(August 24, 2026) Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) likes to claim that they have more than 30,000 Citizens, but it is readily apparent that the vast majority of its Citizens don’t really care who their President is.
Only 2449 people or about 8% of the citizens voted in the by-election that ended this past weekend meaning that more than 27,000 or 92% couldn’t be bothered to vote. Now why would that be? Could it be because MNBC fails to post their annual operating budget so that citizens can see how they plan to spend $80 or $90 million a year? Or is it because MNBC Citizens see an empire being built in Surrey with more than 300 staff while Métis communities have needs that are not being met? Who knows the main reason but the huge level of apathy within the organization is a big problem.
The new President is Anthony Wingham, who will step into the position that has no authority to do anything and all power rests with the Board. Even though the Board’s Policy Manual has a section entitled “The role and authority of the President” he will not find the word “authority” anywhere in the description of the position except in the title because he has zero authority. So how is this new President going to deliver on his campaign platform?
He will very quickly discover that he has to check with the Board on everything he does and we mean everything including even sending a general communication to the citizens. If he does that without checking with the Board first, then he could face another coupe.
And what about his salary? It pays a whopping $180,000 per year, along with health and pension benefits, and travel perks. Not bad for a guy who was elected based on just 8% of the citizens voting. One wonders if he will get his very own fancy SUV like this Board gave to the former President before he got the boot. If MNBC hasn’t been able to sell it yet, the 2025 Chevy Blazer SUV just might work, although apparently it needs new tires and a new windshield (after only one year of driving by the ex-President) and who knows what else it will need.
Former MNBC President Clara Morin DalCol says, “The new President will have a steep learning curve and MNBC Citizens should not expect to see any more transparency or accountability from this Board than the pitiful amount of transparency that has been taking place for the past five years because that’s how this Board operates.”
She adds, “That’s one of the reasons why thousands of MNBC Citizens didn’t bother voting because they’ve given up on this non-profit society and its lack of transparency. A 92% apathy factor is an absolute embarrassment for MNBC.”
As for communicating with the citizens, Ms. Morin Dal Col says, “Back in 2021, I was told by the Board of the day (some of the same directors are still on this current Board) that I was not to communicate with citizens without checking with the Board first. Imagine for a moment that a democratically elected province-wide President could not send a general communication note out to citizens who elected her without checking with the Board first. That is just one example of the kind of heavy handed complete Board control I was dealing with.”
As President of Red River Métis British Columbia, Ms. Morin DalCol invites true Métis in this province who are tired of MNBC and the way they operate to join a real grassroots organization which is focused on improving the lives of our true Métis people in British Columbia. We work on the issues that matter most to our members through strong and effective advocacy work with the federal and provincial governments.
Red River Métis British Columbia has an elected Board of Directors all of whom reside right here in British Columbia. You can apply to join Red River Métis British Columbia even if you have a membership with another Métis organization. Join Red River Métis - British Columbia today, by clicking on:
Comments