Mtis National Council's 1st female leader leaves door open for Manitoba Mtis Federation to return

The new president of the Mtis National Council (MNC) says she would welcome the Manitoba Mtis Federation (MMF) back to her organization.

The MMF announced last Wednesday it was leaving the organization,on the eve of the first MNCgeneral assembly in three years,where Cassidy Caron was elected president.

"Though I respect their right to withdraw . . . there will always be a place for them at this table,"saidCaron from the MNC's head office in Ottawa.

"Mtis citizens in Manitoba are our relatives, they're our family, and we will always continue to look out for them."

Caron, 29, was elected at the Saskatoon meeting on the third ballot with 25 of 40 votesfromdelegates atthe general assembly. She takes overfrom ClementChartier, who waspresident of the organization for 18 years.

She said it's anhonour to serve as president.

"I know there's been a lot of Indigenous women who have been in leadership positions, and that has really laid the foundation for me," she said.

"It's time for our matriarchs to rise."

MNC members excited for new leadership

The remaining governing members of MNChad warm wishes for Caron.

"Her election was a very good day for the nation and, as we move forward in unity, I believe our future as a Mtis Nation looks bright," wrote Glen McCallum, president of the Mtis Nation-Saskatchewan, in an emailed statement to CBCNews.

Lissa Dawn-Smith, acting president of the Mtis NationBritish Columbia,said they were excited tohave anational president from B.C.

"She has a lot of experience, and she'll lead in an inclusive manner," she said.

"It's just refreshing that we have new leadership there."

Mtis Nation of Alberta did not respond by time of publishing. In a Facebook post, MNAPresident Audrey Poitras congratulated Caron on breaking the glass ceiling as the first female president.

Mtis Nation of Ontariopresident Margaret Frohsaid Caron's election is "giving a lot of people hope."

"We talk about the importance of womenand the importance of youth," she said.

"I think our assembly showed real leadership in electing her to this new role."

Sharing a border

Last Wednesday, the MMF citedmembership issues involving theMtis Nation Ontario (MNO) as the reason for its withdrawal.

It said in a news release thatat its2019 annual general assembly, a resolution was passed that the MMF should withdraw from the MNC "should MNO continue to be allowed a seat at the governance tablewhilethey by their own admissionhavenearly 80 per centnon-Mtis Nation Citizensin their registry."

Froh said, "We share a border with the MMF; we have lots of citizens within the MNO that have kinship and familial ties to Mtis in Manitoba.

"One thing that is very clearis that politics will never change those facts at all. But that relationship really does matter."

MMFPresident David Chartrand saidCaron will have"a hell of a time" leading a group that doesn't include the Mtis of Manitoba.

Caron said she was aware of the concerns about citizenship and "really understanding who are the Mtis."

"There was no openness to have the conversation prior to the Manitoba Mtis Federation walking away from the MNC," she said.

"Our national assembly last week passed a motion to direct us at the MNC to establish an objective, investigative panel of experts to assess and sort through the critical information on the subject, and bring back recommendations to the board of governors and the national assembly for that decision."