Federation of Metis Nations in the Americas

Membership:

Membership in the Federation is open to sovereign, independent Metis Nations. Member qualifications may be found in the Federation Charter.

For more information, please contact the Federation Secretariat.

Current Member Nations:

Head of Delegation:
Ken Nadreau,
National Director

Representatives:
Peter Searching Owl Giovi

Metis Nation of the South
Head of Delegation:
Jim Lacey,
National Chairman

Representatives:
Carolyne Gould

Relevant Bodies of the United Nations:

Economic and Social Council;
Division for Social Policy and Development;
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Links to Pertinent International Laws:

International Instruments in Diplomacy
Links to the text of diplomatic and international relations treaties.

International Instruments in Human Rights
Links to the text of human rights treaties.

Understanding International Law and Diplomacy:

Human Rights Today: A United Nations Priority
Outlines key issues in human rights.

UN Treaty Handbook
A guide to the Secretary-General's practice as a depositary of multilateral treaties, and to treaty law and practice in relation to the registration function.

UN Treaty Reference Guide
An overview of international instruments binding at international law and the key terms employed in them.

Diplomatic Qualities and Skills
An overview of the attributes and knowledge required by a diplomat.

Other Metis Organizations:

International Metis Women's Council

US Metis Alliance

Diplomatic and political relations between Members of the Federation of Metis Nations in the Americas, hereafter referred to as the Federation, in all forums of the Federation shall be guided by the following ideals:

1. By virtue of their rich heritage, historical experience and contemporary circumstances, the Members of the Federation possess common interests and aspirations to exercise their political will in common and to develop a collective struggle or cause based upon the North American Aboriginal values of trust, confidence and toleration.

2. By virtue of the recognition and affirmation of their mutual freedom and self-determination, the Members of the Federation possess the knowledge and political will to respect the sovereignty of each indigenous nation.

3. By virtue of the recognition and respect for their mutual sovereign equality, the Members of the Federation can establish collective political relations based upon respect for diversity.

4. By virtue of their mutual belief in justice, the Members of the Federation can establish collective political relations that will not render a single Member of the Federation to suffer or benefit as a direct result of privilege, favoritism, preferential treatment or the abuse of power.

The Federation, in the pursuit of the ideals stated in Article 1, shall subscribe to and maintain these Principles:

1. The Members of the Federation involved in diplomatic and political relations recognize that collective political power and action is a practical imperative for the preservation and integrity of the right to self-determination for each Member.

2. In order to achieve political solidarity, all diplomatic and political relations between the Members of the Federation shall be characterized by the principles of coexistence and diversity.

3. The purpose, authority, responsibilities and jurisdiction of the Federation shall be derivative in nature and scope. All actions or initiatives in excess of the delegation from the Members of the Federation shall be null and void and of no force or effect.

4. All delegated power, mandates or responsibility derive from the sovereignty of the Federation; and the persons or institutions entrusted to exercise such delegation have a sacred trust and duty to comply strictly with the nature and quality of the delegation in the performance of that delegation.

5. The Federation shall remain at all times an instrument to advance the aspirations of the Members of the Federation and shall not become greater in strength, power, resources or jurisdiction than the individual Members for which it was established to serve.

6. Any decision or direction on a subject matter of a fundamental nature that may affect the jurisdiction, rights and survival of any or all of the Members of the Federation may be undertaken as an international matter provided the Membership of the Federation has reached a consensus to grant delegated power, mandate or responsibility to the General Assembly. When all efforts at achieving a consensus have been exhausted without success, a positive vote of 60% of the Membership of the Federation shall be sufficient for the General Assembly to undertake any subject matter as an international matter.

7. The resources allocated to the Secretariat of the Federation shall be distributed and utilized for the greater benefit of all Members of the Federation in efforts that are truly, in form and substance, international in scope and for which consensus has been achieved by the Members of the Federation.

The roles and functions of the Federation:

1. To be an international delegated forum for determining and harmonizing effective collective and co-operative measures on any subject matters that the Membership of the Federation delegates for review, study, response or action.

2. To be an international delegated forum of the Members of the Federation, which, by virtue of their sovereignty, are the sole legitimate source for what it is, does or may become in the future.

3. To be an international delegated forum for the purpose of advancing the aspirations of the Members of the Federation and to remain subordinate in strength, power and resources to the jurisdiction of the Members of the Federation for whom it is established to serve.

4. To perform and adhere strictly, as a sacred trust and duty, to the nature, scope and extent of the delegation granted from time to time by the Membership of the Federation.

5. To seek, utilize and distribute resources for the greater benefit of all the Members of the Federation in endeavors that are truly in form and substance international in nature and scope and for which delegation has been granted by the Membership of the Federation.

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