MNBC VP refuses Métis Elder and Youth attending entire in-camera meeting with MNBC President

(June 6, 2021) Métis Nation British Columbia President Clara Morin Dal Col was invited to attend a meeting of the MNBC Board of Directors on May 20, 2021 to discuss her January suspension (and effective removal) but because the proposed meeting was to be in-camera which President Morin Dal Col opposed she informed the MNBC Vice President that she would only attend the meeting if both a Métis Elder and Métis Youth accompanied her for the entire meeting and be able to speak on her behalf if they wished. The Vice President refused the request and instead indicated that the Elder and Youth could attend just the beginning of the meeting, make a statement and then would have to leave the meeting.

President Morin Dal Col said, “I wanted a Métis Elder and Métis Youth to attend the entire meeting for support because this was going to be a closed meeting and I wanted a respected Elder and Youth to be able to be there with me to witness the actions and statements of Board members but that simple request was refused by the Vice President”. “I found that refusal to be very disrespectful given the important roles that Métis Elders and Youth have in our Nation”, said the President.

President Morin Dal Col wanted the meeting to be an open meeting so that MNBC Citizens knew what was taking place. In a letter to the Vice President on May 19, 2021 President Morin Dal Col stated, “As the democratically elected President of Métis Nation British Columbia, I am not prepared to attend another meeting like January 18 that is in-camera where I am verbally attacked and bullied. Our Métis Citizens have every right to know what takes place behind MNBC closed doors.” The request for an open meeting was refused by the Vice President.

The President also wanted the meeting recorded in the interests of openness and transparency. That request was also refused.

The meeting on May 20, 2021 went ahead without President Morin Dal Col’s participation. .

President Morin Dal Col’s effective removal from office back on January 18th has prevented her from moving forward on her platform and the commitments that she made to the Métis people when she was re-elected for a four-year term just 8 and ½ months ago. The President has consistently spoken out in defence of the national definition of Métis and the importance of protecting our Métis Nation. Before she was effectively removed from office she pushed for greater transparency, including having all MNBC Board meetings live-streamed but nine Board Members objected.

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For further information:

Contact President Clara Morin Dal Col

Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com