MMF Constitution Article II - Political Affiliation: "The organization shall not be affiliated with any political party."
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The dangers of reading too much CyberSmokeBlog!"
I was having such a good year until you showed that picture of President Chartrand eh! Was that the buckskin jacket David gave to former Prime Minister Paul Martin or maybe it doesn't now fit Stephen Harper? Good to see where the Metis taxpayer dollars are going.
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Dear Anonymous:
Thank you for writing. We rather doubt President Chartrand gave the buckskin jacket off his back to former Prime Minister Paul Martin during the November 2005 First Ministers' Meeting held with Aboriginal leaders in Kelowna, British Columbia. Besides, it would be far, far too big for either Messrs. Martin or Harper. Rather, another one was likely made. By the way, don't forget about the painting - read on.
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
Metis Present Painting To PM
By David Kuxhaus
Winnipeg Free Press
September 13, 2004
Page A4
THE Manitoba Metis Federation commissioned a portrait of Paul Martin worth several thousands of dollars which it presented to the prime minister earlier this year.
MMF president David Chartrand said the gift was to honour Martin for acknowledging the Metis as a nation.
"This is part of our culture," said Chartrand." When somebody does something for us we give them a gift."
The oil painting was done by Agnes Jorgensen, a local artist who lives in St. Andrews.
The portrait of Martin also depicts Metis leader Louis Riel looking down from the heavens on the prime minister .
"It's very beautiful," said Chartrand of the painting.
Earlier this year, Martin,speaking at a summit on aboriginal issues, suggested his government was prepared to officially recognize Riel, who was hanged for treason in 1885.
Chartrand declined to say how much the MMF paid for the painting.
A copy of a faxed invoice sent to the MMF by Jorgensen requests payment of $8,025 upon delivery of the portrait.
Chartrand said that amount included other services aside from the painting but refused to elaborate.
He emphasized that no government money was used to pay for the painting.
"I want to make that point very clear this is not program money," said Chartrand.
The MMF has an overall budget of $20 million, the majority of which comes from the government, however, Chartrand said they also operate a number of profit making ventures which include managing buildings and operating a restaurant in their Henry Avenue headquarters.
Several native chiefs from Manitoba have come under criticism for making political donations to the Grits and chartering a plane to attend a reception hosted by the prime minister in Ottawa last month.
They say it's part of doing business and getting Martin's ear.
Chartrand, however, said the MMF's gift to the prime minister was not done to curry favour.
"This is not about trying to get something back," said Chartrand.
Chartrand said he hasn't had a chance to get Martin's reaction to the gift but said he heard from one of the prime minister's sons that he liked it.
david.kuxhaus@freepress.mb.ca
I was having such a good year until you showed that picture of President Chartrand eh! Was that the buckskin jacket David gave to former Prime Minister Paul Martin or maybe it doesn't now fit Stephen Harper? Good to see where the Metis taxpayer dollars are going.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Anonymous:
Thank you for writing. We rather doubt President Chartrand gave the buckskin jacket off his back to former Prime Minister Paul Martin during the November 2005 First Ministers' Meeting held with Aboriginal leaders in Kelowna, British Columbia. Besides, it would be far, far too big for either Messrs. Martin or Harper. Rather, another one was likely made. By the way, don't forget about the painting - read on.
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
Metis Present Painting To PM
By David Kuxhaus
Winnipeg Free Press
September 13, 2004
Page A4
THE Manitoba Metis Federation commissioned a portrait of Paul Martin worth several thousands of dollars which it presented to the prime minister earlier this year.
MMF president David Chartrand said the gift was to honour Martin for acknowledging the Metis as a nation.
"This is part of our culture," said Chartrand." When somebody does something for us we give them a gift."
The oil painting was done by Agnes Jorgensen, a local artist who lives in St. Andrews.
The portrait of Martin also depicts Metis leader Louis Riel looking down from the heavens on the prime minister .
"It's very beautiful," said Chartrand of the painting.
Earlier this year, Martin,speaking at a summit on aboriginal issues, suggested his government was prepared to officially recognize Riel, who was hanged for treason in 1885.
Chartrand declined to say how much the MMF paid for the painting.
A copy of a faxed invoice sent to the MMF by Jorgensen requests payment of $8,025 upon delivery of the portrait.
Chartrand said that amount included other services aside from the painting but refused to elaborate.
He emphasized that no government money was used to pay for the painting.
"I want to make that point very clear this is not program money," said Chartrand.
The MMF has an overall budget of $20 million, the majority of which comes from the government, however, Chartrand said they also operate a number of profit making ventures which include managing buildings and operating a restaurant in their Henry Avenue headquarters.
Several native chiefs from Manitoba have come under criticism for making political donations to the Grits and chartering a plane to attend a reception hosted by the prime minister in Ottawa last month.
They say it's part of doing business and getting Martin's ear.
Chartrand, however, said the MMF's gift to the prime minister was not done to curry favour.
"This is not about trying to get something back," said Chartrand.
Chartrand said he hasn't had a chance to get Martin's reaction to the gift but said he heard from one of the prime minister's sons that he liked it.
david.kuxhaus@freepress.mb.ca
posted by Clare L. Pieuk at 7:25 PM
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