MEDIA ADVISORY - Métis National Council prepares for General Assembly and
National Election

OTTAWA, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - The Métis National Council is hosting its 2010 General Assembly on December 11 & 12, 2010 in Saskatoon, SK.

Media are invited to attend opening ceremonies at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday in which delegates will hear from the Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff, Saskatchewan Minister of Indian and Métis Relations and His Worship, Mayor Don Atchison.

Delegates from across the Métis Nation homeland from Ontario to British Columbia will also be voting for a National President.  Once the votes are cast and the winner is announced, media are invited for a scrum at 2:00 p.m.

What:	The Métis National Council (MNC)  General Assembly
Who:	Media scrum with newly elected MNC President
When:	2 p.m. Saturday, December 11, 2010
Where:	Saskatoon Inn Hotel Ballroom B 2002 Airport Drive Saskatoon, SK

(See agenda attached)

The MNC represents the Métis Nation in Canada at the national and international level. The Métis Nation's homeland includes the 3 Prairie Provinces and extends into Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the northern United States. There are approximately 350,000 - 400,000 Métis Nation citizens in Canada, roughly a quarter of all Aboriginal peoples in the country.

Agenda

Métis National Council 2010 General Assembly
Saskatoon Inn
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
December 11 & 12, 2010

Registration & Reception: Friday, December 10, 2010
5:00 pm	Registration - Foyer, Courtyard Room
6:00 pm	Reception - Courtyard Room
Day One: Saturday, December 11, 2010 - Ballroom B
8:00 am	Registration - Foyer Ballroom B
9:00 am	Opening Prayer • Senator Nora Cummings Welcoming Remarks • Robert Doucette, President, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan • Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations • Mayor Don Atchison
	Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair
	Roll Call of Assembly Delegates
	Approval of Agenda
	Appointment of Resolutions Committee Appointment of Election Committee
10:00 am	State of the Nation Address • Clément Chartier, President, Métis National Council
10:30 am	Health Break
10:45 am	Approval of 2009 General Assembly Minutes (November 21-22, 2009)
11:15 am	Delegate Statements
12:00 pm	LUNCH BREAK
1:00 pm	Overview of Elections Process and Voting Nomination of Candidates Candidates Speeches
1:30 pm	Voting
2:00 pm	Announcement of Election Results Acceptance Speech
2:15 pm	Updates from Governing Members • Métis Nation of Ontario • Manitoba Métis Federation • Métis Nation - Saskatchewan • Métis Nation of Alberta • Métis Nation British Columbia Update from Women of the Métis Nation
3:00 pm	Health Break
3:15 pm	Updates Continued
4:00 pm	Meeting Adjourns Closing Prayer - Senator Nora Cummings
5:30 pm	Transportation to Banquet
6:00 pm	DINNER BANQUET in Honour of Métis Veterans ASTRA HALL - Royal Canadian Air Force Association 2407 Avenue C North, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 6T1
Day Two:  Sunday, December 12, 2010 - Ballroom B
9:00 am	Opening Prayer - Senator Nora Cummings Governance • Constitutional Reform • Questions & Discussion
10:15 am	Health Break
10:30 am	Finance & Administration Report and Appointment of Auditor • David Chartrand, MNC Minister for Finance & Administration • Andrew Foreman, Andrews & Co., Auditor
11:00 am	Update on Métis Litigation: Overview and Update for 2010 • Jason Madden, JTM Law • Questions & Discussion
12:00 pm	LUNCH BREAK
1:00 pm	Update on Métis Litigation: Overview on Métis Identity Issues • Kathy Hodgson-Smith, Hodgson-Smith Law • Questions & Discussion
1:30 pm	Duty to Consult Jason Madden, JTM Law Kathy Hodgson-Smith, Hodgson-Smith Law • Questions & Discussion
2:30 pm	Health Break
2:45 pm	Truth & Reconciliation Commission
3:15 pm	Resolutions
4:30 pm	Closing Prayer • Senator Nora Cummings

For further information: For further information:

Robert McDonald, MNC - Manager of Political & Public Affairs
[phone] or [phone] mobile
www.metisnation.ca