The President of Metis Nation – Saskatchewan says before 2017 they had never surpassed 3,000 registered citizens and now it’s over 15,000 and growing. Glen McCallum believes the rise is partially because the MN-S didn’t have the proper governance processes in place and there was no clear direction on how to structure themselves. Then, the Metis Nation Legislative Assembly outlined what was necessary leading the executive to have more direction.

He suggests people are also registering for a Metis card because of the programs the MN-S offers and because of the renewed spirit of the Metis in Saskatchewan. McCallum lists a first time home buyers program and a post-secondary program among their offerings.

He adds that homelessness is one of the issues the MN-S Executive is working on. The Battleford lost some major funding earlier this year and was going to have to close, but the MN-S offered $500,000 to fund the shelter temporarily until September. McCallum says they have connected with the Battleford Tribal Council, the Prince Albert Grand Council, Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations to work on the homelessness issue, so they can speak with one voice to the federal and provincial governments.

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