Draft:Saskatoon Metis Local 126

Saskatoon Métis Local 126 is community-level body of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan government based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Western Region 2A. The local was established in approximately 1977 by Métis students at the University of Saskatchewan. The membership of Local 126 are Métis post-secondary students and Métis citizens in the Saskatoon metropolitan area.

History
Saskatoon Métis Local 126 was established in approximately 1977 as a local for Métis students at the University of Saskatchewan and as part of the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS, a precursor to Métis Nation—Saskatchewan). An early initiative of Local 126 was the establishment of a Native Studies program at the University of Saskatchewan.

Local 126 ceased operations sometime in the early 2000s, but was not dissolved. The Local was re-established in 2016.

Past president of Local 126 include Earl Cook, Robert Doucette, Randy Smith, Ed Harper, Rebecca Major, and Adam McInnes.

Mandate
In accordance with the Constitution of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, Local 126 has the responsibility or assisting in preparing the community for the assumption of Métis self-government, which includes land, where this is an objective. The mandate of the Saskatoon Métis Local 126 is to:
 * Grow the membership of the Saskatoon Métis Local 126;
 * Provide programs and services for Métis post-secondary students, staff, and faculty living in Saskatoon;
 * Engage in the development of social programs requested by the membership;
 * Expand the Métis cultural programming that is offered;
 * Provide equitable programming that addresses the social determinants of health;
 * Engage in land claims and duty to consult and accommodate processes that affect the members of the Local;
 * Engage in economic development activities to support the activities of the Local;
 * Improve the employability and employment preparedness of Métis people;
 * Advocate for recognition of Métis rights;
 * Work in collaboration with Indigenous people in Canada and around the world;
 * Conduct and participate in ethical research and knowledge translation that is meaningful and culturally safe; and
 * Promote and engage in strong environmental stewardship.

Supporting community
A strategic project of Local 126 is the establishment of Métis post-secondary student housing, which is a need identified by Métis post-secondary students.

A large part of the advocacy work on Local 126 is in support of post-secondary students. Local 126 works in collaboration with Métis Students of USask student group to engage with post-secondary students at the University of Saskatchewan.

Local 126 collaborates on research projects of interest to the Métis Nation, especially the Métis community in Saskatoon.