First Nations chief says Manitoba Métis sign at Ottawa airport ‘controversial’

Days before First Nations chiefs from across the country poured into Ottawa’s international airport for the Assembly of First Nations special chiefs assembly, Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) signage was removed from the building.

The signage in question read “Manitoba Métis Federation, national government of the Red River Métis,” and apparently rubbed Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Chief Dylan Whiteduck the wrong way.

In a statement to Global News, the Ottawa International Airport Authority said, “Under a contract with Astral, the Ottawa International Airport exhibited the creative content of the Manitoba Métis Federation for approximately 13 months without any issues.

“Recently, Chief Dylan Whiteduck of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community communicated with the Airport Authority, expressing profound concerns about the advertising, deeming it both political and offensive.”

The airport said these concerns meant the signage was in violation of its advertising standards, which prohibit political and offensive content.

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg is an Algonquin First Nation whose traditional territory encompasses Ottawa.

In a joint press release with Chief Greg Sarazin of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Whiteduck said the nations “have jointly voiced their intention to replace a recently removed controversial sign at the Ottawa International Airport with one that warmly welcomes individuals to the unceded Algonquin territory.”

The release said the MMF signage “had the potential to create confusion regarding the territory’s ownership.”

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President of the MMF David Chartrand said he was outraged that the signage was removed. “It is absolutely an insult that is unexplainable to me. I don’t know how you can come back and tell me, as the president of my people, that your sign was offensive. I don’t know what was offensive,” he said.

Adding the MMF “just signed a self-government agreement in 2021 with Canada, recognizing the national government. So, I’m not just nobody. I’m a government.”

Chartrand said the move is like a slap to the face. “You just slapped all my elders. You slap my people. You slap me as the president and leader of this government.”

The self-government agreement Chartrand is referring to is something that has been hotly debated across Indigenous communities — especially in Ontario as the Métis Nation of Ontario’s agreement came with the establishment of “historic Métis communities” in First Nations territory.

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In a statement released back in May, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Cathy Merrick stated, “It is concerning that the federal government has recognized the ‘Historic Métis Homeland’ as an area encompassing the traditional territories of many First Nations, including the entirety of what is now the province of Manitoba.

“The Métis claim to territory or homeland is relatively new, benefiting from the concept of the Doctrine of Discovery, and lacks the historical significance that First Nations share with the land … Canada’s agreement with the Métis Nation of Ontario sets a dangerous precedent for First Nations in Manitoba.

“It now further complicates matters as Canada will have further grounds to continue to argue that it must consult with the Métis prior to finalizing their Treaty obligations to First Nations in Manitoba. This is troubling, considering that the First Nations were not consulted prior to this Agreement being entered into, and the same can happen for AMC member First Nations.”

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Chartrand said the signage is supposed to represent and instill pride in being Métis, which he said has historically been stifled.

“I’m telling the people of who I am and who my people are: the National Government of the Red River Métis. That’s what we are,” he said. “We have fought hard in this country to find our place in confederation,” adding it could have been anyone that made the complaint and he would still feel the same.

“At the end of the day, you insulted a government, and you insulted a people — a historic people — that helped build this country.”

Chartrand said the MMF is looking into legal action. “Somebody’s going to go to court,” he said, and “(they’re) going to explain themselves.”

He is looking to Astral Media for an explanation of why they did not defend the MMF’s contract with the corporation even though it had been paid in full.

When Global News reached out to Astral for comment, they said to ask the Ottawa International Airport Authority.

President Chartrand said he wants an apology, explanation as to why the signage is offensive, and for the signs to be put back up immediately and to be left untouched.