Métis Nation-Saskatchewan opens office and gallery in Ottawa
CBC
The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) has opened an office and retail space in Ottawa to create a stronger presence in the capital since removing itself from the Métis National Council in 2024.
Located in Byward Market, a busy tourist area near Parliament Hill, the 1,900-square-foot space opened its doors on Feb. 26.
The space, named "Le Magazaen," meaning "the store" in Michif, is designed both for meetings and as a retail store and gallery to showcase Métis artisans from Saskatchewan.
Richard Quintal, MN-S chief executive officer, calls it "a space where we can sit and meet with public officials, with elected officials, to be able to negotiate, talk about our priority areas, and continue the work of self-government."
Quintal said the inspiration for Le Magazaen came from the meeting places at general stores during the 1885 Northwest Resistance.
"It has a feel of an 1880s general store, where we're going to be able to sell our craftspeople and artisans' work from Saskatchewan, so that we can empower our artists and our craftspeople who live in community to make a living," he said.
Alongside the artwork of 16 Saskatchewan Métis artists, Le Magazaen also features a collection of loaned artwork from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
A major motivation to open the space came from the MN-S's desire to have a presence in Ottawa, particularly as it finalizes a self-government treaty with the federal government.
"We've expanded past needing the advocacy in Ottawa and having people do that for us, and so we need to have those discussions ourselves," Quintal said.
The Métis National Council, the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Métis Nation of Ontario all have offices in Ottawa.
During the last Parliament, opposition from groups in Ontario and Alberta to a bill recognizing the governments of the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Ontario and MN-S effectively stalled the legislation. MN-S pulled its support for the bill in April 2024, citing concerns with a "one-size-fits-all" approach.
MN-S then withdrew from the Métis National Council in September 2024.
The bill died after Parliament was dissolved in early 2025.
Jacinthe Goulet, a spokesperson for Crown-Indigenous Relations, said in a statement the department is working separately with each Métis government on "the next steps to advance their visions of self-determination and self-government."
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