The MNS Tripartite Unit Sub-committee on Métis Women's perspectives (SWP) met as a full sub-committee on January 4th and 5th, 2001 in Saskatoon to receive full updates on the activities undertaken to date and to provide feedback and direction on the future. As the Métis Women's Tripartite Coordinator (TC), I reported on the MNS Tripartite Management Committee meeting held in Prince Albert, Sask. on December 4th and 5th, including sharing my thoughts on the positive progress at the Tripartite Management Committee (TMC) meetings. I was pleased that I was able to give a two fold report on the Métis Women's Perspectives activities, as this allows the TMC the opportunity to see progress with the Métis Women's move forward on the governance initiatives. As well I gave a brief update on the progress of the ongoing community consultation with respect to the tripartite process utilizing the developed working tool to educate the Métis women at a community level.

A consultant was retained by the SWP to undertake the community consultations across the province and provided a presentation to the full sub-committee on the final report in regards to the tripartite process. She talked about the process and how do we as Métis women fit in with the governance initiatives such as Métis governance, Northern Project, urban governance, justice and economic development. A final report of the findings was distributed to the full sub-committee for feedback. We also reviewed the proposed 2001 - 2002 Métis Women's Perspectives Tripartite Workplan. There was detailed discussion of the workplace deliverables and how the Métis Women's Perspectives would meet these deliverables, a discussion that ended in the ratification of the Workplan. There was great discussion around the governance initiatives.

The executive members of the SWP held a meeting on March 24th and 25th in Prince Albert. As the TC to receive an update on activities since the last executive sub-committee meeting. We reviewed the 2001 - 2002 Métis Women's Perspectives Tripartite Workplan that was submitted to the MNS Tripartite Unit. The executive had productive discussions and also found that the review of the Workplan gave the sub-committee a better understanding of the deliverables in each of the quarters. As an ongoing process the SWP will be developing a strategic plan that will be attached to the Workplan that assist the Métis Women in meeting the deliverables.

Northern Project:

Bev Laliberte is the representative of the SWP for the Northern Project initiative. Bev has reported that there was a meeting held in Ile-a-la-Crosse on January 9th, 2001. At this meeting Bev put forth the question of what is the role of the Métis Women on the Northern Project, and requested further information from the representative of the Northwest Saskatchewan Municipalities Association, one of the two partners in the Northern Project along with the Northwest Saskatchewan Metis Council. It was suggested that the Métis women might be interested in the current justice programs and committees. Bev also indicated that the SWP would like to work with the Northern Project to get involved with the police boards. It was also suggested that the SWP may need to consider having two representatives participate in the Northern Project initiative. It was suggested that possibly there should be a women representative from each of the two regions on the northwest side. Bev also stated that the women are not interested in the political level of the Northern Project, but rather are more interested in educating themselves and looking for employment.

Métis Urban Governance

Kim Laliberte is the SWP representative for this initiative. Kim expressed a concern over the lack of communication at the women's level. Kim feels that as far as a role for the women on this initiative there has been no impact for the women as there has been no inclusion for participation. Kim feels that the women need to go back and look at the goals of the Métis urban governance, then look at how the SWP can participate in a meaningful way, perhaps by lobbying the Ministers responsible for the Métis urban governance initiative to allow SWP to become more actively involved. We need to make it clear to the urban councils that the Métis women only want the opportunity to represent Métis women within the province and to ensure equitable participation. Back in December 2000, I had the opportunity to speak to the Minister of the urban governance initiative and expressed the womens' concerns of not being fully included. The then Minister Wayne Trotchie assured the women that the Metis Urban Council of Saskatchewan would work with the Métis Women representative and that it was important to work together.

Métis Rural Governance

The Métis Women's Perspectives representative for this initiative is myself, MaryAnn Gagnon. There has been no sub-committee meeting for this initiative in this quarter. As the representative of this initiative I will need to engage in more discussions with the SWP to look at how we will participate in this initiative.

Justice Stand Alone TaskForce

Karen Trotchie is the Métis Women's Perspective representative on the Justice Stand Alone Taskforce Initiative. Karen has indicated that there has been no movement in this initiative. There was been no sub-committee meetings scheduled during this quarter. Karen made contact with the Minister responsible for this initiative and feels that this initiative is very important. She has expressed the need to implement justice programs and services for our women and youth. We need to address some of the justice issues that are presently effecting our youth.

Economic Development Stand Alone Taskforce

MaryAnn Gagnon is the representative on the Economic Development Standalone Taskforce initiative. There have been no sub-committee meetings called yet. Again the Métis women feel this initiative is a very important initiative. We feel that women play an important role in the economics of our communities and should have full participation at the discussion tables.

The topic of ongoing education tool being utilized by the SWP needs ongoing attention and support. As I mentioned in the past there needs to be more education given on a community level to gather feedback from the women at a community level. Increasing awareness and understanding remain the challenge. The negotiations must be ongoing. The Métis Women have put a lot of energy into this work and are becoming more and more clear of their roles within each of the governance initiatives. We are pleased with the work that has been accomplished to date and, most importantly, to have the support of the Tripartite Management Committee.