What is a Metis community?
Tansi/Good Day Folks:
We've been following the debate in Metisland about the MMF's recent announcement to spend $500,000 worth of public funds to erect 130 signs designating certain communities as Metis. Fellow blogger and dear friend Derryl Sanderson has been leading the charge (www.derrylsanderson.blogspot.com). To date there have been some interesting comments - our favourite:
Anonymous said...
"What constitutes a 'Metis Community' - 51% of the population? Check out this Google search:
The Rural Municipality of Reynolds, consisting of 1,333 sections of land is situated in the eastern corner of the Province. The population of 1,298 is comprised of small hamlets namely Richer East, Ste. Rita, Molson, Rennie, Hadashville, Prawda, McMunn and East Braintree.
Let's do the math. Assume the eight 'small hamlets' mentioned have approximately the same population. Therefore, Ste. Rita's share should be 162.25 citizens. Now divide that by 51% which yields 82.75 people of Metis heritage.The signs. Each cost $500,000 divided by 130 or $3,846.15. Finally, divide $3,846.15 by 82.75 Metis citizens and the MMF paid $46.48 for each living in Ste. Rita.
Wouldn't it be cheaper to simply name all 130 locations "David Chartrandville" to appeal to his ego."
Metis Accountant
What Anonymous has neglected to factor into the equation is the cost of people like Ray St. Germain plus President Chartrand and his traveling entourage at the 130 dedications throughout the province. That could push the cost per sign per Metis in these communities well into the $100 range.
Perhaps there's another reason for this. Didn't Canada's Supreme Court rule in the Powley case extended gathering rights would only apply to those areas where it could be clearly established a historical Metis community existed. In fact, haven't there been past negotiations with the Doer government attempting to agree on how many and where? Wasn't the original number bandied about in the 10-15 range. So why not hang these signs everywhere as a bargaining ploy?
Better yet, what about a $500,000 mega Jumbotron on the corner of Portage and Main with the flashing message:
"WELCOME TO FRIENDLY/SPIRITED ENERGY MANITOBA - ONE BIG FEDERATION OF HAPPY METIS COMMUNITIES - THE REST OF YOU CAN GO TO HELL!"
Leaving aside for a moment the contentious issue of who's a Metis, in the end it really does reduce to what is a Metis community?
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
P.S. Typical accountant - can't see the forest for the trees!
We've been following the debate in Metisland about the MMF's recent announcement to spend $500,000 worth of public funds to erect 130 signs designating certain communities as Metis. Fellow blogger and dear friend Derryl Sanderson has been leading the charge (www.derrylsanderson.blogspot.com). To date there have been some interesting comments - our favourite:
Anonymous said...
"What constitutes a 'Metis Community' - 51% of the population? Check out this Google search:
The Rural Municipality of Reynolds, consisting of 1,333 sections of land is situated in the eastern corner of the Province. The population of 1,298 is comprised of small hamlets namely Richer East, Ste. Rita, Molson, Rennie, Hadashville, Prawda, McMunn and East Braintree.
Let's do the math. Assume the eight 'small hamlets' mentioned have approximately the same population. Therefore, Ste. Rita's share should be 162.25 citizens. Now divide that by 51% which yields 82.75 people of Metis heritage.The signs. Each cost $500,000 divided by 130 or $3,846.15. Finally, divide $3,846.15 by 82.75 Metis citizens and the MMF paid $46.48 for each living in Ste. Rita.
Wouldn't it be cheaper to simply name all 130 locations "David Chartrandville" to appeal to his ego."
Metis Accountant
What Anonymous has neglected to factor into the equation is the cost of people like Ray St. Germain plus President Chartrand and his traveling entourage at the 130 dedications throughout the province. That could push the cost per sign per Metis in these communities well into the $100 range.
Perhaps there's another reason for this. Didn't Canada's Supreme Court rule in the Powley case extended gathering rights would only apply to those areas where it could be clearly established a historical Metis community existed. In fact, haven't there been past negotiations with the Doer government attempting to agree on how many and where? Wasn't the original number bandied about in the 10-15 range. So why not hang these signs everywhere as a bargaining ploy?
Better yet, what about a $500,000 mega Jumbotron on the corner of Portage and Main with the flashing message:
"WELCOME TO FRIENDLY/SPIRITED ENERGY MANITOBA - ONE BIG FEDERATION OF HAPPY METIS COMMUNITIES - THE REST OF YOU CAN GO TO HELL!"
Leaving aside for a moment the contentious issue of who's a Metis, in the end it really does reduce to what is a Metis community?
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
P.S. Typical accountant - can't see the forest for the trees!
posted by Clare L. Pieuk at 11:57 AM
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