government of Saskatchewan to sit down and honourably negotiate an agreement with the MNS that recognizes and accommodates Metis harvesting rights throughout the province, rather than continuing to charge and prosecute Metis harvesters at great expense to our people and Saskatchewan taxpayers,'' Metis Nation Saskatchewan president Robert Doucette told reporters on Thursday. "We call upon the leaders of both the NDP and the Saskatchewan Party to make such a commitment to the Metis people during this election campaign.''

The Metis Nation renewed its calls for a provincial agreement following Thursday's decision by Provincial Court Judge Diane Morris which found Donald Belhumeur of Regina not guilty of fishing without a valid licence.

A provincial conservation officer charged Belhumeur in March 2002 for fishing without a licence on Katepwa Lake, which is near the village of Lebret in the Qu'Appelle Valley.

Belhumeur mounted a constitutional challenge, arguing it was not fair that the Metis in the northern half of the province have aboriginal hunting and fishing rights but the Metis in the southern half do not.

Morris ruled that the licensing provision under The Fisheries Act (Saskatchewan) was inapplicable because Belhumeur's rights were protected under the Constitution. As a Metis man, Belhumeur had the right to fish for food for his family throughout the Qu'Appelle Valley and environs, which included the City of Regina, she said.

It is not known at this time whether the ruling will be appealed. A Saskatchewan Environment spokesman said the department needs to review the ruling thoroughly in order to understand any ramifications it might have on department policies.

Is There Anybody Out There ?

Contrary to rumors, the MMF isn't suing me or this site....lol. Computer finally went kaput and the replacemment wasn't high on the financial budget priority scale.
Metis News is back and hope that the readers return to share the news and events that are occurring/upcoming in Metis land.
Thanks to Peter for the great deal on the computer, and enjoy the classic Floyd tune.

Metis News and Stuff