OTTAWA 鈥� The M茅tis National Council says it has elected a new president after months of turmoil that saw the once-united organization splinter and have its legitimacy questioned.
In a news release, the council announced Victoria Pruden will be its new president, replacing Cassidy Caron, whose term expired in September.
The M茅tis National Council has been in a state of flux after the Manitoba M茅tis Federation pulled out of the organization in 2021, followed by the recent departures of the M茅tis Nation of Saskatchewan and the M茅tis Nation of British Columbia.
It's unclear who was heading the council before the election, and the only two remaining members are the M茅tis Nation of Alberta and the M茅tis Nation of Ontario.
The M茅tis National Council says Pruden will work toward advancing the rights and aspirations of M茅tis across the homeland.
It adds the council will continue to fulfil the vision of its ancestors while paving the way for future generations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2024.
Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
