Metis voices on anti-racism - What we heard report

Métis are often considered the “Forgotten People” throughout Canadian history. Although Métis are one of the three federally recognized Indigenous groups within Canada, along with First Nations and Inuit, they are often silenced from claiming their culture, rights, and truths.

Métis have, and continue to, experience systemic racism through colonialism, residential schools, discrimination, the child welfare system, and the erasure of Métis rights. As Canada and British Columbia work towards Truth through Reconciliation, Métis voices need to be heard. Métis' experiences in public services and political committees must be recognized. At the same time, the provincial government should acknowledge the harm that continues to occur to Métis. 

Systemic racism negatively impacts the daily lives of Métis in British Columbia. Equitable and long-term funding to Métis Nation British Columbia and Métis Chartered Communities for cultural healing programs and meaningful cooperation are essential to addressing systemic racism at both local, regional, and provincial levels. Accountability and acknowledgment of harm caused by colonial governments is needed to promote safer public and private systems. Transformative change will empower the community, claim accountability and build trusting relationships that will create thriving Métis communities.

The following What We Heard report provides the basis for the following nine recommendations for the Government of British Columbia to action through legislation, policies, programs and funding: 

1. Specific acknowledgement of Métis within political and public sector messages, policies, and programs 
2. Ministry Anti-Racism Action Plans, as made mandatory by this legislation, include Métis-specific initiatives and strong accountability measures
3. Mandatory Métis-specific anti-racism education for all government employees and public servants
4. Require local and municipal governments to create anti-racism action plans
5. Create long-term funding opportunities for Métis at provincial and local/municipal levels
6. Develop reporting mechanisms for Métis and other Indigenous people to access when systemic racism harms their community
7. Create Métis-specific advocate positions across government agencies. The advocates would work on behalf of Métis in BC to identify and address the harms identified in communities
8. Recognition that MNBC is best suited to support Métis healing in the province, with a commitment to provide long-term funding that supports Métis cultural healing programs as it relates to the harms Métis have experienced through systemic racism, including intergenerational trauma, etc. 
9. Continued collaboration with Métis Nation British Columbia and Métis communities to create stronger partnerships to eliminate anti-Indigenous racism in British Columbia

Read the full report