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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

'inherent rights'

New Red Deer Métis District 3 rep talks Bill C-53 after swearing in of Otipemisiwak Métis Government

Oct 21, 2023 | 12:12 PM

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government held its inaugural swearing-in earlier this month, and it’s full steam ahead on getting Bill C-53 passed into law.

Known until now as the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA), the government is led by President Andrea Sandmaier, who recently took the oath of office before hundreds of Métis citizens.

This was officially the largest leadership vote in the history of the MNA, with the election taking place in September. It was last November when the MNA ratified its new constitution, paving the way for the new government.

But it also comes not long after Bill C-53 – the Recognition of Certain Métis Governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and Métis Self-Government Act – was introduced by the Government of Canada in the House of Commons on June 21, 2023. The MNA is calling on parliamentarians to ensure its swift passage.

“The swearing-in of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is a monumental milestone in our continued journey to Métis self-government. My colleagues and I are committed to working hard for our fellow citizens to advance the interests of Métis Nation citizens within Alberta and push Métis self-governance across the finish line,” says Sandmaier.

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“I am [also] incredibly honoured to appoint the first Cabinet of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. Together, we will be a government that advocates for all citizens of the Métis Nation within Alberta while reflecting our values and traditions, exercising our inherent and constitutionally protected Métis rights, supporting our Citizens and communities and preserving and enriching our language, culture, and way of life.”

Sandmaier says she won’t rest until Bill C-53 is law.

The same can be said for the man representing Red Deer Métis District 3, Joe Chodzicki.

Chodzicki will serve in the inaugural cabinet as Secretary of Citizenship and Registry.

“The Métis people have been here hundreds of years, and in 1982 we were slotted into the constitution. Up until that point, we’d pretty much been ignored by the government. How we operate is about to change,” he says, referring to when the Canadian Constitution, in 1982, recognized the rights of First Nations, Métis and Inuit under section 35 (2).

“It will be a great honour when that happens because we will be getting our inherent rights. Our focus, my focus is on getting this bill passed. I’m a very proud Métis man, and parliamentarians need to pass this bill so we can then work on other stuff.”

Chodzicki explains Bill C-53, introduced by Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree, is effectively a modern-day treaty.

According to Canada.ca, the proposed legislation is, ‘An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments, and to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.’

The bill currently awaits third reading by the House of Commons, and is under review by the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

“This will put us on equal footing with First Nations and Inuit people,” Chodzicki adds. “For my new roles, I’m very honoured and humbled to be in them, and that people saw fit to put me into them. This government is a great step for us as Native people to move forward.”

Also in the government’s provincial office are Tai Amy Grauman as Women’s Representative, and Rebecca Rae Lavallee as Youth Representative.

Citizen representatives around the province are:

Darryl Wesley Campbell, Citizens’ Representative, Foothills Métis District 1
Catherine Schnell, Citizens’ Representative, Medicine Hat Métis District 2
Joseph (Joe) Brad Chodzicki, Citizens’ Representative, Red Deer Métis District 3
Lisa San Filippo, Citizens’ Representative, Rocky View Métis District 4
Nelson Anthony Lussier, Citizens’ Representative, Calgary Nose Hill Métis District 5
Jason Chernow, Citizens’ Representative, Calgary Elbow Métis District 6
Kaila Mitchell, Citizens’ Representative, Jasper House Métis District 7
Lisa Wolfe, Citizens’ Representative, Lac Ste. Anne Métis District 8
Sarah Wolfe, Citizens’ Representative, Fort Edmonton Métis District 9
Aurora (Aura) Leddy, Citizens’ Representative, Edmonton Whitemud Métis District 10
Alfred L’Hirondelle, Citizens’ Representative, St. Albert Métis District 11
Karen (KC) Collins, Citizens’ Representative, St. Paul-Cold Lake Métis District 12
Shannon Dunfield, Citizens’ Representative, Grande Prairie Métis District 13
Barry Allan Dibb, Citizens’ Representative, Peace River Métis District 14
Bobbi Faye Paul-Alook, Citizens’ Representative, Fort Vermilion Métis District 15
Judy Ann Cardinal, Citizens’ Representative, Fort Chipewyan Métis District 16
Brooke Bramfield, Citizens’ Representative, Fort McMurray Métis District 17
Valerie Anne Quintal, Citizens’ Representative, Conklin Métis District 18
Charles Reinhart (Jason) Ekeberg, Citizens’ Representative, Lac La Biche Métis District 19
Noel Joseph Tremblay, Citizens’ Representative, Athabasca Landing Métis District 20
Nolan Grant Lacombe, Citizens’ Representative, Lesser Slave Lake Métis District 21
Nancy Margaret Cardinal, Citizens’ Representative, Wabasca-Desmarais Métis istrict 22

District Captains

Amber Boyd, District Captain, Rocky View Métis District 4
Carmen Lasante, District Captain, Calgary Elbow Métis District 6
Bernard (Bernie) Poitras, District Captain, St. Paul-Cold Lake Métis District 12
Brian Ladouceur, District Captain, Athabasca Landing Métis District 20
Regan Auger, District Captain, Wabasca-Desmarais Métis District 22

With representatives sworn in, the first meeting of the Citizens’ Council was held October 16 in Edmonton.

The government says it will work with Ottawa on many items, including a new fiscal relationship with Canada to finally provide Métis-designed supports to Métis citizens in health, housing, language, education, training, economic development, and justice.

As well, it will look to improve the services provided to Métis Citizens in Alberta such as support for those living with disabilities, delivering culturally-appropriate child and family services, mental health supports, and care for Métis elders.