MMF election ends in historic acclamation

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This article was published 24/05/2022 (1576 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Métis Federation’s near three-week election ended in historic fashion Tuesday.

In a resounding vote of confidence by Red River Métis citizens, all 23 incumbents, spanning seven regions across the province, were re-elected by acclamation for the first time in the organization’s history.

“It’s so humbling,” said John Fleury, minister of human resource development and regional executive officer for Minnedosa.

“That, to me, is a solid vote of confidence in the cabinet and where we’re taking the Métis citizens today.”

First elected in March 2000, Fleury has been linked to the MMF since he was a young lad. His father, George Fleury, was a founding member and longtime vice-president of the southwest region.

Fleury remembers quietly sitting in on board meetings as they happened in his living room, listening to how the tight-knit group was trying to better the lives of Métis people in Manitoba.

He quickly grew fond of the impact his father was making on the community.

“I thought ‘that would be something interesting to do,’” he said.

Fleury later joined the MMF as a 16-year-old. Now 63, he enters his seventh term in cabinet.

As minister of human resource development, Fleury said he’s proud of his effort to help working Métis citizens across the province.

The goal is to get people to a point where they can stand on equal footing with every other applicant, he said, adding more than 20,000 people have gained better employment opportunities through the MMF.

“They’re in positions where they can buy their own homes and vehicle,” he said. “They’re educated and trained to get some of the best jobs in Canada.”

Will Goodon enters his third term as an elected representative.

“It’s a big honour, but one I don’t take lightly,” he said. “The indication is that our citizens want us to keep moving forward.”

Goodon started with the MMF in 1996, working his way through the ranks before claiming a spot at the table.

Goodon served as an assistant to the president during his early years with the organization before starting the first Métis General Store in the late 1990s.

Now the minister of housing, Goodon couldn’t help but look back at how far he and the organization have come.

“When I started, we had three employees and were in debt,” he said with a chuckle. “Now, it’s so big and there’s just so much going on.”

While economic development is always the backbone of the MMF’s platform, Goodon said he’s pleased to be a part of the success it’s had in housing.

“We’re doing more than anyone else in Canada and more than anyone could’ve imagined 50 years ago.”

A new allotment of funding for housing and a modern-day treaty is close to being finalized between the Red River Métis and Government of Canada, according to Goodon.

“I’m looking forward to providing even more senior homes and family homes for people in their communities,” he said.

“It’s good to be able to deliver tangible things in a lot of our communities.”

Leah LaPlante was elected to her eighth term with the MMF, the sixth by acclamation.

“I was quite excited,” said the vice-president of the southwest region. “We put a lot of effort into the jobs we do as elected leaders, so to all be in by acclamation feels good.”

First elected in 1997, LaPlante, also the minister of natural resources, oversees the citizenship portfolio for the MMF.

The organization’s citizenship has grown by “leaps and bounds” over the past decade and continues to soar, LaPlante said.

The MMF is approaching 50,000 registered members — nearly double what it was 10 years ago, according to her.

“I don’t think there’s ever a month that goes by where I don’t have a stack of applications to put through the process,” she said.

“My motto has always been ‘we leave no one behind,’ and if you belong here then we welcome you here with open arms.”

Heading the MMF since 1997, President David Chartrand was re-elected without opposition for a third straight term.

Chartrand offered a statement about his cabinet in a press release.

“Our elected officials are the backbone of our government, and our success has only been possible because of our strength as a team,” he said. “There are over a thousand individuals who have served Red River Métis citizens over the years and are qualified to run for these positions, so an uncontested election across the slate is truly remarkable.”

In what would be a standard procedure following an election, Chartrand could shuffle responsibilities among the caucus soon. An incumbent overseeing housing today could assume citizenship responsibilities tomorrow, according to LaPlante.

“It keeps it fresh, and [Chartrand] has been really good at putting people in a place where they are doing the best for that portfolio,” she said.

The lone change to the cabinet came as John Parenteau stepped down from his position as regional executive officer for Minitonas, paving the way for Peter Fleming to replace him by acclamation, according to a press release.

» jfrey-sam@brandonsun.com