Why must it always be racism? Maybe Ste. Rita residents simply didn't want the sign foisted upon them!
Tansi/Good Day Folks:
Below are two versions of the Ste. Rita sign debacle. You be the judge.
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federation Sign Out Of Line
The Carillon
Steinbach, Manitoba
July 5, 2007
There is good reason for many people living in Ste Rita to be upset about a new sign erected at the entrance to their community east of Anola. Someone, in fact, was angry enough to burn down the sign a few days ago. What angers some people is that the sign read "Our Local Metis Government Welcomes you to Ste Rita," which they say suggested the Metis organization is a government presence in the area.
There is good reason to be upset over any such suggestion. While the Manitoba Metis Federation is a long-established lobby group in Manitoba, it has no powers of a government: it has no defined areas over which it has influence, it cannot issue permits or approvals and it certainly has no powers of taxation, all of which are powers granted to governments, like the RM of Reynolds which includes Ste Rita. MMF president David Chartrand views this as an insult to his group, suggesting the protesters may be racially motivated. The fact many of the people attending a meeting last week to deal with the issue are themselves of Metis descent seems to have escaped him.
The Federation could easily get around any controversy by simply removing the word government from the sign. That, however, is not likely to happen precisely because of the inference Chartrand wants to leave. He, like many other Metis leaders, believe they should have a measure of self-governance in certain areas and may feel erecting signs all over the province will leave that impression. The signs are misleading at best. To a stranger driving through the area, they could suggest an actual Metis government presence.
There is nothing racist about objecting to the sign, or more particularly, the word government. Instead of attacking the critics, Chartrand and his colleagues should sit down with people in affected communities (centres like Marchand, Woodridge, Richer and La Broquerie could well be next) and discuss how the signs could be modified.
The Federation, in actuality, has little more power than say, the Irish Folk Association of Winnipeg, and does little beyond lobbying governments for more money. Indeed, its principal success lies in its ability to pry ever more cash from the public purse to fuel its agenda and feed its bureaucracy. With that money, it should stick to cultural and educational programs and stop posturing that it has any powers of a government.
- P.D.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Racism Rears Its Ugly Head
Grassroots News
GRN STAFF
July 10, 2007
Page 1
During the night of Friday, June 30, 2007, or possibly during Saturday's early morning hours, the Manitoba Metis Federation's Local Metis Government sign in Ste. Rita was set on fire. This violent act took place two days after a Ste. Rita town hall meeting where the idea of Metis Government was denied and denounced in racist and discriminatory language.
Designed to welcome travelers as they are entering Ste. Rita, the sign is private property and the persons are persons who set fire to the sign trespassed on private land to reach it. Despite the lawless vandalism, according to MMF President David Chartrand the sign will be replaced and similar signs will be built across the province.
The sign which reads, "Our Local Metis Government Welcomes You to Ste. Rita," has created a controversy apparently focussed on the word "Government." There has been heated debate with some people denying that the Metis have a government. Some are going so far as to say business will suffer because of the sign. Others say if a new sign is put up they will burn it down.
Denying claims that the reaction to the sign is racially motivated, in media interviews a representative of the Municipality of Reynolds suggested that using the word "Government" will deter development and discourage buying and building in the Ste. Rita area, as well as confuse people about who's in charge and who they need to pay their taxes to.
"How is this possible? Give the people the facts," replies MMF President David Chartrand. "They can't show us how the sign will hurt the town's economy because it's untrue. These are very weak excuses. It's a smokescreen. It's not about economics, money, or business. It's not even really the word 'government.' It smacks of intolerance."
The Metis are hardworking taxpayers. They've lived in this area and throughout Manitoba for over two hundred years," said President Chartrand. "What ridiculous excuses are they going to come up with next? Will they suggest their property values are going to decrease because there are Metis people living in the neighbourhood?"
"It is a sad day when people resort to such hateful acts," said President Chartrand. "It's people acting out their fears of what they don't understand, or who refuse to accept and deny Canada's Constitutional realities. The Metis are Founders of Manitoba and Partners in Confederation. Metis Government is an existing Aboriginal right protected by section 35 of Canada's Constitution."
"It is more than the burning of a sign. It is not just about a piece of property or the word 'Government' " President Chartrand explained." It is an attack on each and every member of our community. It's a stab at the heart of our nation."
"There is a small group of people out there who believe 'as long as you are quiet, keep your eyes down, and be good little Metis we will leave youi alone,' " President Chartrand went on to say. "But as soon as we start making progress in our programs, services, and governance they say 'whoa...you've gone too far...get back in your place."
Metis from across the Province quickly reacted and recalled the racism many of them had experienced during their childhood. An Elder from St.-Ambroise shook her head repeatedly and sadly said that the burning was not right. Another Elder, from the Southeast, said he would camp out in front of the sign throughout the summer, if asked, to protect it from further attacks.
"This attack on the Metis People is unacceptable. It is like the Dark Times of the late 1800's and early 1900's when the Metis were denied jobs and education and called half-breeds and traitors," said President Chartrand. "The Metis lived as second-class citizens. Many lived on road allowances. We were denied our right to self-determination. The MMF will never let this happen again."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following appeared in the comments section of www.derrylsanderson.blogspot.com ("St. Rita Councillor Andy Pelletier Lays Down The Truth" - July 6, 2007)
Hi Derryl,
Nancy here. Just thought I would let you know that I presented our RM with the pettion that contains 96 out of 120 names. Not the 30 or so David claimed. We are going to continue our battle here in Ste. Rita and we will not back down.
There was a really good article printed in "The Carillon" paper on the 5th of July read it if you can otherwise I can send it to you. I sent a copy of the pettion to David (as if he will care) but at least he can read for himself. I also sent different levels of goverment a copy. We are going to keep this issue very strong here and stand for our right for RESPECT.
Below are two versions of the Ste. Rita sign debacle. You be the judge.
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federation Sign Out Of Line
The Carillon
Steinbach, Manitoba
July 5, 2007
There is good reason for many people living in Ste Rita to be upset about a new sign erected at the entrance to their community east of Anola. Someone, in fact, was angry enough to burn down the sign a few days ago. What angers some people is that the sign read "Our Local Metis Government Welcomes you to Ste Rita," which they say suggested the Metis organization is a government presence in the area.
There is good reason to be upset over any such suggestion. While the Manitoba Metis Federation is a long-established lobby group in Manitoba, it has no powers of a government: it has no defined areas over which it has influence, it cannot issue permits or approvals and it certainly has no powers of taxation, all of which are powers granted to governments, like the RM of Reynolds which includes Ste Rita. MMF president David Chartrand views this as an insult to his group, suggesting the protesters may be racially motivated. The fact many of the people attending a meeting last week to deal with the issue are themselves of Metis descent seems to have escaped him.
The Federation could easily get around any controversy by simply removing the word government from the sign. That, however, is not likely to happen precisely because of the inference Chartrand wants to leave. He, like many other Metis leaders, believe they should have a measure of self-governance in certain areas and may feel erecting signs all over the province will leave that impression. The signs are misleading at best. To a stranger driving through the area, they could suggest an actual Metis government presence.
There is nothing racist about objecting to the sign, or more particularly, the word government. Instead of attacking the critics, Chartrand and his colleagues should sit down with people in affected communities (centres like Marchand, Woodridge, Richer and La Broquerie could well be next) and discuss how the signs could be modified.
The Federation, in actuality, has little more power than say, the Irish Folk Association of Winnipeg, and does little beyond lobbying governments for more money. Indeed, its principal success lies in its ability to pry ever more cash from the public purse to fuel its agenda and feed its bureaucracy. With that money, it should stick to cultural and educational programs and stop posturing that it has any powers of a government.
- P.D.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Racism Rears Its Ugly Head
Grassroots News
GRN STAFF
July 10, 2007
Page 1
During the night of Friday, June 30, 2007, or possibly during Saturday's early morning hours, the Manitoba Metis Federation's Local Metis Government sign in Ste. Rita was set on fire. This violent act took place two days after a Ste. Rita town hall meeting where the idea of Metis Government was denied and denounced in racist and discriminatory language.
Designed to welcome travelers as they are entering Ste. Rita, the sign is private property and the persons are persons who set fire to the sign trespassed on private land to reach it. Despite the lawless vandalism, according to MMF President David Chartrand the sign will be replaced and similar signs will be built across the province.
The sign which reads, "Our Local Metis Government Welcomes You to Ste. Rita," has created a controversy apparently focussed on the word "Government." There has been heated debate with some people denying that the Metis have a government. Some are going so far as to say business will suffer because of the sign. Others say if a new sign is put up they will burn it down.
Denying claims that the reaction to the sign is racially motivated, in media interviews a representative of the Municipality of Reynolds suggested that using the word "Government" will deter development and discourage buying and building in the Ste. Rita area, as well as confuse people about who's in charge and who they need to pay their taxes to.
"How is this possible? Give the people the facts," replies MMF President David Chartrand. "They can't show us how the sign will hurt the town's economy because it's untrue. These are very weak excuses. It's a smokescreen. It's not about economics, money, or business. It's not even really the word 'government.' It smacks of intolerance."
The Metis are hardworking taxpayers. They've lived in this area and throughout Manitoba for over two hundred years," said President Chartrand. "What ridiculous excuses are they going to come up with next? Will they suggest their property values are going to decrease because there are Metis people living in the neighbourhood?"
"It is a sad day when people resort to such hateful acts," said President Chartrand. "It's people acting out their fears of what they don't understand, or who refuse to accept and deny Canada's Constitutional realities. The Metis are Founders of Manitoba and Partners in Confederation. Metis Government is an existing Aboriginal right protected by section 35 of Canada's Constitution."
"It is more than the burning of a sign. It is not just about a piece of property or the word 'Government' " President Chartrand explained." It is an attack on each and every member of our community. It's a stab at the heart of our nation."
"There is a small group of people out there who believe 'as long as you are quiet, keep your eyes down, and be good little Metis we will leave youi alone,' " President Chartrand went on to say. "But as soon as we start making progress in our programs, services, and governance they say 'whoa...you've gone too far...get back in your place."
Metis from across the Province quickly reacted and recalled the racism many of them had experienced during their childhood. An Elder from St.-Ambroise shook her head repeatedly and sadly said that the burning was not right. Another Elder, from the Southeast, said he would camp out in front of the sign throughout the summer, if asked, to protect it from further attacks.
"This attack on the Metis People is unacceptable. It is like the Dark Times of the late 1800's and early 1900's when the Metis were denied jobs and education and called half-breeds and traitors," said President Chartrand. "The Metis lived as second-class citizens. Many lived on road allowances. We were denied our right to self-determination. The MMF will never let this happen again."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following appeared in the comments section of www.derrylsanderson.blogspot.com ("St. Rita Councillor Andy Pelletier Lays Down The Truth" - July 6, 2007)
Hi Derryl,
Nancy here. Just thought I would let you know that I presented our RM with the pettion that contains 96 out of 120 names. Not the 30 or so David claimed. We are going to continue our battle here in Ste. Rita and we will not back down.
There was a really good article printed in "The Carillon" paper on the 5th of July read it if you can otherwise I can send it to you. I sent a copy of the pettion to David (as if he will care) but at least he can read for himself. I also sent different levels of goverment a copy. We are going to keep this issue very strong here and stand for our right for RESPECT.
posted by Clare L. Pieuk at 7:43 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home