Achi news desk-
The head of the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is paying tribute to Brian Mulroney ahead of the former prime minister’s state funeral.
“I’ve never forgotten 1991,” MMF President David Chartrand told CTV News, “As soon as I heard the words ‘I respect the Red River Metis Nation,’ that was it for me. There was a man who respected us at last, and we had been fighting for so long to be recognized.”
In October 1991, Brian Mulroney’s government passed a resolution through the House of Commons to recognize Louis Riel as the founder of Manitoba, and to support the constitutional rights of the Red River Metis.
Chartrand praises Mulroney not only for recognizing the Red River Metis as a governing nation, but for inspiring her as a young politician at the time.
“I was very moved by his attitude towards us and his respect towards us and our culture,” explained Chartrand. “You respect us, and we will respect you with great pride and also bring you into our family.”
Chartrand also praises the Mulroney for his work in launching indigenous business development, employment and training programs – which the MMF helped establish Louis Riel Capital Corporation in 1992.
“It was just an idea to allow us to try to earn our own revenue by giving us the seed to grow and develop.”
Chartrand said the first transfer was about $1.8 million at the time.
“And today, we had made hundreds of millions of dollars in loans from our capital and created about 1,000 Metis businesses,” he explained. “So that little seed money made a huge difference.”
Chartrand added that the aforementioned training programs have benefited thousands of Metis families.
“It shows you his vision for the future of giving us the opportunity to govern ourselves and operate our own businesses.”
The president of the MMF was in Ottawa this week to offer condolences on behalf of the Manitoba Metis Federation. Mulroney’s casket has been lying in state ahead of the funeral scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
On a personal level, Chartrand remembers Mulroney as “more of an ordinary guy” – someone easy to relate to and talk to.
“You touched us and I’ve never forgotten that,” Chartrand said.
A state funeral will be held on Saturday. CTV News’ special coverage begins at 9 a.m. ET.
– With files from CTV’s Maralee Caruso
