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A P R I L 2021 ME S S E NG E R
H A R V E S T I N G M etis S ettlements G eneral C ouncil
We have been busy working with the harvesting committee this past year and are looking forward to the coming years possible activities. We reviewed the Terms of Reference for the committee and have identified some outstanding directions we may work towards. Advancing section 35 rights is important, and as we work towards that we need to build up our recognized Metis Harvesters list on each settlement as it is a way that the Federal Government agrees to recognize Metis Harvesting rights. Canada has agreed to the system as recognition of Powley compliance, which brings us 1 step closer to section 35 rights. However, to build that list we need every single Metis Settlement member to fill out the application, provide the long form birth certificate, sign the waiver, answer the questionnaire, and apply for a harvesting card through your settlement. We at central office then go through the process and procedure of verifying, identifying, and providing proof for recognizing the person as a registered harvester. This system of building a list of registered Metis Harvesters, with all the secured, protected and verified genealogical research behind each one and the process and procedure involved is the continued support that central office administration staff provide. Each Settlement Administrator was provided with an outline of suggested activities for a Harvesting Ambassador, these duties could be assigned to current land & membership staff members, the capacity support provided would then offset employee costs. The harvesting application process can be identified by your local harvesting committee representative, local membership rep, or Harvesting applications can also be found on our website at www.msgc.ca You can also get in touch with Caitlyn Supernant at MSGC Central Office for any assistance, she can be reached by phone 780-782-0783 csupernant@msgc.ca The advancement of section 35 rights in Alberta is and always has been a difficult mission to achieve and it is one that we will continue to strive towards this year. The technical support team of the Environmental Resource Initiatives of MSGC has put forward a proposal for capacity support through Alberta Environment and Parks and is currently awaiting a response on the proposal. The next step will be to arrange meetings with Minister Nixon to request support on a process to recognize a Metis Settlement Harvester as a Powley compliant Metis in the Province of Alberta. This is a large undertaking and has continuously been the direction of the Harvesting Committee based on the Terms of Reference of the committee.
O u r L a n d . O u r C u l t u r e . O u r F u t u r e .
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