FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2019

49th Annual Back to Batoche opens with focus on housing and healing 

July 19, 2019 – BATOCHE, SASKATCHEWAN – Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) opened the 49th annual Back to Batoche Days on the Homeland Territory of the Métis with a series of ground-breaking initiatives that will improve the lives of Métis citizens across Saskatchewan.

MN-S / SMEDCO First Time Home Buyers’ Program

 Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, in partnership with the Government of Canada’s National Housing Strategy, announced a new program to assist first-time Métis homebuyers and promote home ownership. Citizens who qualify will be able to access up to $15,000 towards a down payment, and up to $2,500 for closing costs, if they own the home for at least 10 years. They will also have access to professional advice from realtors, lawyers and mortgage brokers through the home buying process. 

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Derek Langan, MN-S Housing Minister

“Home ownership for many Métis citizens has not happened due to a multitude of government policies that perpetuated crippling poverty. We recognize this and have worked with the federal government on proactive specific actions which will uplift Métis families to invest in their futures through home ownership. Having a secure, stable home to go to is important for families on so many levels, including mental and physical health, as well as building wealth. This is a hand up for our citizens.”

MN-S Emergency Home Repairs and Renovation Program

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan announced a home repair program that will allow Métis citizens who are current homeowners to address emergency home repairs. Applications to the home repair fund will be reviewed by an expert advisory panel to determine eligibility and costs.

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Derek Langan, MN-S Housing Minister

“Many of the homes that Métis families live in require upgrades and repairs. Together with the federal government we have determined a pool of money that will allow homeowners to access to make the repairs they need. Similar to our MN-S / SMEDCO First Time Home Buyers’ Program, this will allow Métis home owners to see strong equity in their homes.”

MOU Île-à-la-Crosse

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations & Northern Affairs, to address the outstanding issues of students who attended Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding school. In May, the federal government announced it would sign an MOU with the Île-à-la-Crosse boarding school committee. MN-S President Glen McCallum signed the MOU on behalf of the committee and those affected.

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Glen McCallum, MN-S President

“This has been a heart-wrenching journey for our survivors and families of those students who have passed. We have had promises from other governments over the years that never came to fruition and we approach this with cautious optimism. However, we have built a respectful, honest relationship with Minister Bennett and officials and we have achieved respect in several areas and I expect we will in this as well.” MN-S President McCallum said.

Protocol between MN-S & RCMP

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police “F” Division to continue the work of building trusting and mutually beneficial relationships between Métis citizens in Saskatchewan and the RCMP. The protocol stipulates that the RCMP will recognize MN-S as the a government for Métis citizens and affirms the need to work together to build stronger, safer communities.

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Glen McCallum, MN-S President

“The relationship between the RCMP and the Métis is historic and often riddled with adversity. We want to take that relationship back and focus on respect, recognition and security. We have a lot to offer in terms of our own history, culture and protocols and as a government we must step up and work with our partners to achieve understanding.”

For more information, contact:

Richard Quintal, MN-S Chief Executive Officer

306.227.3798

metisnationsk.com

Download the official media release here.