The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) is a nonprofit organization representing Métis people residing in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Originally established in 1996, it was one of the members of the Métis National Council until November 2024, and is recognized by both the provincial and federal governments as the representative for the Métis in the region.
The MNBC claims to represent over 27,000 registered members and advocates for over 98,000 British Columbia citizens who self-identify as Métis. It represents 39 'chartered communities', and has the stated mission of advocating for Métis rights in the province while providing programs and services to its members.
In 2021, the MNBC faced criticism from First Nation's in the province for their assertion of constitutionally protected aboriginal rights outside of the traditional Métis homeland.
History
Foundation: 2003–2006 The MNBC was established as a society on 23 October 1996 as the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia. They ratified their convention on 27 September 2003, becoming the Métis Nation British Columbia. In 2006 they signed the Métis Nation Relationship Accord with the provincial government, which would focus on health, housing, economic opportunities and education.
Disputes with First Nations In 2021, the BC First Nations Leadership Council, a group representing the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, issued a rejection of the Métis Nation British Columbia's report "A Tale of Two Nations: Highlighting the Inequities of the Treatment of the Métis in BC". The rejection opposed the report's attempt to assert constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights, and accused the Métis Nation British Columbia of attempting to exercise "self-determination and self-government on lands that are not their own, and are well outside of the Métis Homeland".
Departure from the Métis National Council: 2024 In October 2024, the Métis Nation British Columbia withdrew from the annual general meeting of the Métis National Council, citing issues with the governance structure following the departure of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan group's departure followed that of the Manitoba Métis Federation in 2021 over the same issue; the inclusion of the Métis Nation of Ontario and the lack of verification of their members' heritage.
On November 30, 2024, the MNBC voted to withdraw from the MNC completely, citing concerns that as the Métis Nation of Alberta, as the sole remaining founding member, held the absolute majority, they felt they were not represented. In April 2025, they signed a cooperation agreement with Métis Nation–Saskatchewan.
References
Further reading
Andrews, G. S. Metis Outpost Memoirs of the First Schoolmaster at the Metis Settlement of Kelly Lake, B.C., 1923-1925. Victoria, B.C., Canada: G.S. Andrews, 1985. Barkwell, Lawrence J., Leah Dorion, and Audreen Hourie. Métis legacy Michif culture, heritage, and folkways. Métis legacy series, v. 2. Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2006. Barkwell, Lawrence J., Leah Dorion and Darren Prefontaine. "Metis Legacy: A Historiography and Annotated Bibliography". Winnipeg: Pemmican Publications Inc. and Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2001. Desjarlais, N. Colin. The Rights of the Métis in British Columbia. Vancouver: Native Programs, Legal Services Society of British Columbia, 1995. Evans, Mike. What It Is to Be a Métis The Stories and Recollections of the Elders of the Prince George Métis Elders Society. Prince George, BC: UNBC Press, 1999. Goulet, George and Goulet, Terry. The Metis in British Columbia: From Fur Trade Outposts to Colony. Vancouver, BC & Calgary, AB: FabJob, 2008. Inkster, Rene. The Métis of British Columbia Fundamental Reading and Writing Exercises. [Victoria]: BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology, 2001. Point, Leona. Metis People of Quesnel People of Mixed Heritage Living in the North Cariboo of British Columbia. Quesnel, B.C.: Quesnel Tillicum Society], 1994.
External links Métis Nation British Columbia official website