Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, please. Thank you for the question. What the Métis government in Manitoba wants—the Red River Métis—is ongoing funding. We're looking at A-base funding, constant funding, where we don't have to go back. We don't want partial agreements. We don't want one-year or two-year

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, I also just want to make a comment. The question she was asking was about the reason Red River Métis citizens have been neglected by the Indian Act. If you look at the historical policies and you look at what's in place today, I think they're continuing to do that. When you

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The PDP program is a prescription drug program that was initiated by the Manitoba Métis Federation. At our annual general assembly, after we found out all the research and everything that came through, we asked our citizens across the province of Manitoba what we could do to hel

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We're presently working with the federal government to come up with a plan. However, for all of the programming that we presently do the funding comes from our internal economic build. We're also looking at a tripartite solution where we work with the province, the federal govern

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I don't speak French so I probably need some assistance regarding the question. I would like to apologize now for that.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We're a Métis government, not an association or a department. We represent all Métis who have ties to the Red River Métis as per our definition.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, we represent them. We have direct contact with our local chair there, whose name is Lloyd Flett. We have seven regions across the province of Manitoba, and Lloyd Flett is part of the Thompson region. We represent all Métis citizens, regardless of where they live.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes. I can answer that question. No, we're not similar to first nations. We have our own language, our own culture and our own beliefs. You are absolutely right regarding first nation reserves and Métis communities. First nation reserves get access to all the programming and hea

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's compared to the whole population. You probably know Dr. Judith Bartlett. She led the file and she led the research when we did the Métis atlas in 2010.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Ours is worse. In fact, when we look at the research—we have a shorter version on our line—it's comparable to everyone. Our heart disease, our diabetes and our arthritis were higher than for any—even first nations—citizens across the province of Manitoba.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Not only first nations people, but I would say we don't get any health benefits compared to any citizens in the province of Manitoba and across Canada.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Okay. We are prepared to work with Canada at the technical level on the negotiation of agreements and participate in the development and promotion of health legislation that will ensure that our elders and vulnerable Métis citizens have the health services they require. Thank

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to thank you for allowing the Manitoba Métis Federation to speak here today. We are looking forward to this study on indigenous peoples' access to the non-insured benefits program and are excited to start a conversation on improving the he