Provincial Learning Event – The Metis People of British Columbia

May 18, 2021: The Métis People of BC, presented by Daniel Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Minister for the Métis Nation BC (MMBC).

Registration is now open for this session.

Métis Nation BC (MNBC) has a total of 22,000+ registered citizens who reside in communities across the province. According to Statistics Canada, Métis are the largest single group of Indigenous people in BC, with 90,000+ (citizens and self-identified) individual residing in our province. With almost 100 full-time staff, MNBC is the recognized government for Métis people in BC. It is headquartered in Surrey with seven regional hub offices located in a number of major centres. Métis people have a deep and rich history in our province. Some of Canada’s most well recognized individuals such as Terry Fox identifying as Métis.

In his presentation, Mr. Fontaine will provide a brief history of the key contributions Metis people have made and continue to make in British Columbia regarding whom many refer to as ‘the forgotten people’. As we move toward an era of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in BC, MNBC is at the forefront of advocating for self-government and the protection of Metis rights as set out in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution.

Fontaine will also speak about the current and future challenges Métis people face in BC as they begin a journey and reconciliation and a pathway toward self-government. He will also speak to the unique challenges faced by Métis people as they forge a new government-to-government relationship with the Canadian, British Columbia and First Nation governments. Fontaine will also highlight some of the unique cultural components of being Métis and how critical it is to retaining the Michif language, which is not considered as ‘endangered’.

About our presenter: Mr. Fontaine has worked in the private and not-for-profit sectors as well as government. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Manitoba, Mr. Fontaine went on to complete the Media Writing and Public Relations certificate from Langara College. He was appointed to the Board of Directors for Douglas College and served on the BC College of Psychologists from 2004-2010. He also served on the Board of Directors for SafeCare BC which has a mandate to reduce workplace injuries in the long-term care sector.

Mr. Fontaine is the former weekly civic affairs columnist for the 24 Hours Newspaper and political commentator on Global TV & Global BC1 news channel. He actively participated in the weekly civic affairs panel for the top-rated Bill Good Show on CKNW radio.

In 2012 Mr. Fontaine was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for public service. He was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba and moved to British Columbia in 1989.

Advance registration for this presentation is required. Register now.

Provincial Learning Events are free webinars that take place the third Tuesday of the month from 10:30 am to 12 pm. Everyone is welcome.

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