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Minutes 
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.
Felice Callihoo, of St. Paul acting as Convenor. Request to assembly to select chairman resulted in the selection and unanimous approval of Mr. Callihoo, who took the chair.
J.P. Brady, St. Paul was nominated and appointed secretary.
J.F. Dion of the Credentials Committee then gave a report on the names of delegates present entitled to deliberate in the proceedings. Introduction of business was initiated by J.F. Dion, who addressed the meeting on the objects of the proposed organizations and gave a report of past activities and presented the agenda.
(J.F. Dion, Sec. Provisional Organization)
“In rising to address this meeting, I desire to extend our thanks to Mr. Felice Calihoo who so kindly opened the proceedings and to whose address we listened to with so much interest. I would like to thank him for his kind words with which he addressed the assembled delegates representing the Métis people of Alberta.
On behalf of our delegates from outside points I tender our most grateful thanks for the very warm welcome accorded us by our fellow Métis of St. Albert. It is very gratifying to see so many of our people assembled here today for our common purpose. I take this opportunity of thanking all those who have given such good service in the building up of our movement. I hope this meeting will go down in the history of the Métis struggle for a better existence, as a never to be forgotten event.
Representatives of nearly every half-breed settlement in Northern Alberta are gathered here today at the very feet of the statue Rev. Albert Lacombe, father and friend of the Métis to again repeat his plea of forty years ago. In one of his letters to the half-breeds (1895) he mentioned the deplorable condition in which the Métis people were living at that time. If he saw so much poverty and misery among his children then, what must be the conditions existent among the half-breeds of today.
I myself have seen a great deal of suffering among our people. I have had to apply for relief for many families. The heads of these families are willing to work but cannot find the employment that they used to before the development of this country into closely settled communities.
We feel this problem of relief could be done away with to a great extent if the Government would set aside portions of land as future homes of the half-breed people. Past experiences have taught us a very severe lesson and we will not fail if we are given a chance to vindicate ourselves.
As you are all aware, our movement is non-political and non-secretarial. We stand firmly against interference from any quarter. We feel we have a duty to perform toward our more unfortunate compatriots and on whose behalf we have here gathered today.
We are looked upon by many as an organization seeking benefits of an exorbitant nature. The history of our country shows that we have given service and sacrificed much in the upbuilding of the West. We have suffered as a result, but we do not forget that we are a responsible race and are prepared to ply our part in the up building of this country, Canada. We recognize that our dominion of old is gone forever, we can only look forward to the improvement of our social and economic condition. This is a problem, which has faced us for more than a generation. It was ably recognized by the government of a generation ago who gave our fathers SCRIP.
The mere fact of scrip issuance, the word of the Government of the Dominion of Canada, on paper, to redeem the said transferable note, did not guarantee Justice. Today we are all too familiar with the story, lack of education, inexperience of the ways and lives of the white speculators, investors in syndicates formed for the wholesale acquisition of scrip notes. The age-old story of exploitation. So today we find many of our Métis people reduced to pitiable circumstances. Our hope lies in voluntary organization. Our provisional branches comprise a large number of men, who with their families and friends can do much to improve our condition by giving their support to the Métis movement. For through co-operation and solidarity we shall find the right road for the solution of our problems.
We appreciate the assistance and encouragement that has been given us through the Department and individuals. The report of past activities for the provisional association will be presented to you in the General Convention Report, through your respective Branch officers. I think you will find that report satisfactory. As regards finances, as you are aware, each branch contributes a subscription to the Executive, but that in itself is not sufficient to carry the work. Many of our friends and sympathizers have contributed. I desire to express my thanks to all who have assisted soably. I therefore ask that you will give earnest consideration to the affairs of the Convention and a close study to the discussion of subjects pertaining to our work. Above all I know that you will each do as much in your power to strengthen our cause in the various parts of Alberta. For you all know that what brings everyone through great adventures is the will to win. It is the will to win that will solve our problems.”
Following this address Mr. F. Callihoo gave a short address urging the formation of an Association.
A motion favoring immediate formation was moved by T.H. Norris, seconded by George Belcourt and Joseph Cardinal. On being put to a division it was declared carried.
(F. Callihoo)
Whereas, at the first General Convention of the Métis people of Alberta, held in the Town of St. Albert, on the 28th day of December, 1932, we the representatives and delegates of the Métis people of Alberta gathered with the feeling and spirit that our efforts should be centered on activities conductive to the welfare of our Métis people of Alberta. And whereas our feelings were admirably expressed in the words of our presiding officer, F. Callihoo as follows.
“Our first objective and the one in which we have our deepest interest the one which more than anything else called our movement into being, is to see that adequate provision is made for homeless and destitute families, so for those who find it difficult to get along and support families and homes, to see that proper provision is made for the education of our children, also provision of a better system of medical attention.
No day passes but what we are not asked to help in these matters. Everyday brings new pleas for help to overcome present hardships and to see that our children are given equitable and fair chances. In my experience I know the experiences of all of you, and when we consider what the total of these necessities are, we are amazed that after so many years in the NorthWest, we are compelled, by necessity to ask for justice and the fulfillment of promises so freely given, when our land was opened to settlement.
Our aim is to see that no one be permitted to suffer, because of mala administration of the Métis question. The word “mala-administration” brings forcibly to my mind one of the great difficulties. Many of our Métis people suffering in circumstances which authorities refuse to admit arise from mishandling of the Métis problems.
Many are prone to lay the fault on the delinquency of the Métis which contributed to their present condition. To me a person takes a great deal on himself when he says that these conditions are attributable to the Métis entirely. That is a contention, which I say is made too often. The throwing of the native elements of the population into contact with the newer peoples has had a pernicious effect. Our reflect to heredity and environment has proved that we cannot live, endure and compete in settled communities, preponderantly white.”
(M.F. Norris)
The breakdown can be attributed mainly to lack of education and exploitation. As the years go by these cases become more numerous. Authorities of the future, change with the well being of the people, cannot be free from a change of callous indifference, unless this question be justly regarded. In this matter I feel that we the “Métis” people will have the sympathy of the entire people and I feel equally confident that the Department will welcome any assistance that is within our power to give, to enable them to deal fairly with this problem.
This matter of provision for our Métis people and justice for their dependents; that is an objective toward which we must strive and from which there must be no retreat.”
Inspired by these words the feeling is transmitted into form on the motion of T.H. Norris as follows: “Whereas, the representatives of the Métis people of Alberta, in conferences assembled at St. Albert this 28th day of December, 1932, should unite our efforts through the medium of a properly constituted Association. Therefore I move that we the delegates form a “Métis Association” for the benefit and use of the Métis of the Province of Alberta and the North West Territories. Seconded by George Belcourt and Joseph Cardinal.
Chairman: “I suggest that we give this Association the appleation of L’Association des Métis d’Albert et les Territores du Nord-Quest.”
The term “Métis” applies particularly to our people. The word “half-breed” is suggestive of a person of any mixed descent and to many is of an odious nature. I would suggest the adoption of the name posed in the minutes of the St. Paul Branch.
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