Using MNBC Letterhead to Endorse Local Civic Candidate is Wrong

(September 12, 2021) A Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) Regional Director should not be using MNBC letterhead to endorse a local candidate seeking municipal office but that is exactly what MNBC Regional Director Paulette Flamond has done in Region Seven.

Using MNBC letterhead Ms. Flamond is endorsing a First Nations candidate in an upcoming by-election in Pouce Coupe, a community outside of Dawson Creek. She is endorsing Richard Mineault, a status member of Treaty 8 First Nations, who just happens to be the brother of Walter Mineault, a former candidate for the MNBC Presidency.

BC Métis Nation Leader Clara Morin Dal Col said,” MNBC is supposed to be non-partisan in all aspects of dealing with municipal, provincial and federal governments and that includes endorsing particular candidates for municipal office. Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “Using MNBC letterhead to endorse any candidate is wrong. Ms. Flamond should not have done that.”

With regard to the matter of Walter Mineault being a brother to the candidate Richard Mineault, Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “this raises a very interesting question about how Walter Mineault qualified to be Métis.” She said, “If his brother has his status as a member of the Treaty 8 First Nations, how is it possible that Walter Mineault is Métis.”

The BC Métis Nation Leader said, “The issue of Métis Citizenship is a big one. Even the Métis citizenship of MNBC Vice President Lissa Smith is a matter currently before the MNBC Senate.”

Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “Métis people are distinct from First Nations and Inuit. I have had enough of Métis pretenders - individuals claiming to be Métis and gaining citizenship when new information suggests otherwise.

The Métis Leader said, “I am absolutely committed to protecting the integrity of the citizenship – the Red River Métis - within the Métis Nation in the historic Métis homeland.”

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For further information:

Contact President Clara Morin Dal Col

Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com