Province of BC says MNBC Is Not an Indigenous Governing Body

(June 2, 2023) The Province of British Columbia says Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) is not an Indigenous Governing Body. The latest letter from the Provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation to MNBC dated May 30th, 2023 states (in part) that “…While the Province agrees that Métis people in BC have non-site-specific section 35 rights, our view is that, at present, MNBC does not have status or authority as an Indigenous Governing Body within the meaning of the Declaration Act.”

The Provincial Minister could not be clearer on the issue, and his statement is consistent with the position taken by Indigenous Services Canada in connection with MNBC’s intention to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services under Bill C-92. MNBC has initiated legal action in the Federal Court seeking a judicial review of the federal department’s position. That case has not yet been heard.

So as MNBC runs up the bill for legal fees pursuing a judicial review, the Provincial Minister for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation provides a very clear statement on the subject of an Indigenous Governing Body that is not going to help MNBC’s position.

The Provincial Minister also said this in his letter – “The Province’s understanding is that, to date, there has been no court decision that has confirmed the existence of any identifiable historic rights-bearing Métis community in what is now BC. As such, at the present time, our understanding is that while Métis people, including in BC, hold section 35 rights, those rights do not include any site-specific rights within BC. As a result, Métis rights do not trigger the same Crown obligations with respect to lands and resource decisions that are owed to First Nations under section 35(1).”

MNBC did not post the latest letter from the Provincial Minister on their website.

However, MNBC did post a lengthy statement on their website on the same day May 30th with the title – “Métis Nation British Columbia acknowledges, upholds and respects First Nations’ inherent rights, title and treaty rights”. Throughout the document numerous references talk about the rights of First Nations including this statement – “MNBC recognizes that Métis rights in BC are different from the rights of First Nations title holders”.

BC Métis Leader and former MNBC President Clara Morin Dal Col asks this key question, “So while the document talks a great deal about First Nation rights, it says nothing about Métis rights which begs the question – exactly what Section 35 rights is MNBC pushing for on behalf of Métis Citizens in British Columbia or are they pushing at all?”

Ms. Morin Dal Col then adds, “And how bizarre for a statement like this to be issued by a member of the MNBC staff, instead of by the current President and the Board. If this was intended to be a major position statement, why was it not issued at least by the current President? Perhaps it has something to do with being afraid of possible political damage.”

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For further information:

Contact Clara Morin Dal Col

BC Métis Leader

Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com