On September 14, the Red River Métis business community and Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) officials attended a meet and greet in support of Andrew Carrier. Currently on leave from his ministerial responsibilities at the MMF, Carrier is running for Member of Parliament in the federal riding of Portage-Lisgar.
Supporting their cabinet colleague in his candidacy were David Chartrand, President of the MMF and Ministers Mona Buors, Will Goodon, Jack Park and JoAnne Remillard. Also in attendance were Chief Glen Hudson of Peguis First Nation and Terry Nelson, councillor for Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation.
The MC for the evening was Jesse Vogan, owner and operator of Stanley Electrical and Mechanical, who recognized Darryl Overwater, owner of Point Douglas Auto Body and Derek Lamoureux, carpenter and contractor as well as Arnold Asham, entrepreneur and long-term owner of Grassroots News, who has maintained the independent publication that still distributes 20,000 copies every two weeks throughout Manitoba including Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Thompson and The Pas.
Photo: David Chartrand, President of the MMF, Arnold Asham, owner of Grassroots News, and Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services.
Member of Parliament Terry Duguid and Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services for Canada both spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of having Indigenous candidates running for federal office, and the value of the nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship with the Red River Métis.
In his remarks, Carrier acknowledged the attendees and spoke of his gratitude for their support.
“I was truly honoured to see so many people come out in support of my candidacy,” said Carrier. “I know that my family’s roots in the riding of Portage-Lisgar, coupled with my work as an elected official of the Métis government, will allow me to provide the needed understanding and support for the constituents of this riding.”
Photo: Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament, Andrew Carrier, and Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services.
MC Vogan spoke about the importance of partnerships with the Red River Métis business community, citing the Métis-focused procurement process of the MMF and emphasizing that it enables entrepreneurs like himself to progress from start ups to fully fledged companies, capable of competing in the open market. He also spoke about the distinction-based set asides in the federal procurement process, which ensures a minimum of 5% of the total value of contracts from federal departments and agencies are allocated to Indigenous businesses. Vogan spoke with conviction about the value of these procurement processes to his business and others like his, saying that it makes it possible for smaller businesses to compete with larger, more established companies.
“It was a great event, and I was proud to see these leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs come out in support of a Red River Métis candidate,” said President Chartrand. “I know their attendance was an expression of confidence in Andrew, as well as a demonstration of faith in the partnership of both the MMF and federal governments. Like the other attendees, I have tremendous respect for Andrew’s ability to represent his constituents, as he has throughout his time as an elected official of the MMF. Working together and supporting each other is fundamental to who we are as a nation, and it was wonderful to see our community come out and rally around Andrew.”