About Us

Indigenous Governing Body is a status a nation of peoples notifies the federal government with the intent to assert themselves as a self-governing nation. In February of 2020 Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) was sent our notification of self-declaration and intent for this purpose. Until recently, we had not received any notification; however, MNBC was notified this past month that our letter of intent is sitting with the senior leadership team, and a meeting requesting information of their process and timeline has been requested.

IGB is important to MNBC as it is a key step towards Jurisdictional Transfer, the ability to transfer guardianship of children and youth from the colonial government to MNBC.

Currently, we have 750 children and youth in the custody of the colonial government, specifically with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). MCFD, like all government agencies, is governed by a federal mandate, and, as such, IGB status is required before jurisdiction can be transferred to MNBC. Until IGB status is granted, we will be working with the current government and those challenges that are presented through that process.

Citizens have sent in hand woven baby blankets, toques, and dolls and accessories to the Ministry, for donation to Métis children throughout the province.

The Ministry has instituted an internship network, and has agreements with several universities throughout BC. This network currently includes five post-secondary institutions, encompassing eight different specialty departments. During the engagement process with Chartered Communities and Service Providers, we discovered, to no surprise, that our capacity was maxed out. We also discovered a gap in the ability to provide educational and professional opportunities and training to Métis youth and adults. The internship program is a solution to existing areas of concern, to provide professional services and to expand opportunities to those in our communities at varying developmental ages.

Over the past six months, the Ministry has been privileged to work with our existing service providers, and have brought two more on board, for a total of seven. MNBC, walking in hand with the commission and service providers, are still meeting weekly. Our current focus is the internal framework for jurisdictional transfer of children in care. We will be consulting with our Regional Directors, Chartered Community Presidents, and Métis Citizens as these plans evolve. We are current planning for late September 2021 to have an open online forum for anyone in the Métis Nation to meet our service providers and the commission, so you can learn more about what they do.

The Ministry has been working hand in hand with Minister Gervais in forming a panel of Elders to help guide our framework to be culturally specific. Our hope is to have this group of Elders be accessible to all Ministries, as it is a privilege to work alongside them.

The Ministry is hosting, in collaboration with the MNBC Ministry of Education, a Father’s talking circle, a space for Métis fathers to gather and connect in a safe and respectful environment, where fathers can grow together.