MMF seeks to turn purchasing power away from U.S.

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Cutting trips to Las Vegas and Houston are just the beginning.

The Manitoba Métis Federation has spent the last two weeks reviewing its procurement activities, flagging United States-made products to look for alternatives. It’s also axing non-essential business travel to the U.S.

“We can’t allow a bully to come in here and use what he believes is political might to just demand from us that we’ll become the 51st state,” MMF president David Chartrand said.

Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports, signed an order on tariffs affecting Canadian steel and aluminum and mused about Canada becoming the 51st state.

The “fastest and most direct way” for the Métis government to show its disapproval is through not buying American products, Chartrand outlined in a newsletter memo to its citizens.

Roughly 135,000 Métis live in Manitoba. The federation encompasses 1,400 employees and wields “tens of millions of dollars” in purchasing power, Chartrand said Monday.

It’s unclear how much cash heads south of the border. The MMF has long emphasized procuring goods and services from local Métis-owned companies.

Still, MMF spending on U.S.-made products is in the millions, Chartrand said. He expects a report on his desk highlighting American purchases “soon.”

“We’re turning every rock … to see where and what we can do to strategically impact the United States as they’re trying to impact us,” he stated.

These aren’t easy decisions, he wrote in his memo: “We know this will affect local U.S. businesses before the impacts of our efforts can reach U.S. political leaders. American voters must tell Trump clearly that they cannot sustain the trade war he wants to begin.”

Change will be gradual. Many rural Métis homes use Starlink, billionaire (and top-level Trump adviser) Elon Musk’s internet company. The cost and effects of cutting ties aren’t yet researched, Chartrand shared as an example.

The MMF has begun discussions with community and industry partners to develop tariff-era strategies. Meanwhile, Red River Métis with businesses in the United States have contacted the federation about moving north, Chartrand said.

Tariffs aren’t the sole reason; it’s a race issue — some Métis people are fearing for their safety, Chartrand said.

The MMF is encouraging its citizens to buy Canadian.

“It’s not just Canadian sovereignty that’s at stake,” said Kelly Saunders, a Brandon University political science professor. “It’s the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous peoples, such as the Métis.”

The MMF likely feels “an extra sense of responsibility to Manitoba” amid comments of a 51st state, given Métis leader Louis Riel brought the province into confederation, Saunders added.

She’d like to see other government entities conduct procurement reviews. It could be more challenging for some, she noted.

Indigenous businesses on both sides of the international border may be harmed if Manitoba companies turn away from their U.S. counterparts, said Cassandra Woolever.

Around 10 per cent of sales from her wool capote and coat business, Métis Branded, are sold in the United States. She doesn’t import American materials; still, many Métis entrepreneurs source from southern First Nations “cousins.”

Buying locally can cost more, leading to higher prices for customers, Woolever explained.

“Our consumers don’t want to pay more because they’re also going through issues with their own financial situations,” she said. “(And) we’re already struggling as small businesses in this economy.

“My heart lies with other small businesses. It doesn’t matter if they’re American, Canadian, European.”

Donavan Robinson, a founder of Pop CoLab, is hoping for cross-border negotiation. The Métis entrepreneur and his wife have a shop within their Winnipeg creative studio for locally made products. They also operate Made Here, a downtown store selling Manitoba products.

Social media posts spotlighting local artisans have gained more traction recently, Robinson said.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Robinson said, considering the MMF’s procurement inspection. “I also believe in working with other countries … to bring economic prosperity around the world.”

U.S. tariffs could indirectly affect Pop CoLab: if companies’ budgets are tightened, spending on team-building activities like Pop could be slashed, Robinson forecast.

The MMF is represented on Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Council. It’s also working directly with members of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, Chartrand said.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com