Métis

Highlights on Progress

Over 60,000 Métis people call British Columbia home.

In May 2006, the Province and Métis Nation BC signed the Métis Nation Relationship Accord with a mandate to develop and enhance opportunities for the Métis community by implementing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services.

The Accord provides a collaborative planning platform for Métis people to work in partnership with the Province of British Columbia to address a variety of social and economic issues. The Province provides annual funding to MNBC to support self-governance, organizational capacity and youth engagement.

Recent successes:

Supported Métis Nation BC on implementing the Grade 4 Métis Cross-Curricular Unit in B.C. elementary schools to reinforce and regenerate Métis identity culture and history in the classroom.
Encouraging Aboriginal students to start, stay in and succeed in post-secondary education, through programs including new courses and curriculum, events, student services and culturally welcoming Gathering Places on public institution campuses.
Supported the Métis Service and Employment Centre to expand their Culinary Hospitality Opportunities Program.
Supported school districts and Aboriginal communities as they created, signed and implemented additional Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements around the province, for a total of 50 out of 60 school districts.
The Edward Curtis Project, a theatrical performance written by Métis playwright Marie Clements, was a Cultural Olympiad feature with funding from the Partners in Creative Development grant program.
Provided housing and supports to more than 480 homeless Aboriginal people, including Métis people, through the Aboriginal Homeless Outreach Program
Supporting Aboriginal communities to design and develop their own culturally-based approaches for the care and protection of their children and families.
More than 239 Aboriginal people received trades training as part of a Canada/BC Labour Market Agreement.

Success Stories

Métis Women’s Health

Victoria Pruden, the Director of Women for Métis Nation B.C., sees the value of signatures. When the Province of British Columbia and the Métis Nation BC signed the Métis Nation Relationship Accord in May 2006, Pruden says it made an immediate impact on the Nation’s ability to do its work.

“The Accord is allowing us to set benchmarks for Métis-specific data, and we really need that,” she said. “One of the gaps we experience as Métis is higher prenatal alcohol consumption and tobacco use among Métis women than non-Aboriginal women. The financial support that’s flowing through the accord is assisting us with an opportunity to do focus groups with Métis women across B.C. to determine what kind of information products we can use to support Métis maternal health.”

Pruden is also working with the Ministry of Community Services on issues around women and girls who experience violence. “There is very little Métis-specific work being done in the area of violence against Métis women and girls. Their experience may be very different than First Nations women living on reserves, for example. The more we can document the information and come together as a community, the more we can help women and girls who have experienced trauma.”

A third health initiative is a Métis-specific ActNow B.C project to develop active living programs with a traditional Métis approach. Pruden says she has seen a tremendous change in the relationship between the provincial government and the Métis since 2005. “It is very positive. It has moved forward, and we are finding ourselves in a place of acceptance and mutual respect, much more than ever before. We’re also seeing that ripple out into other government departments, which are now recognizing us and saying that the Métis Nation Relationship Accord really means something.”

Province and Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective Sign a Memorandum of Understanding

A unique Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that reinforces the importance of Aboriginal youth input into provincial policy and program development on issues that matter to Aboriginal youth and communities has been signed between the Province and the Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective (UAYC). UAYC signatories include the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres-Provincial Aboriginal Youth Council, the Métis Youth of British Columbia-Métis Nation British Columbia, and the Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association.

Stephanie Albiston, Minister of Youth, Métis Nation BC believes that “by working together as an inclusive Aboriginal collective, we have achieved something very special. With this agreement we are promoting and demonstrating a true Aboriginal youth voice while building a positive relationship with the Province based on respect; an agreement and a collective that I believe is the first of its kind.”

Aboriginal youth are recognized as essential participants in the growing partnerships between the Province and Aboriginal people and they have spoken publicly about the value of this new relationship. Ken Watts, youth representative of the BC Assembly of First Nations says “this MOU would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of many people. Past Unified Aboriginal Youth Collective youth leaders have laid the foundation for where we are today.

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Aboriginal organizations, community leaders and Aboriginal youth from across the province have supported us from day one.” Aboriginal youth, through their representative UAYC organizations, now have a greater ability to provide input on issues that matter to Aboriginal youth and their communities. “Signing this MOU is a critical step to unify, formalize and move forward British Columbia’s commitment, starting at the highest level, to build stronger relationships based on recognition of past injustice and respect for the diversity of our nations,” says Jerilynn Webster, Executive Director, Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association.

The UAYC demonstrates youth leadership in action and works with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation to facilitate the voice of Aboriginal youth in areas that affect them to create a brighter future for youth from all communities.

Bladerunners Program delivered by Métis Nation British Columbia

Jody – Fraser Valley
Jody entered Fraser Valley BladeRunners in 2010 at age 22. At the time he had already completed an addictions recovery program. He began attending the Fraser Valley BladeRunners program as part of the action plan. Jody completed his safety training modules including forklift certification and is one course away from completing grade twelve. He is employed fulltime as a forklift operator for $12 an hour. Jody feels positive about life and the choices he makes and is proud of his accomplishments and of completing the BladeRunners program.

Josh – Fraser Valley
Josh is 17 years old. He lost his job when the company that he was working for burnt to the ground. At that point, he found himself out of work and unable to find work. He had grown depressed and was not looking forward to the future in regards to his situation; he joined the BladeRunners program having heard that it was the place to go for help. He completed all the modules, had 100% attendance and after graduating he obtained a construction position at $14 an hour at 50 hours a week because he had his first aid certificate and has been moving forward ever since.

Daniel – Prince George
Daniel is 20 years old. He came to our program in February 2010 unsure of what he wanted out of life. Lack of training and goals made life difficult for Daniel as he felt he lacked direction. During the course of the program Daniel decided that forestry and fisheries were his chief interest. Fortunately Daniel was able to secure a position as a student within the Natural Resources Environmental Studies Program. He enjoys the program immensely and pops in to visit whenever his schedule allows.
“Excellent program! I loved it.”

Jesse – Prince George
Jesse, age 24 became a BladeRunner in February 2010. After completion of our course Jesse successfully completed a Level 3 First Aid course. With tickets secured he went to the Fraser Valley and acquired employment in construction. Youth, curiosity and wanderlust soon took Jesse to Alberta to work. Unfortunately on a return trip to Prince George Jesse was involved in a car accident which broke his arm. “Jesse’s attitude and personal strengths are commendable and he will do well in whatever endeavour or career he chooses! Good work Jesse!”
“BladeRunners is a great program that allows individuals the opportunity to get training that will allow them to get better jobs or start a career.”