Manitoba Metis David Chartrand(Quebec separatist)

[Archie Martin]

Manitoba Metis President David Chartrand makes historic agreement with Quebec separatist

In a little corner of the news it is being reported that current Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand has been making the rounds in Quebec. The story goes that he has had a meeting with his new friend Mario Beaulieu and has made a historic partnership.

Mario as we are to learn is responsible for the upcoming festivities on June 24th where people in Quebec celebrate Fete nationale du Québec (wiki) which is in general a festival to celebrate French culture but over the years has morphed into a statutory holiday for everyone in Quebec regardless if they are of French lineage or not.

During last years festivities Mario Bealieu barred a number of Quebec bands from performing at a local celebration because some of their songs were in English and after a little bit of public outrage Mario retracted his decision and they were placed back on the ticket.

Mario Beaulieu is the president of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society (wiki) and if you haven't figured it out yet he is for Quebec separatism from Canada, which is what makes this story interesting:

Presidents David Chartrand, Manitoba Métis Federation, and Mario Beaulieu, Fête Nationale du Québec, laid the foundation of an historic partnership between the elected government of the Manitoba Métis community and the body responsible for the June 24 festivities in Montréal.

In a press conference, presidents David Chartrand and Mario Beaulieu announced the Métis participation in the 2010 Fete nationale du Québec in Montreal. This partnership aims the promotion of the history, heritage, youth and culture of the Québécois and Métis nations during 2010, proclaimed Year of the Metis Nation in commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the Battle of Batoche and Execution of Louis Riel in 1885.

There are historical connections between the Manitoba Metis Community and Quebec. In those times, the Masson family was sponsoring Métis students, which allowed Louis Riel to attend Collège de Montréal. Recently the Masson family donated their collection of Louis Riel letters to the Société historique de St-Boniface in Manitoba.

"In 1885, Quebec supported the Metis and tens of thousands of Quebecers took to the streets of Montreal to support Louis Riel and to protest against this travesty of justice. Today, we are honored to be in Québec to share with you the Métis culture and to learn more about that of Quebecers."

The Manitoba Métis Community is the Founder of Manitoba and a multi-lingual population. There are French-speaking and Michif-speaking Metis throughout the province. (CNW)

It is notable that David Chartrand will reach out and shake hands with a French separatist who would like to see Canada go away but will not reach out to Metis people in Quebec. He has publicly stated that the only real Metis are from the west and are descendants of the Red River, no one else need apply (#). This idealism also goes hand in hand with the self-confinement role that the leadership of the Metis National Council projects. The only Metis allowed in their roster are those descended from 'the colony'.
This self-inclusionism seems to fit well with the racial agenda of Quebec separatist Mario Beaulieu and if you view this 'historic' partnership with this in mind one must wonder - what in the world was David Chartrand thinking? Monkey see, monkey do? Two peas in a pod?

Other then another photo-op for said leader, there is nothing to be gained here for the Metis people.

If you want to be best friends with racial sub-dividers then do it on your own god damn dime.


http://www.metisonline.ca/