Manitoba Metis Elders unite - grey power!

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post, "Make an election video Reddbird!"

The Federation must be afraid of the real deal ..... what would they do with a Metis Elder if they were in the same room with one? Would they be able to look this person in the eye? What answers would they give for not returing calls, addressing concerns?

Sure glad this Elder and family contacted your site. Hope that clarifies decision making at election time.

P.S. I personally know of other Elders not being treated justly by the current MMF.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Anonymous:

Thank you for contacting CyberSmokeBlog. Being non-Aboriginal our understanding is Elders are highly respected and influencial within their communities. However, our assessment is often they do not get the credit and recognition they deserve from the current MMF leadership so the question becomes why? Could part of the reason be they're not organized as a group, therefore, easily divided? What a golden opportunity the internet offers for changing this.

However, there could be another reason.


Ted Koppel for years host of ABC's Nightline is now Program Director for The Discovery Channel.
Not long ago he was interviewed on his return from China. One of the topics discussed were protest groups such as Falun Gong which was small and without much influence but had been brutally suppressed by the authorities. Why? His explanation was dictatorial regimes have a deep-rooted fear these small organizations could spark much wider movements so it was best to stamp them out early. How else could you explain the MMF's totally disproportinate reaction suing CyberSmokeSignals?

Could this be the mindset of the current President and Board of Directors? While they make public displays about the importance of Elders, secretly they fear they could organize and have a much greater voice?

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk