Métis Nation British Columbia is Critical of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak for Operating Outside of Their Mandate

December 5, 2024: SURREY, BC– Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) has serious concerns about how Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) is conducting business in British Columbia. Founded as a national body to represent the diverse views and perspectives of the provincial women’s bodies of the Métis National Council’s governing members, LFMO has veered from its original mandate as an advocacy and policy group into governance and as a service provider. To be clear, LFMO does not have a mandate to overstep MNBC’s jurisdiction as the Métis Government in BC, nor can they supersede our own elected women’s body, Métis Women of British Columbia (MWBC).

Under LFMO’s governance structure and bylaws, each governing member are on their Board of Directors and are required to meet four times a year to set priorities as well as hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM). The National President of LFMO is also elected at an AGM. Distressingly, the LFMO Board has not convened and, over the past four years, LFMO has failed to hold an AGM, with no elections being held. Unfortunately, LFMO is now operating outside of their mandate, bylaws and their structure. They are also now reaching into other jurisdictions like Métis Youth and 2SLGBTQQIA+ programming. LFMO in its current form, is not accountable to our Citizens.

As the elected Government for Métis in BC, LFMO is accountable to MNBC. We call on them to return to their original mandate so that we can continue to lift up and amplify the strong voices of Métis women in this province and across the homeland. Until that happens, MNBC and our own MWBC is no longer supportive of LFMO’s work.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Walter Mineault – President, Métis Nation British Columbia

Carmen Carriere – Chair, Métis Women British Columbia

NT5