Audrey Poitras
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Audrey Mae Poitras has served as President of the Métis Nation of Alberta since 1996, the first female in that position. She also serves as Vice-President on the Canadian Métis National Council.
Her home town is Elk Point, Alberta, and she currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta.
She also joined the Board of the Canadian Executive Service Organization in 2004.[1]
Audrey Poitras is one of the highest profile Métis women in Canada. From her early days in the small community of Elk Point in northeastern Alberta until today, Audrey remains a champion of the rights of Métis in this country. From Métis identity to Métis rights and recognition, Audrey remains a key figure among Canada’s political leaders. In the summer of 2005 she was recognized as one of the 50 most influential people in Alberta
Audrey was a successful business owner prior to her first election in 1996. She emphasized the true meaning of commitment.
Audrey’s career in provincial Métis politics began in 1996 when she was elected to lead the Métis Nation of Alberta, as its first female President. Her leadership direction was reinforced in 1999, 2002, and again in 2005 when she was elected to her fourth consecutive term as President of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
Under her leadership, the Métis Nation of Alberta continues to be a model of success in representing and pursuing the social, political, and economic interests of the Métis people in Alberta. In addition, the credibility of the Métis Nation of Alberta continues to increase, as evidenced by activities over the past 10 years with Audrey Poitras at the helm.
One year later, in 2004, the President of the Métis Nation of Alberta completed negotiations and signed the historic Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement with Alberta, the first agreement in the country to deliver harvesting rights to Métis. The Harvesting Agreement continues to be developed with a goal of creating a Métis system of managing Métis harvesters.
The cornerstone of the agreement is set upon the integrity of the MNA Registry. It includes a rigorous membership process aligned with the National Definition of Métis, which was adopted by Métis at the Annual General Assembly in 2004. Under Audrey’s leadership, we are witness to the rise of the Métis Nation. The profile of the Métis Nation of Alberta continues to increase steadily, inviting a growing number of Métis to come home to our Nation.
Audrey Poitras has guided the MNA through 10 exciting years of transition. The MNA is now a recognized Nation with Aboriginal rights and is responsible for the ongoing delivery of programs and services aimed at improving the lives of Métis in Alberta.
Under Audrey Poitras’ leadership, the MNA has become a results-based organization. This was evidenced by the signing of a $52-million dollar Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement with Canada in May 2005. Under the agreement, the MNA will continue delivering programs and services through our network of 17 Métis Employment Service Centres across the province specializing in assisting more than 6000 Métis clients per year to enter the workforce. The MNA continues to be considered by government and contemporaries as the leading AHRDA holder in Canada.
In April 2004, Audrey represented the Métis Nation at the historic Canada Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable attended by more than 20 federal cabinet ministers and 70 Aboriginal leaders from across the country. Sitting alongside the Prime Minister and other national Aboriginal leaders, Audrey affirmed the Métis Nation’s commitment towards a Canada-Métis Nation Framework Agreement. President Poitras witnessed the signing of the Framework Agreement on May 31, 2005 during the federal Policy Retreat on Aboriginal issues in Ottawa.
The future of the Métis Nation of Alberta holds potential for economic growth under Audrey’s leadership such as the development of the historic site at Victoria Landing, known as Métis Crossing, into a cultural interpretive centre. The first phase of Métis Crossing opened in August 2005 and is already drawing provincial and national attention as a tourist destination. The launch of phase one of the multi-million dollar project is indicative of Audrey’s determination and ability to turn Métis dreams into reality.
Transparency and accountability are important qualities Audrey believes in sincerely. Under her leadership and for the first time in our 78-year history, the MNA has a Communications Department committed to informing, promoting, educating, and advocating for Métis self-governance and communicating with our members. President Poitras launched the Métis Nation’s official magazine, Otipemisiwak-Voice of the Métis Nation in Alberta in March 2004.
Audrey leads the Métis Nation of Alberta with grace and dignity recognized by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, and cherished by Métis Elders.
