Forward by President Chartrand

On behalf of your Cabinet, I welcome you to the team of Local executives who support our Citizens in regions across our great Homeland and beyond. By volunteering your time to your Local as a member of the executive team, you are participating in a rich democratic tradition that spans decades. Those who eventually go on to be elected at the regional level or as President of the Manitoba Métis Federation have stood where you are today. Locals have kept the flame of our nationhood alive, providing the guidance needed for our government to follow the will of Citizens on matters of national import.

As you work toward improving your Local, you may only sometimes realize how vital your work is. You may not see how much of a difference you will make in your Métis Government’s strength and ability to tackle significant issues like our land claim and modern-day treaty. Your determination, presence as a focus point for the community to gather, and persistence in keeping our Citizens engaged make all the difference to the long-term health and well-being of our democracy.

I hope you can see as clearly as I can that our success is a direct result of your time, energy, and confidence in your Red River Métis government. Today, our Cabinet stands on the shoulders of all the leaders who came before us, including local leaders, just as we are the shoulders upon which our youth – our future leaders – will stand.

Locals will always be the guides of our work. They will never lose their importance to our ways or our government. As you continue, you’re your leadership pathway, know that your Red River Métis Government has your back, just as you have the back of Local members. This is how we ensure our unity and strength as we leave a legacy for the future.

From the bottom of my heart, I say meeqwetch for everything you do.