Senate Appeals Process
Mediation and Arbitration / Regional and Local Disputes
The following processes must be completed before the Senate will entertain an official intervention (as per the MNBC Guidebook and the Community Charters);
- Appellant to Citizen
- Appellant to Community President
- Appellant to Regional Governance Council
- Appellant to Regional Director
- Appellant to MNBC Board of Directors; thus becoming,
- Eligible for a Senate Intervention
Written evidence must be submitted with the application for Senate intervention providing that all mediation attempts have been undertaken. Appellants that apply for intervention, without attempting the above process, will be refused a Senate hearing.
Veteran's Affairs
Please contact the Métis Veteran's British Columbia for information pertaining to Veteran's Affairs.
*Citizen Appeal
An Appellant can only appeal their application after they have received a letter from the MNBC Central Registry indicating that they "cannot validate or verify" the citizenship requirements. An appeal will only be granted to those individuals that have exhausted all avenues. Refer to the Senate Policy and Procedures.
*Central Registry Appeals
An Appellant can appeal the decision of the MNBC Central Registry if they feel the process has not been followed or was conducted unfairly. Again, an Appellant can only appeal when all avenues have been exhausted by both the Appellant and the MNBC Central Registry. The Appellant must have received a "cannot validate and verify" letter from the Central Registry. Refer to the Senate Policy and Procedures.
Election Appeals
Provincial/Regional Elections - All electoral appeals are initiated by contacting the Chief Electoral Officer and expressing the interest in appealing his/her decision. The Chief Electoral Officer will then supply the applicant with the appropriate application forms and the contact information for the Senate Clerk. Electoral appeals will not be accepted unless the proper protocol is followed.
Community Elections - Although not legislated or required, the MNBC encourages that you please contact your regional Senator either by e-mail and/or phone when a community election is to Occur.
Ceremonial Activities and Exchanges / Conducting Opening / Closing Prayers / Directing Swearing in Ceremonies and Oaths / Presenting Awards and Gifts of Recognition / Displaying Métis Flags and Sashes
Large-Scale Events (provincial/regional) - Please forward the request to the Senate Clerk via e-mail and/or fax. The attendance of the Senate will depend on the availability of funding. Small-Scale Events (community) - Please contact your regional Senator either by e-mail and/or phone. The attendance of the Senator will depend on the availability of funding.
Natural Resources Offences/Appeals
The processes and policies are under development between the MNBC Senate and the Captain's Assembly of the B.C. Métis Assembly of Natural Resources. Keep posted for future processes.
* Both Citizenship and Registry appeals conducted by the Senate will assure the Applicant that the process was conducted according to policy and procedure and in a fair and judicial manner. The Senate cannot modify or interpret the MNBC Legislation as this is the duty of the Métis Nation Governing Assembly and the MNBC Annual General Meeting.
