Métis leader accuses Kamloops native groups of playing politics on National Aboriginal Day
KAMLOOPS – The president of the B.C. Métis Federation is calling a decision by two native groups in Kamloops to pull out of an Aboriginal Day event planned for today unethical.
The conflict was created by a newspaper ad for the celebration paid for by the Métis Federation on which the group’s logo appears, according to president Keith Henry.
Henry says the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society and Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services pulled their financial support for the June 21 celebration late Friday afternoon and cancelled the event.
“I’m at a loss as to how an event can be cancelled on a whim,” he says. “This is nothing but personal politics.”
Henry says the actions by the two agencies in Kamloops are very disturbing and accuses the leadership of using their programs to manipulate and politicize cultural events.
The federation paid for a newspaper ad to help promote today’s event in McDonald Park and the other agencies were invited to contribute but declined, he says. The ad included Métis Federation branding in exchange for covering the cost.
Henry says he was told the two agencies considered the Métis branding in the ad a sign of disrespect. He calls their actions unethical.
“At a time of truth and reconciliation I cannot understand how any efforts to increase public awareness for National Aboriginal Day could be so distorted by agencies playing politics,” he says.
Henry says the decision to pull it’s support calls into question an agreement the federation has with the Lii Michif Otipemisiwak to support Métis culture and provide services to their members.
Henry says a Métis event planned by the White Buffalo Aboriginal and Métis Health Society for Monday will go ahead as planned.
Calls to Lii Michif Otipemisiwak executive director Collen Lucier and Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society executive director Christopher Phillips have not yet been returned.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
4 responses
-
sowing as in planting is what you might be meaning rather than sewing as in stitching. A distinctionsomeone titled an education assistantmight want to be clear on.
-
how disappointing that Keith Henry is still the sewing seeds of dissention in Aboriginal communities. The Metis branding of the event was where the problem originated and I don’t see Mr,. Henry owning his own actions. This is his established pattern of operation however, sewing seeds of strife, dividing communities. At a time of Truth and Reconciliation, we need leadership that is humble, steadfast, and above all, honest at least to themselves.
-
-
This is truly sad day in the news. For whatever happened, I am really surprised and hope this is just a misunderstanding between the different societies and member. We are proud to see that Metis are advertising events in different parts of the province. Good for you BCMF. I personally do not see what is wrong with this advertisement. It lists everyone who was to be represented and that BCMF was asponsor of the event.Soooo, what are the protests that shut the whole thing down! Must have been a sad day in Kamloops!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.