Sask. Métis representatives denied entry to swearing-in ceremony

WATCH: Re-elected members of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan Provincial Council were turned away from Tuesday’s swearing in ceremony by security.

Re-elected members of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan Provincial Council were turned away from Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony.

The representatives were suspended from duty in a move some citizens are calling undemocratic.

“Corruption is screaming as loud as it can,” said one Métis citizen.

Western Region 2 regional director Sherry McLennan and Western Region 3 regional director Wendy Gervais were denied entry to the June 24 swearing-in ceremony.

The council members are calling for answers from leadership regarding the suspension of the two regional directors.

A statement from Métis Nation Saskatchewan says the council members had violated the respectful workplace policy and questioned CEO Richard Quintal’s Métis heritage on a public forum in November 2024.

“This came after an investigation that we maintained was procedurally flawed and conducted without our participation,” said McLennan.

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The two representatives were told to apologize to Quintal before they could resume their duties.

Métis citizens in attendance at McLennan and Gervais’ June 26 press conference were not happy with the nation.

“When we send our delegate, the person that we allow to go in and support us and ask those questions we need to, and to have something like this done to our delegate is absolutely wrong,” aid one of the attendees following the press conference.

“Thinking about what type of precedent we’re setting,” said another attendee. “How are we respecting processes, and what do these legislations and constitutions mean if we don’t follow them?”

“There is absolutely no reason for our representatives not to be at that table if they were voted in,” another Métis citizen told CTV. “It’s called democracy.”

McLennan and Gervais maintain this course of action by Métis Nation Saskatchewan does not line up with its constitution.

“The Michif way is about coming to the table,” said Gervais. “It’s about having those good debates, you know, having those discussions because that’s how we grow. It’s not about coming to the table and everybody putting their hand up in agreement, even though they’re not agreeing to what’s going on.”

CTV News reached out to Métis Nation Saskatchewan, but the involved parties were unavailable for an interview.