The Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN–S) concluded a productive meeting of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly (MNLA)last weekend. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the MNLA were not able to gather together in person. For the first time, the Métis Nation Government of Saskatchewan held its legislative proceedings by video conference.
The MNLA serves as the governing body of the Métis Nation government across the province. The Assembly brings together democratically elected leaders, including local Presidents and members of the Provincial Métis Council to discuss, debate and advance issues important to the Métis Nation in Saskatchewan.
Resolutions brought forward and carried this weekend included setting the date for the next provincial election of leaders, complementary amendments to the Saskatchewan Métis Elections Act 2007 and the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Citizenship Act, 1999, the ratification of Ministerial appointments announced last fall by MN–S President Glen McCallum, approval of the Audited Financial Statements and the MN–S response to the Federal UNDRIP Legislation.
The MNLA set the date of the next MN-S election for May 29, 2021. With the fixing of an election date, Métis citizens will go to the polls to select executive and regional leadership.
Amendments made to the Saskatchewan Métis Elections Act 2007 and the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Citizenship Act, 1999 incorporated decisions made by the MNLA at the November 2019 Assembly requiring Proof of Citizenship to stand for office or vote in MN–S provincial elections. A person who wishes to register to vote in the MN-S election on May 29 will be required to provide documentation showing proof of citizenship in the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, or proof that their application has been submitted before March 30th, 2021.
President McCallum said, “To be able to gather, even in a virtual forum, allowed our elected leaders to have a full discussion about everything that happened last two years, make decisions on immediate and ongoing priorities, move our processes forward in a productive manner, and set date for our May vote to allow our citizens to exercise their democratic rights.”
The proceedings were streamed live this weekend on the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan website. The recorded video from the MNLA, along with certified resolutions and other supporting documents, will be available at métisnationsk.com at a later date.