Manitoba Métis Federation

Thr Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is a federally recognised Métis government. Its current president is David Chartrand. As of 2023 the MMF had 47,000 Members. Since 2022, Métis living outside of Manitoba have been invited by the Manitoba Métis Federation to become citizens of the MMF.

In September 2019, the MMF began the process of leaving the Métis National Council (MNC). It said its primary reason for withdrawal was that the historic communities composing the Métis Nation of Ontario lack connection to the Red River Métis. This withdrawal from the MNC was completed in September 2021.

In 2024, The Manitoba Métis Federation became the first modern Métis government to sign a treaty with the federal government.

History

In 1967, the MMF was incorporated to protect the rights and interests of Red River Métis. Its founders included George Fleury, Joseph Angus Spence, and its first president, Adam Cuthand.

In 1985, the MMF appointed a working group to study the possibility of creating an independent educational institute. In 1987, an agreement was reached with the Government of Manitoba and it was decided that the organization would be established immediately and named the Louis Riel Institute.

Leadership

The first non-elected Board of Directors was composed of Adam Cuthand, Joe Keeper, and Alfred Disbrowe.

The successive presidents of the MMF have been the following:

Activities

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MMF received a $460,200 grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada's Immunization Partnership Fund to increase acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among Métis citizens in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Métis Federation runs a community based climate monitoring program. This initiative documents and helps to understand the changes in climate within its traditional territory; the MMF Weather Keepers initiative is part of this program.

The MMF, via the Louis Riel Institute, provides a variety of bursaries and awards to Métis students who are citizens of the MMF to help ease the costs of post-secondary studies.

References

Further reading

• Barkwell, Lawrence J., Leah Dorion, and Audreen Hourie. Métis legacy Michif culture, heritage, and folkways. Métis legacy series, v. 2. Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2006.
• Barkwell, Lawrence J., Leah Dorion and Darren Prefontaine. "Metis Legacy: A Historiography and Annotated Bibliography". Winnipeg: Pemmican Publications Inc. and Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2001.
• Chartrand, Paul L. A. H. Manitoba's Métis Settlement Scheme of 1870. Saskatoon: Native Law Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 1991.
• Flanagan, Thomas. Metis Lands in Manitoba. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 1991.
• McFee, Janice. Famous Manitoba Métis. Winnipeg: Manitoba Métis Federation Press, 1974.
• Morrison, Sheila Jones. Rotten to the Core The Politics of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Victoria, B.C.: 101060, 1995.
• Pelletier, E. A Social History of the Manitoba Métis. Winnipeg: Manitoba Métis Federation Press, 1977.
• Sawchuk, Joe. The Metis of Manitoba Reformulation of an Ethnic Identity. Toronto: P. Martin Associates, 1978.
• Sealey, D. Bruce. Statutory Land Rights of the Manitoba Metis. Winnipeg, Man: Manitoba Métis Federation Press, 1975.
• Sealey, D. Bruce. Education of the Manitoba Metis An Historical Sketch. Winnipeg: Dept. of Education, Native Education Branch, 1977.
• St-Onge, Nicole J. M. Saint-Laurent, Manitoba Evolving Métis Identities, 1850-1914. Canadian plains studies, 45. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, 2004.