Metis zones receive funding

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The focus of the MAA Zone 2 annual assembly held in Bonnyville February 8, was the short-term agreement signed in January this year between the MAA and the provincial Department of Municipal Affairs which gives $50,000 to each of the six Alberta zones to set up offices and evaluate provincial programs and services that directly affect the Metis people.

Although the turn-out was disappointing, vice-president for Zone 2, August Collins and representatives of the six locals in the region met to go over a plan of action mapped out in the agreement to get an overview of what programs are ain place, how effective they are, and what changes can be made to better accommodate the needs of Metis people.

Zone representatives will be working closely with the provincial departments in the areas of Social Services, Education, Health Care, the probation and parole departments, foster care and cultural programs, and will encourage grassroots participation, awareness and involvement in these areas.

Toward the end of the six-month contract, the region will determine a maximum of six program issues for the regional council to address.

Following this identification, Zone 2 will begin discussions with the pertinent department or agency in the problem area in order to achieve a working solution. Discussions will take place in workshop settings that will involve the community in order to gain input on mechanisms to resolve problems.

The final results of all Zone 2 activity will be contained in a comprehensive report to be forwarded to the provincial government for evaluation.

If the evaluation is favourable and the funding responsibly accounted for, there is a possibility that further funding will be granted, to continue a program that will be larger in scope.

Three other groups were on hand to address the assembly. A delegation from the Metis Women of Alberta presented their position paper on Metis Women in the Canadian constitution and explained their role. The paper stated "Metis women must be recognized as an integral part of society with an equal and important role in the future of the Metis people."

This recognition, they explained, must take the form of actual participation in entrenching Metis rights to self-government, and female equality with the assurance of a land base in order to develop economic development opportunities.

Later, Zane Collins, a representative of the Metis Youth Council, asked for Zone 2 member support for that group and the principal of a local school outlined plans to address the needs of Metis students within the school setting.