Glen McCallum facts for kids

Glen McCallum is a Métis politician. He was first elected to serve as President of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan on 27 May 2017 and was re-elected on 29 May 2021. He is from Pinehouse, Saskatchewan.

McCallum served as the area director for Northern Region III from 2012 to 2017. In 2017, McCallum was elected to be President of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. During his term as president, McCallum has advanced Métis rights and signed agreements with the Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan, and various municipal governments in Saskatchewan. He has also worked with other Indigenous governments in Saskatchewan to provide programs and supports for the COVID-19 pandemic. He was successful in having government funding restored to the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan after the funding had been pulled in October 2014.

Prior to entering Métis politics, McCallum worked as a counsellor providing addictions and recovery programs in Saskatoon, SK and his home community of Pinehouse.

Professional work

Recovery Lake

McCallum helped his brother, Leonard, to establish the addictions program at Recovery Lake in 1987, which is located at Muskwa Lake, 20 km west of Pinehouse. The programs at Recovery Lake were grounded in identity, culture, values, and languages, as is based on eight principles:

• Trust
• Respect
• Feeling
• Caring
• Tolerance
• Understanding
• Acceptance
• Forgiveness

Building a Nation

In 1998, McCallum, working with Dr. Tom Hengen from the University of Saskatchewan, founded Building A Nation Family Healing Centre, Inc. in 1998, and McCallum served as president of Building A Nation and worked as a counsellor associate for 12 years. Building a Nation was a culturally sensitive and competent mental health program located in Saskatoon's west side core neighbourhood. The programs offered at Building a Nation incorporated the Medicine Wheel as a teaching tool, and provided a blend of traditional and western-based support services to the clients. The services provided were in stark contrast to many of the services provided at the time because they recognized the falsehoods of the "Indian problem" narrative and the negative impacts of cultural genocide on Indigenous people though residential schools and attempts at forced assimilation. The services provided included clinical and traditional counselling services, crisis services, personal development programs, as well as assistance programs with child custody, justice system, and social assistance in support of individuals and specific interest groups. Much of the programming was developed to use the Medicine Wheel as a teaching and assessment tool.

In 1999, Building a Nation established a 10-week youth-oriented theatre production program called Circle of Voices that went on to become the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre (formerly known as the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company). This program was designed to help youth to develop their theatrical talent through story telling, providing healing through art and giving them an opportunity to tell about their struggles towards a healthy lifestyle.

Building a Nation also established the Building A Nation Training Institute, Inc. as a registered private vocational school that provided a counselling training program called Medicine Wheel Counselling and Case Management.

The clientele served by Building a Nation were 90% Indigenous, and there were an estimated 1,000 active client files every year, with an even higher number of people being served thought nuclear and extended family members connected to the individual files.

Build our Nation, Canada, as a community of citizens living in the spirit of a "cultural mosaic" in harmony together. Our logo portrays this. Our company’s structure, comprised of First Nations, Métis, and mainstream people demonstrates this. It is our purpose to honour real differences as gifts of diversity and to achieve harmony and integrity by commitment to common goals.

—Building a Nation mission statement, 1998

Northern Village of Pinehouse

McCallum served as the Director of Social Development for Pinehouse.

Presidency of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan

The governance of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan has been an ongoing concern that Glen McCallum worked to address, with a goal of ensuring that there is good governance and a strong government.

Leading up to the 2017 general election, "Métis [were] battling Métis, each in the name and for the purported good of Métis Nation – Saskatchewan," with "their genesis in political struggles to control [Métis Nation—Saskatchewan]," "factions each [claiming] the [Métis Nation—Saskatchewan] Constitution and the path of righteousness are on their side," and "[polite] words [were used to] mask less cooperative sentiments." The Hon.

McCallum, recognizing that "A president has to work with his government in order for things to move smoothly forward and have a listening ear in planning together in regards to where we go," ran on a platform in 2017 of building good governance, effective administration, and a strong government.

Restoring federal funding and establishing government offices

The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan had lost federal funding on 1 November 2014 due to a lack of Provincial Métis Council meetings and the inability to hold a properly and duly called session of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly. The funding, provided through a Basic Organizational Capacity agreement, was halted until the 2017 general election.

The federal funding was reinstated a few days after the general election, which followed a Métis Nation Legislative Assembly and General Assembly earlier in 2017.

During the period where the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan was without funding, offices were closed, assets had been sold to help cover expenses, and the finances were put under third-party management. A transition team was brought in that included Richard Quintal, a federal official seconded to the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, and former Saskatchewan MLA and Minister of Health Louise Simard, among others, both of whom remained at Métis Nation—Saskatchewan after the transition period was over to help build strong and accountable governance in the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan government.

Advancing Métis self-government

In his role as president, Glen McCallum has worked to advance the rights of Métis, including self-government. During his term as the Area Director for Northern Region III of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, McCallum was a signatory to the Canada-Metis Nation Accord. Following his election as president, McCallum was a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding on Advancing Reconciliation, the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation, and the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement. These agreements establish the process by which the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation negotiate on a nation-to-nation, government-to-government basis on matters such as recognition of Métis rights, addressing unresolved claims and grievances, access resources for programs and service delivery, and advance recognition of self-government.

Land claims

The matter of Métis title is an ongoing matter. On 1 March 1994, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan filled a major land claim in the Court of Queen's Bench in Saskatoon. This land claim covered 145,000 km², and claimed ownership and jurisdiction over the lands and resources in that area, as well as compensation for being deprived of the land and resources and the destruction of the environment in the land claim area. The land claim was filed as a test case for Saskatchewan, with the goal of further land claims across Saskatchewan. In the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation, the 1994 Land Claim is explicitly stated as a priority in the negotiations between Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada in the preamble.

To help move matters such as the North West Métis Land Claim forward, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan retained lawyer Thomas Isaac. Isaac, who is the Ministerial Special Representative on Métis s. 35 Rights to Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett, has extensive experience in Aboriginal law in Canada, including advising the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada on negotiations for the South Slave region, serving as an assistant deputy minister in Northwest Territories during the establishment of Nunavut, and being part of other treaty and land settlement negotiations across Canada.

In February 2020, McCallum announced that Métis Nation—Saskatchewan would be contributing $750,000 to advance mapping processes that are pertinent in discussions with the Government of Canada to address outstanding Métis land claims in Saskatchewan.

Competing Northwest Saskatchewan land claim

On 16 October 2019, Métis National Council President, Clément Chartier, in collaboration with former Métis Nation—Saskatchewan President Jim Durocher and several others, filed a competing Métis land claim in Saskatoon, SK that covered a large area of Northwest Saskatchewan and Northeast Alberta, including most if not all of the 1994 North West Saskatchewan Land Claim. This land claim was not filed through the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and Métis Nation of Alberta, despite both being governing members of the Métis National Council and the recognized governing bodies of the Métis in their respective provinces.

Subsequently, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan filed a complaint with the Law Society of Saskatchewan and asked the court to strike the competing land claim. Chartier had previously represented Métis Nation—Saskatchewan on the 1994 land claim, and the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan argued that these actions by Chartier were a direct conflict of interest by acting against their interests as his former client in violation of s.3.4-10 of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct. President McCallum argued that "Any other person that wants to pursue another way of doing things totally, in my view, undermines our government [the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan]. If I did that with a provincial government or federal government, then I would be dealt with in a way to wake me up in regards to the rules and the laws of this country." Chartier recognized that the complaint with the law society against him might be successful. As of 28 April  2021 (2021 -04-28)^[update], the matter has not been resolved.

Tri-Council

On 27 June 2019, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Métis Nation of Ontario signed Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements with The Crown that recognized the Métis inherent right of self-government and established a process by which self-government would be established.

As the three Métis governments began working towards the requirements of the Agreements, they established an informal structure of intergovernmental meetings of the three governments to advance their collective efforts on implementing the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements. This helped the three governments to cooperate on shared issues outside of the dysfunctional structure that had developed in the Métis National Council.

Partnership with Canadian Geographic for Future of Michif program

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and Canadian Geographic magazine signed an agreement to launch The Future of Michif Program, which is a $1.8 million multi-platform engagement program, and work together on preserving the Michif language. While Michif is the most widely spoken Métis language, it is endangered and at risk of going extinct as other Métis languages, including Bungi and Brayet, have already gone extinct. The Future of Michif Program approached the objectives of the program in two main ways: highlighting and celebrating Métis culture and the Michif language through media, and to build capacity to educate and inspire future generations of Métis about Métis culture, heritage, and language, especially Michif.

Batoche National Historic Site

Batoche is a site of historic and cultural significance to Métis. One of the communities of the Southbranch Settlement, Batoche was the site of the capital of the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan and the Exovedate governing council as part of the North-West Resistance, culminating in the Battle of Batoche on 9–12 May 1885.

On 18 December 2020, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and Parks Canada signed an agreement to open a sub-table under the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation to discuss and explore the full range of options about the future management of the Batoche National Historic Site.

Constitutional reform

At the April 2019 Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, a motion was passed mandating that a process of constitutional reform for the Constitution of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. This process involved broad consultations across Saskatchewan, including consultation with Métis citizens, Métis Nation Legislative Assembly members, and subject-matter experts, with the goal of updating the Constitution to better reflect the changes in Métis Nation—Saskatchewan governance and building a stronger government based on Métis values, traditions, and culture.

Judicial Tribunal of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan

As a part of the constitutional reform process, the process of establishing a judicial tribunal was undertaken. At the 2018 General Assembly following the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, a motion was passed to start the process of establishing a judicial tribunal for Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. In the original governance structure, the Senate of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan served as the judicial arm of the government, but the judicial role of the Senate was removed in 2008. Following the motion, a process of consultations on establishing a judicial tribunal was undertaken, and a report was presented to the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly.

Registry

Structuring the Central Registry of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan has presented challenges. As presented in her 2001 report, Marilyn Poitras highlighted the past difficulties of ensuring Métis citizens were accurately verified, recorded, and enumerated. The Senate of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan was originally responsible for overseeing the operations of the Central Registry, but the oversight of the Central Registry was transferred to the Provincial Métis Council in 2008.

Following transfer of oversight of the Central Registry to the Provincial Métis Council, the oversight was assigned to a minister for the Central Registry. In 2020, there was a cabinet shuffle that eliminated the Minister of the Central Registry, and at the 2021 Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Citizenship Act was amended to separate the Central Registry from the political structure of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan.

When federal funding was restored to Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, the Central Registry re-opened and an office was established. At the time that the Central Registry re-opened in September 2017, a total of 4,430 card numbers had been issued to citizens. As of 26 January  2021 (2021 -01-26)^[update], the Central Registry had 11,628 registered eligible citizens, from a total of 17,112 applications in-progress (3,640), completed (13.528), or denied (1,153).

Election reform

In 2018, the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly amended the Saskatchewan Métis Elections Act 2007 to provide the option of, when a vacancy develops in the Executive or Provincial Métis Council, calling a by-election or suspending the need for a by-election and allowing election of a person in accordance with the Constitution of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan as an interim to remain in that office until the following election.

At the 2019 Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, a series of resolutions were passed that clarified eligibility to vote and to seek nomination for office in an election. These resolutions required that anyone wishing to vote in any Métis Nation—Saskatchewan election or wanting to seek nomination for office must be a verified citizen of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan or be in the process of obtaining their citizenship.

The Saskatchewan Métis Elections Act 2007 was further amended in February 2021 by the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly to incorporate the resolutions from November 2019 and to make additional necessary changes to better align with best legislative practices and ensure that a more fair and transparent election would be held.

Housing supports

Métis Nation—Saskatchewan established housing financial support programs. These programs included the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan First-Time Home Buyers Program and the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Emergency Repair Program.

On 23 April 2021, Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) Métis Local 165 held a sod-turning ceremony to start construction on the Round Prairie Elders’ Lodge. Métis Nation—Saskatchewan provided $1.5 million in funding through Western Region IIa Regional Council and the Ministry of Housing as part of the Regional Housing Strategy and the Canada-Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord.

Duty to Consult

On 9 September 2020, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan filled a claim against NexGen Energy Ltd. The claim argued that NexGen was in breach of its obligations under the Study Agreement the two parties had signed, including the obligation to negotiate an Impact benefit Agreement, and to ask the court to prevent NexGen from filing regulatory filings for the establishment of a uranium mine in Northern Region II.

Shortly after filing the claim against NexGen Energy Ltd., Métis Nation—Saskatchewan sued the Government of Saskatchewan, claiming that the province in failing in its obligations to properly consult with Métis with respect to harvesting, land use, and commercial activities, and that the 2010 First Nation and Métis Consultation Policy Framework does not recognize assertions that Métis title to land and resources continue to exist and fails to uphold the Honour of the Crown. Métis Nation—Saskatchewan asked the court to declare that the 2010 policy is invalid and reliance on the policy allows the province to avoid its duty to consult and accommodate.

Memoranda of Understanding

During his term as president, McCallum signed several memoranda of understanding to advance various matters of interest to Métis citizens.

Métis harvesting rights

On 18 December 2019, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and the Government of Saskatchewan recommitted to a memorandum of understanding that had been signed 10 November 2010. This memorandum of understanding was to negotiate recognition of Métis harvesting rights in Saskatchewan. The 2010 memorandum of understanding had been suspended in 2012 due to lack of capacity in the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, but governance capacity had been rebuilt to allow the negotiations to continue.

University of Saskatchewan

Recognizing the inherent right and importance of education for Métis people, on 18 November 2019 the University of Saskatchewan and Métis Nation—Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of understanding to advance strategies for improving access and completion for Métis to post-secondary education and increasing the Métis presence on campus.

Health and cancer strategies

Métis Nation—Saskatchewan signed memoranda of understanding with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and researchers in the University of Saskatchewan Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. The purpose of these memoranda were to better understand and support Métis people who are affected by cancer.

Saskatchewan Health Authority

At the 2018 Back to Batoche festival, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Métis Nation—Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum established a framework for the two parties to work together to promote good health and to improve wellness outcomes for Métis people.

Saskatchewan School Boards Association

In the spirit of advancing reconciliation and ensuring inclusion of Métis content in curriculum, as well as increasing success for Métis youth, the Saskatchewan School Board Association and Métis Nation—Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of understanding to commit to working together to ensure that Métis are fully able to participate in all aspects of the education system and enhance student success.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Saskatchewan "F" Division

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Métis Nation—Saskatchewan agreed to a protocol with the goal of resolving disputes in Métis communities, prevent incidents and the escalation of violence, and improve access to culturally appropriate training for police members.

Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School

Métis and First Nations youth were sent to the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding school, a part of the Canadian Indian residential school system, which left a legacy that has affected Métis citizens for generations. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, and The Crown to start exploratory discussions towards establishing a formal dialogue to address the legacy of the Boarding School for Métis people.

National parks and historic sites

Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and Parks Canada reached an agreement to provide free access starting 17 July 2020 to Métis Nation—Saskatchewan citizens for all Parks Canada administered locations in Saskatchewan, and the agreement will remain in effect until 31 March 20206 when it will be up for review and renewal. Métis Nation—Saskatchewan citizens will have free access to Grasslands National Park and Prince Albert National Park, as well as the National Historic Sites of Batoche, Fort Battleford, and Motherwell Homestead.

Personal

Addictions

..... This led his brother, Leonard, to establish an addictions program called Recovery Lake. .....

Family

Glen in married to Verna McCallum. His brother, Leonard, established the Recovery Lake program near Pinehouse.

Glen's father attended residential school in Beauval, Saskatchewan, and lost his foot at age 12 in a threshing accident. Both of Glen's parents drank, and there was violence and poverty at home growing up. ..... His mother died in 2020.

See also

• Métis Nation—Saskatchewan
• Métis National Council
• Métis Nation of Ontario
• Manitoba Métis Federation
• Métis Nation of Alberta
• Métis Nation British Columbia