Task force to study Metis rights defeated

Tina Kennedy
South Peace News

A motion to support a task force to investigate and make recommendations on a Métis Harvest Agreement was shot down in a split vote between five M.D. of Big Lakes councillors, Feb. 9.

The regular meeting commenced with only enough to meet quorum regulations, in this case five councillors: Deputy Reeve David Marx, Sunset House councillor, Randy Ehman, Joussard councillor, Myler Savill, Reeve Ken Killeen, and Gilwood/Triangle councillor Ken Melynk.

When Ehman motioned to support a letter from Lakeland County and ask the province for a task force, councillors were hesitant to support it.

"It's going to polarize Métis and non-Métis communities. It's a highly emotional issue right now," says Savill, one of three who opposed the motion.

Lakeland County's reeve, Peter Kirylchuk, circulated a letter to other municipalities asking for support.

"Lakeland County Council has requested that the minister (Pearl Calahasen, minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development) form a task force and continue to hold forums, in order to gather and share information and recommendations on this issue," writes Kirychuk.

In December, 2004, the Alberta government put its stamp of approval on an interim harvesting agreement to recognize the Supreme Court of Canada's decision that Métis people have an aboriginal right to fish and hunt.

Calahasen, in past interviews, acknowledged that once decisions came from the Supreme Court it was the responsibility of government to ensure their policies reflected them.

Kirychuk writes that Calahasen recently attended a meeting in Lac La Biche to explain the interim agreement and where her ministry stands.

"Madame Minister, by coming to our community you have initiated the start of an excellent forum. Perhaps these forums should be continued with a task force commissioned by your ministry. The task force could have open and frank discussions with stakeholders and community members. This task force would gather and share accurate information and then provide recommendations," writes Kirylchuk in a letter to Calahasen dated Jan. 18.

Ehman says Big Lakes should support that effort and do so by writing a letter.

When a vote was taken, only two hands rose to support it, from Killeen and Ehman. Neither Marx nor Savill supported it. Killeen turned to Melnyk and asked if he supported it.

"I'm undecided," says Melnyk.

Killeen then turned to CAO John Eriksson and asked if an undecided vote was to be counted in support of the motion.

That's when Marx told Killeen that he had not asked for votes opposed to the motion.

Killeen asked for the remainder of the vote and Melynk, along with Marx and Savill, opposed.

Melnyk later said it was too important an issue to make a quick decision on.

"I wasn't really prepared for that one and didn't really have time to think about it too much."