The Manitoba Metis Federation is planning to open up shop in Flin Flon.
In a video message posted to the MMF website July 29, president David Chartrand mentioned that the group is working on buying a building in Flin Flon in order to set up an MMF office within the community. Chartrand discussed the MMF’s latest cabinet meeting, held July 23-24, which included discussion on new local offices including the Flin Flon project.
“In Flin Flon, we’re finalizing the construction of that building and we’ll be hiring,” said Chartrand.
Metis people in Flin Flon are currently part of The Pas region, along with people from as far north as Sherridon to as far south as Mafeking.
The MMF has recently finished construction on a local office in Churchill and is wrapping up construction on an office and day care in Duck Bay. A new local office will be built in Wabowden, which will feature a new building with construction set to start later this summer.
Along with the construction will be a hiring blitz to staff the offices and daycare. In the video message, Chartrand confirms that the MMF will be hiring people in the communities where new offices and projects are being built.
“Be prepared - they’ll be coming right into your neighbourhood,” Chartrand said.
“What’s so important about these programs is that they’re local level. Where our people have challenges many times, whether it’s with their income tax, their Employment Insurance, with child welfare or dealing with their citizenship or personal matters where they may need guidance and assistance, we’re going to have our people trained to try and address many issues you may face at home so you don’t have to travel great distances - you can have a local citizen serving you right in your community.”
Through the MMF’s ongoing housing program, the group also plans to build nine new houses in Portage la Prairie, a six-unit housing development in St. Boniface and five homes in Selkirk for Metis families.
