No consensus after court-ordered Métis Nation Sask. meeting

A long-standing conflict between factions of the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan (MNS) could prevent it from accessing frozen money from the federal government.

Justice Brian Scherman, a Court of Queen's Bench Judge ordered the factions to meet to set a date, place, and time for a Métis Nation Legislative Assembly (MNLA). That meeting took place on January 16 and 17, but the members couldn't reach a consensus.

In order for the Métis Nation to access federal money, it needs to hold two legislative assemblies per year. In the last two years, one has taken place.

The federal government froze funds to the organization over the issue in October. Since that happened, almost all of the staff at the Métis Nation office were laid off.

"This isn't just about a power struggle," MNS president Robert Doucette said, "This is about day to day stuff that's impacting Métis citizens."

One faction led by Doucette wants to hold one MNLA in March in Saskatoon and another in September in Prince Albert. That motion was shot down.

The other faction led by MNS vice-president Gerald Morin moved to hold four council meetings between January and September and then hold a legislative assembly in Yorkton in September. That motion was also defeated over concerns it would cost too much money.

Doucette said in a press conference Tuesday that most Métis people live in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Regina. It's important to hold an assembly in a central location. He said Yorkton is too far away for most people.

Doucette said he will file an application to ask Justice Scherman to order MNS to hold a legislative assembly before the end of its fiscal year.

The MNS may have to lay off its remaining staff if a legislative assembly can't be arranged.

"The very survival of the MNS is at stake here," Doucette said.