Métis federation to provide relief funding

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/03/2020 (2137 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Speaking to Manitoba Métis via Facebook Live Friday, Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand announced $1 million in relief funds to help individuals and families cope with immediate needs.

“When we’re asking to isolate, how can they isolate if they don’t have enough groceries in their cupboards for the children?” asked Chartrand.

The federation cabinet has been holding emergency meetings to develop its COVID-19 Health Action Plan. Aside from parents, Chartrand specifically mentioned Métis elders, entrepreneurs and employees who are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic measures.

“One million cash will be made available for our citizens all across our homeland in Manitoba. We’re making it very clear to employees that if your employer is not there to help you, then contact the (federation), and we’ll try to give you enough money to carry yourself through until you figure out the unemployment issue, how you can access that,” Chartrand said.

Chartrand was referring to the $82 billion the federal government pledged earlier this week to help employers, employees and parents via the child benefit.

“We’re getting all the answers for you,” Chartrand said.

While it won’t be handing out thousands of dollars for each individual Métis person, there will be enough to carry individuals in need through “this tough time.” Chartrand spoke of a three-month period he said officials are currently suggesting will be the timeline until daily life might resume free of isolation measures. Noting there are 120,000 Métis people in the province, he said the federation could not provide $1,000 for each one.

“We can help those that need help,” he stressed, adding there are those who can see themselves through a potential three-month period.

“I know there’s panic out there. We’ve gotten calls already from employers that are wondering what’s going to happen to them. Businesses are hurting already.”

He said people are asking, “How do I make my bank payments? How do I make my mortgage payments? How do I pay my employees?”

The federation has already contacted 1,000 elders, checking on them to make sure they’re OK. Each of the seven regions will receive $25,000 cash to ensure resources are in place, including hiring people for grocery delivery, to keep elders isolated and protected.

“We don’t want our elders going into towns to shop, leaving their house. They’re the most vulnerable. We need to understand that,” Chartrand said, adding that cash infusion is happening immediately.

The federation is also “putting something together for all our fishermen who are out there suffering and wondering how they’re going to feed their families,” he said, acknowledging they may not fall into any of the prescribed categories as small businesses.

“Minister Frances Chartrand, who is minister of health for the Métis government, is taking some extreme measures to make sure that we’re taking action to ensure we’re helping all our citizens across Manitoba,” the president said.

Aside from the cash infusion to those in need, the federation has moved forward to open two 48-bed facilities, turning two construction camps into health facilities, with all the tools and equipment needed to protect people.

“Those camps are being developed as we speak,” Chartrand said, adding if the Métis government finds it doesn’t need them, the 96 beds will be made available to the province.

“The Métis government is looking at it as an entire Manitoba issue, not just a Métis issue. I think we need to work together. All society needs to come together, the First Nations, the Métis and non-Indigenous people.”

The federation also bought mobile tiny homes for self-isolation.

Chartrand admitted he has a chest and head cold. Due to this and the fact he’s been travelling extensively on federation business, he is self-isolating and will be tested for COVID-19 in the coming days.

Chartrand travelled to Ottawa this week to ensure Métis were included in the $82 billion in financial aid announced by the federal government. While offering kudos to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for being a strong, unifying voice for the nation, Chartrand expressed some dismay that he did not mention Métis in the initial COVID-19 financial package for Canadians.

“We were somewhat disappointed in the first announcements that were coming out that it was only for First Nations,” he said.

“We needed to correct that. The prime minister has assured us that the Métis will not be forgotten.”

Chartrand discussed the matter during a teleconference with Trudeau, who is also in self-isolation.

Chartrand emphasized social distancing, despite the fact that intimate touching – kisses on the cheek and the forehead, for example – is a part of daily life for many.

“We’ll just temporarily have a different way of saying hello, a different way of saying that we care and admire each other,” he said.

He also asked Métis to be patient when calling, as staff are doing everything they can, as quickly as they can, rolling out the measures.

“Please show respect. Don’t be frustrated if they can’t answer your question right away – they’re struggling, too, to get all the answers from Canada. We have little answers right now from the province … we hope those will come soon,” Chartrand said.

Meanwhile, MEDOCare Pharmacy services continue and will be improved.

Finally, Chartrand said to look out for COVID-19-related fraudsters. See Page A2 of today’s newspaper for more on the latest frauds. 

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Manitoba Metis Federation contact information:

For Métis employees and elders: 1-800-665-8474.

For Métis businesses and entrepreneurs: 1-800-387-6004.

For updated information and other contact numbers: www.mmf.mb.ca.

 

 

» mletourneau@brandonsun.com

» Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism.