Métis Nation—Saskatchewan

[5][6][7] Within the 12 regions exist Métis locals, which are smaller governmental structures, each with an elected president.

[8][9][10] Past presidents of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan include Lorna Docken, Clément Chartier, Jim "Jimmy D" Durocher, and Robert Doucette.

[11] The earliest Métis governments in what is now Saskatchewan began prior to the 1870 Red River Resistance, but grew rapidly after that event.

Southbranch Settlement communities such as Duck Lake, St. Laurent, St. Louis, Fish Creek, and Batoche grew along the South Saskatchewan River, growing from the original La Petite Ville mission.

They grew frustrated with the stalling and general lack of response from the government, so the Council of St. Laurent decided to ask Louis Riel to return from exile in Montana to lead the Métis again.

Métis community councils began to form around this time, organizing themselves along the model of labour unions and using the name "locals" for their representative structure.

Recognizing the need to establish a formal governance structure for their voice to be heard, Métis in Saskatchewan began to organize.

The organization was created to help with issues that Métis people were dealing with as a result of the Great Depression.

[14][15] Past leaders of these organizations include Joe LaRocque, Jim Brady, Malcolm Norris, Howard Adams, Jim Sinclair, Clifford LaRocque, Jimmy Durocher, Clément Chartier, Gerald Morin, and Robert Doucette.

Though the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan has pushed the limits of what is possible within the legislation to move forward in shaping their governance and moving forward their political aspirations, the legislation has limited what MN—S is able to accomplish in terms of being self-governing and independent from the authority of the provincial and federal governments.

[18] On July 20, 2018, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and Canada signed the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation, which established the mechanism by which the negotiations on the shared objectives would be conducted.

In April 2024, MN—S withdrew its support, stating that "the one-size-fits-all approach proposed by the federal government was fundamentally flawed".

[22][23][24] In May 2024, MN—S announced its own proposed self-determination treaty, Kishchi Mashinaayikun Ooshchi Michif ("The sacred document of the Métis"), which it plans to present to the federal government in 2025 after ratification by its citizens.

Métis Locals in Saskatchewan are vital community anchors in serving as representatives, advocates, and cultural preservers.

Métis locals are both a voice of the citizens through their elected representative in the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan government and political processes while also being the means through which some programs and services are provided to the community, including facilitating support for various services like education, healthcare, and housing assistance where available.

Through these efforts, Métis locals foster connections within their community among individuals and families by providing a platform for social interactions.

Locals have the responsibility of preparing communities for self-government, and they may seek the necessary finances and resources for their programs, services, and other objectives that they have established.

[28] Locals were originally modelled on the labour movement, and were established as collective representative bodies for their members to assert their rights.

[35] Each member of the Provincial Métis Council is responsible for ensuring that the affiliates, departments, programs, and services within their portfolio have the necessary finances and resources to operate effectively.

They are responsible for overseeing the setting of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, including the procedures, rules, and debates, and maintaining the decorum of the sitting.

[43] Sitting members of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly are eligible to be appointed to hold portfolios.

[45] Les Filles de Madeleine is the provincial organization in Saskatchewan that is mandated to provide a voice for Métis Nation women.

[46] The goals of Les Filles de Madeleine The objectives of Les Filles de Madeleine Secretariat Inc. are:[46] The Provincial Métis Youth Council provides an opportunity to ensure that the voice of youth is always heard as a part of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan government.

In September 2024, MN—S left the Council, primarily due to conflicts with the MNC's continued admittance of the Métis Nation of Ontario.