Statement – For Immediate Release
March 28, 2025: SURREY, BC – Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) will support our Citizens in the Fraser Valley after the resignation of the Fraser Valley Métis Association’s (FVMA) Board of Directors. Our Métis Chartered Communities are the backbone of our governance and play a key role in partnering with MNBC on various programs, projects, and initiatives. Make no mistake, the previous FVMA Board did not operate in the best interests of their Members or our Citizens. For the past year they demonstrated a complete disdain for democracy, defied our governance and judicial structures, and indeed disregarded MNBC’s constitution as well as their own Chartered Agreement. What they failed to recognize is that these structures and our constitution were put in place by our Citizens over years of close consultation. Our Senate is the independent judiciary body and MNBC has no insight or influence over them. Our Senators are respected Citizens who play an important role for our Nation.
Despite this, what was clear is that the FVMA Board was only interested in preserving their own positions. When the MNBC Board called on them to act and host a required AGM and elections, they instead accused MNBC and the Senate of improprieties. These are serious allegations, yet the asks were simple, to hold an AGM as legislated by their own bylaws and let the democratic process play out. These are laws and agreements that our Nation upholds, and our own Citizens created. The FVMA Board failed their Members and our Citizens by not following through.
MNBC remains steadfast in its commitment to self-determination, resilience, and sovereignty. The laws and structures guide our Nation and many of us put in the decades of work to create them. The FVMA Board’s actions only served to undermine the will of our people for their own personal gain. We stand with the Citizens of the Fraser Valley and will help them reestablish democracy within the FVMA and will assist them in hosting an AGM and elections for a new Board.
Then it will be up to the Métis of the Fraser Valley to decide who leads their Chartered Community.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Walter Mineault, President
Métis Nation British Columbia
About Métis Nation British Columbia
Métis Nation British Columbia represents the section 35 rights of approx. 28,000 Métis citizens who are registered with MNBC and advocates for the over 98,000 self-identified Métis in British Columbia. MNBC represents thirty-nine (39) Métis Chartered Communities in British Columbia. MNBC’s mandate is to develop and enhance opportunities for Métis communities by implementing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services.
MNBC is recognized by the Government of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada. MNBC is the government for Métis in BC.
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