Sworn oath submitted in woman's defense

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Metis right recognized

A controversy that exploded at the Metis Association of Alberta (MAA) Annual Assembly over the membership of a Calgary woman was settled quickly and quietly at the Zone 3 annual general meeting March 21.

Freda Martell, whose membership in the association has been questioned by a Red Deer Local was reinstated as a member after a sworn oath was submitted in her defense.

The oath, sworn by former Native Council of Canada (Alberta) (NCC(A) director, Theresa Bone, testified that Bone had known Martell's grandparents to be Metis. The oath was sworn before Commissioner for Oaths, Peter Pelletier, the former Zone 3 director who had been removed from office late last year.

In an interview after the meeting, Martell said she was pleased that her rights had been recognized.

"I feel happy, it was the right decision," she said.

However, Martell, who had put her name up for election for the Zone 3 director position and was later disqualified on the grounds that she was not a member of any Local at the time nominations ceased, says she had not decided whether or not to run for the directorship in the summer election.

Jim White, President of Local 18 in Calgary, where Martell had applied for membership, said he too was pleased with the result. He pointed out that his Local had only refused Martell membership because she had already been challenged by a Red Deer Local.

"We have to follow the bylaws," said White, "and the proper procedure. The Board of the MAA had referred the matter to the Zone 3 Regional Council where the decision was made according to our bylaws."

However, although the controversy appears to be over for Martell, White points out that the issue had opened a "whole can of worms" for the association regarding the question of membership in general.

"Right now our bylaws are very unprecise," he said. "Almost anyone could join the association. This whole question had mad us very aware that we need to define our membership rules.

After a decision over Martell's membership was made, the council then passed a resolution to form a committee to look into the bylaws regarding membership.