Métis federation strongly supported, poll shows

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This article was published 04/10/2021 (1813 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Alexander Hupé is a strong supporter of the Manitoba Metis Federation and it makes sense — the organization helped him buy his house.

Hupé, because of his income at the time, qualified for the MMF program, which gives first-time home buyers a down payment of five per cent of the home purchase price up to a maximum of $15,000.

“I wouldn’t be living there today — I would not be a homeowner without this program,” said Hupé on Friday.

“Yes, I support the MMF. The MMF help the Métis people with programs like this. The MMF is big on supporting and providing assistance of all different kinds.”

Hupé is not alone in his support.

A recently released multi-year survey by Probe Research, which questioned 514 Indigenous adults between July 27 and Aug. 25, shows the MMF has the strongest support of Indigenous governance organizations by Indigenous peoples.

But the same Indigenous Voices survey, the eighth one taken by Probe since 2004, also finds that the faith of Indigenous people in the provincial and federal governments is at its lowest point since 2007.

The survey found the MMF is supported by almost half of Métis people who also believe the MMF is generally on the right track. Another 44 per cent say they are neutral on the question while seven per cent say the MMF is not helpful.

This support is much higher than what is seen by First Nations people and their feelings towards both the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and to their own chief and council.

Only one in five First Nations people or 19 per cent, feel the AMC is helpful while one in four, or 24 per cent, believe their chief and council is helpful. The AMC is also considered unhelpful by 20 per cent of respondents while chief and council is considered not helpful by 26 per cent.

But Probe’s Mary Agnes Welch said the numbers should still have AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas scratching his head. Dumas wasn’t available for comment.

“So many people are in the middle — 61 per cent say they have no strong opinion either way,” said Welch.

“If you are Grand Chief Dumas, it is hard to know what to make of it. The same number say you’re helpful as not helpful and the rest are in the middle.

“But the MMF is seen as the most helpful to its members.”

It is even worse for the provincial and federal governments.

The survey found only eight per cent believe the provincial government is helping Indigenous people while 11 per cent say the same for the federal government.

The results continue a downward slide for both governments since 2008-09’s survey, which pegged the provincial government at 25 per cent and the federal government at 19 per cent.

Hupé said he actually had saved enough for a down payment, but the bank rejected his application for a mortgage because he didn’t have someone who could co-sign it.

It’s a story MMF president David Chartrand heard many times in the past — and he says the very same thing happened to him when he was about 23.

“I was saving money to buy a house,” said Chartrand.

“I had my down payment and I went to the bank. They asked me for a co-signer and said they couldn’t give me a mortgage until then. I didn’t know anyone.

“It took me six more years of saving to buy a house.”

Chartrand said it is help and support like this that translates into people appreciating the MMF.

“Progress is happening — more people are being served,” he said.

“We run a lot of businesses, too. We are on the right path to truth and reconciliation, but we still have a long, long way to go. Our journey has been hard, but we have made tangible and practical change.”

Hupé said as long as he stays in his home for 10 years, the MMF will forgive and discharge the down payment loan he received. But that part will be easy.

“I like the house, I like the neighbourhood. It’s a great house and a great neighbourhood.

“And I like the MMF.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca