About Us
Hay River is a community of approximately 3,400 residents and a trading area comprising 6,000 persons. The number of Indigenous persons, comprising Métis, Inuit, Status, and Non-Status Indians, who are from other areas but call the community and region home numbers approximately 1,000.
It is a population that experiences marginalization due to not being land right holders and having limited access to programs and services that other Indigenous People take for granted.
Hay River & Area Métis Local #51 is a prominent organization that plays a crucial role in the Indigenous communities in the Northwest Territories. Our primary objective is to promote and preserve Métis culture, heritage, and language.
WHO WE ARE
Hay River and Area Métis Local #51, situated in the Northwest Territories of Canada, holds a significant historical and cultural legacy within the region.
Established as a branch of the Métis Nation of the Northwest Territories, Local #51 serves as a vital community hub for Métis individuals residing in the Hay River area. The Métis people of this region boast a rich heritage deeply rooted in the blending of Indigenous and European ancestry, reflecting a unique cultural identity.
Throughout its history, Hay River and Area Métis Local #51 has played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and interests of its members, as well as preserving and promoting Métis culture, language, and traditions. From engaging in land claims negotiations to fostering educational initiatives and cultural events, the Local remains dedicated to advancing the well-being and empowerment of the Métis community within the Northwest Territories and beyond.
Our Objectives
- Goal 1: To promote and assert the recognition and implementation of Métis rights
- Goal 2: To promote the protection of Métis Land and Resources
- Goal 3: To work toward developing sufficient financial resources to ensure and independent financial future
- Goal 4: To develop working relationships with other community governments and organizations
- Goal 5: To promote the preservation of traditional harvesting practices of the Métis peoples
- Goal 6: To revise the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society
As per Part – 1, Article 2 of our Constitution, the objects of the Society are:
- 1. To unite the Métis people of the Hay River area;
- 2. To promote a pride and heritage among the Métis people of Hay River and area;
- 3. To promote the participation of Métis people in local and territorial organizations;
- 4. To ensure that all Métis are aware of and assured of access to their legal social, constitutional, and political rights as members of the Hay River and Area Métis community and the greater Métis Nation;
- 5. To promote the culture of the Métis people to emphasize their role in the history and development of the Northwest Territories before and after 1870;
- 6. To promote unity among all aboriginal peoples;
- 7. To promote the participation of the Métis and aboriginal people in all spheres of economic activity in the Northwest Territories.
Our Goals
To provide the membership with information and access to inform on the rights they possess as Métis peoples
(a) Increase the number of volunteers to assist staff and directors in attending
meetings, conferences and workshops for the purpose of collecting and disseminating information on Métis rights.
(b) Within the next six months develop a work plan and budget to access funding for a workshop on Métis rights
(c) Utilize the services of the Métis Nation – Northwest Territories to provide political and financial support where conflicts arise over Métis rights.
(b) Within the next six months develop a work plan and budget to access funding for a workshop on Métis rights
(c) Utilize the services of the Métis Nation – Northwest Territories to provide political and financial support where conflicts arise over Métis rights.
To maintain the integrity of Métis lands and resources through accessing political and professional support
(a) Identify and communicate to governments and resource companies the location
of Métis lands and resources
(b) Review, respond to and catalogue all land use applications that are received.
(c) Within the next three months develop a work plan and budget to access funding for a workshop on Métis lands and resources to establish a protocol with other interested parties
(d) Utilize the services of the Métis Nation – Northwest Territories to provide political and financial support where conflicts arise over Métis lands and resources
(b) Review, respond to and catalogue all land use applications that are received.
(c) Within the next three months develop a work plan and budget to access funding for a workshop on Métis lands and resources to establish a protocol with other interested parties
(d) Utilize the services of the Métis Nation – Northwest Territories to provide political and financial support where conflicts arise over Métis lands and resources
To develop budgets and identify territorial and federal programs, other programs, and business opportunities that will provide guaranteed long-term commitment for financial resources to cover administration and project costs
(a) Prepare yearly budget for both the Society and the Corporation and identify cost sharing activities to reduce overall expenses
(b) Meet with territorial and federal representatives to become informed on program and project funding and develop funding strategy to alleviate short-term financial problems
(c) Meet with resource industry representatives and actively pursue business opportunities that are within the mandate and organization abilities of the Society and Corporation
(b) Meet with territorial and federal representatives to become informed on program and project funding and develop funding strategy to alleviate short-term financial problems
(c) Meet with resource industry representatives and actively pursue business opportunities that are within the mandate and organization abilities of the Society and Corporation
To identify the political position of the Society and Corporation within the community and region and secure a positive working relationship with the Town of Hay River, Hay River Métis Government Council, West Point Dene Band, and Hay River Dene Band
(a) Meet with the Mayor of the Town of Hay River and representatives of Hay River
Métis Government Council, West Point Dene Bank and Hay River Dene Band to
identify and discuss issues affecting Métis participation within the community
and region
(b) Have the President, Board of Directors and members meet with the Hay River Member of the Legislative Assembly to discuss aspirations of the Society, Corporation and Métis Peoples.
(c) Participate in community activities that will enhance the overall position of the Métis in the community
(d) Clarify and strengthen relationship with First Nations and Métis of the South Slave, Métis Nation – Northwest Territories and Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
(b) Have the President, Board of Directors and members meet with the Hay River Member of the Legislative Assembly to discuss aspirations of the Society, Corporation and Métis Peoples.
(c) Participate in community activities that will enhance the overall position of the Métis in the community
(d) Clarify and strengthen relationship with First Nations and Métis of the South Slave, Métis Nation – Northwest Territories and Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
To participate and promote community hunts and establish protocols for addressing infringement on trapping and hunting areas by the resource industry and other organizations
(a) Identify and document trapping and hunting areas used by Métis peoples
(b) Inform resource companies and other potential users of the location Métis traditional lands and trapping and hunting area
(c) Monitor land use and infringement of Métis lands
(d) Access funding through the IRMA and other programs to track and address development issues
(b) Inform resource companies and other potential users of the location Métis traditional lands and trapping and hunting area
(c) Monitor land use and infringement of Métis lands
(d) Access funding through the IRMA and other programs to track and address development issues
To review and revise the Constitution and by-laws to reflect membership criteria
(a) Review by-laws from other similar groups and including the Métis Nation – Northwest Territories
(b) Access funding to facilitate necessary amendments
(c) Hold special general meeting to amend and adopt changes
(b) Access funding to facilitate necessary amendments
(c) Hold special general meeting to amend and adopt changes
