Métis Nation British Columbia is the government of Métis in BC
Intergovernmental Affairs manages MNBC’s relationship with the federal government through the Canada-Métis Nation Accord, and with the Province of British Columbia through the development of a new reconciliation agreement underpinned by the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Act. As a central service supporting all MNBC ministries, this department also liaises with municipalities, First Nations and MNBC Chartered Communities.
Mailing Address
#380 – 13401 108 Ave
Surrey, B.C.
V3T 5T3Phone & Email
Toll-free: 1-800-940-1150
Phone: 604-557-5851Email Jeremy Twigg, Director, Intergovernmental Affairs
Kamron Bajwa, Manager, Intergovernmental Affairs
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
The Intergovernmental Affairs department is mandated to advance Métis Nation British Columbia’s strategic priorities by developing and strengthening government-to-government relationships with the Crown and other Indigenous governments.
- Monitoring and analyzing legislative and policy developments that could affect MNBC ’s organizational objectives.
- Working with provincial, federal, municipal and Indigenous government officials – plus boards and commissions as necessary – to promote MNBC and its strategic priorities.
- Developing a new bilateral relationship agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
- Working with the Métis National Council to advance MNBC priorities at the federal level.
- Supporting work on the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination table with the Government of Canada.
Métis Nation British Columbia has been in various levels of talks and negotiations with both the provincial and federal governments as we assert our Section 35 constitutional rights as one of Canada’s three Aboriginal Peoples. There is still much work to do, but we are making progress in moving toward a reconciliation agreement with BC and a self-government agreement with Canada.
The Province of British Columbia recently recognized Métis Nation British Columbia as the representative government of Métis in B.C., and that Métis people in the province have certain Aboriginal rights as one of three distinct Indigenous Peoples in Canada under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, in a letter dated May 12, 2023 by Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
This official recognition builds on the 2021 Letter of Intent, which outlines a “whole of government” approach to improving Métis relations by respecting self-determination and committing to develop a reconciliation agreement. A reconciliation agreement with British Columbia will reflect distinctions-based commitments in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) Action Plan. The DRIPA legislation and Action Plan represent a real opportunity for transformative change in respectful, rights-based relations with Indigenous people in British Columbia.
Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) recognizes that First Nations hold Aboriginal title to these lands now known as British Columbia. MNBC’s assertion of our constitutional section 35 rights should not be misconstrued as claiming Aboriginal title in British Columbia. MNBC is committed to acknowledging, upholding, and respecting First Nations’ inherent rights that have existed since time immemorial, and to their constitutionally protected treaty rights. The assertion of our right to self-government is not intended to claim any Aboriginal title in British Columbia. Any assertions that we are claiming Aboriginal title are inaccurate and are from unaffiliated groups who do not speak for or represent objectively verified Métis citizens in British Columbia that make up our membership.
Recognition of Métis Nation British Columbia as the representative government of Métis in BC
Recognition of MNBC – Key messages and FAQs