40% MAY BE REMOVED FROM MNO REGISTRY
Say NO to Resolutions 1, 2 & 3
The MNO has just issued a Backgrounder to Proposed Special Resolutions #1-3. The PCMNO has directed the Registry to assess MNO citizenship files based on unauthorized criteria and then issue new cards to only those who meet those new requirements.
“Files that are determined to meet the current requirements for MNO citizenship, including, an identification of whether these individuals ancestrally connect to one of the identified sevenhistoric Métis communities in Ontario or the Métis Nation in western Canada (i.e., through Métis scrip, land grants, etc.) will be issued a new MNO citizenship card (emphasis added)”
The MNO Backgrounder reports that only 60.5% of the files are “complete” according to the above requirements. Unless those whose files are incomplete can find documentation to meet the above-unauthorized criteria, those citizens will not be issued new MNO citizenship card. In other words, their names will be expunged from the Registry.
Special Resolutions #2 & #3 are directed specifically to “Appointed MNO Officials” and current elected MNO officials. They would apply to the PCMNO, MNO Community Councils, MNO Youth Council, MNO Women’s Council, MNO Veterans Council and “appointed officials”. There are 286 elected and appointed officials. One hundred do not have complete files! By this fall, according the PCMNO policy, if their files are not “complete” they will be removed from office.
It is wrong to be removing citizens from our Registry or from office without just cause. I was speaking to a lawyer recently who said that the law does not easily condone the destruction of vested rights. This is a fundamental precept that promotes social harmony by supporting the interests of those who have held rights openly for a long time without objection.
What the PCMNO is proposing will be tearing us apart. It will cause considerable anguish, stress and perhaps even lead to physical pain.
The MNO Statement of Prime Purpose declares:
“We are a Nation, born of independence, and self-sufficiency whose teachings are founded on the values of honesty and truth. We are proud of our rich heritage. We are inspired by the values and traditions of our ancestors. The strength of our society is based on democracy, freedom, fairness, equality, generosity, justice and the customary and written law of our people. Above all, we cherish harmony and peace.”
There is no honour in what the PCMNO is proposing. It proposes to repeat what governments have done to us repeatedly in the past. Resolutions # 1 – 3 must be defeated.
Tony Belcourt
August 15, 2018
I hope your passion for what is right will encourage others to fight like lions
ReplyDeletePosted on behalf of Denis Trembly who requested that I do this for him: Hello Mr Balcour.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned earlier my citizenship is being challenge.
My son Jamie Tremblay is in the Military and having spent 18 months in Afghanistan and 18 months in South Africa. He was awarded the Louis Riel Medal after he was scrutinize twice to make sure he qualified as a Metis.
If i lose my citizenship he will lose his.
This is not rite.
Also my other son, after the M.N.O. Sponsored him for 2 years of school to become a certified Social Worker. He found employment with the M.n.o.
Will he lose his job
I worry as a family we gave a lot for ower culture.
Regards Denis Tremblay
We are beyond getting things shoved down our throats. Governments have never given us and First Nations a say in their proposals. Now, we are getting it directly from our PCMNO. Perhaps it is time to re-elect new faces who will look after our Community interests adequately. These 3 resolutions are creating anxiety for many Métis Citizens. Instead of pushing these unfair resolutions for adoption, PCMNO should rather find a way to help those Citizens who lack genealogical data so they can remain happily in our great Family.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things I would like to address with this post. First marsi Tony for your leadership and dedication to our people. Second with a lawyer as President of the MNO I expect and demand our PCMNO and our administration act in a way that is beyond reproach. I have many questions that need answers. Why do we have citizens without complete files? Why are citizens that have gone to the time, trouble and expense of completing their files being placed in the position of denying citizenship to those who have not met criteria. How were they even granted citizenship? In regards to the Quebec lineage denial, I do not agree that as Indigenous people we should be recognizing colonial boundaries, particularly when the genealogical timeline predates the establishment of the Dominion of Canada. This pain and anguish has been dragged around our community for far too long. So much fighting and cruelty directed at one another. We are the answer to the prayers of our ancestors, we need to start acting in a way that would make them proud. We should not be dictated to by the Dominion of Canada, the MNC or if found to be unfit dictated to by the PCMNO. United we stand, divided we fail our ancestors and our future generations.
ReplyDelete