Michelle's Vision | Vote Leclair

Michelle's

VISION

Local & Regional Governance

Vice President Michelle LeClair believes that Métis Locals are the foundation of Métis Nation–Saskatchewan’s democracy — and they must be supported, not sidelined. Since 2021, she has consistently advocated for building capacity at the local level so Locals can fulfill their true role: delivering culturally relevant services, hosting programming, strengthening language and culture, and shaping policy from the ground up.

One of Michelle’s first acts as Vice President was bringing forward a resolution to appoint a Local Commissioner, tasked with visiting Locals across the province to understand their needs. The message was clear: Locals want to be active, but they often lack the tools and support. Many are run by dedicated volunteers who need help navigating complex systems — from grant applications to incorporation, to understanding where they fit within the broader MN–S governance structure.

Michelle’s vision is to see Locals strengthened to the point where they can deliver programs and services directly to their citizens. Through initiatives like Ma Faamii Centres — warm, accessible hubs that support system navigation, referrals, and cultural connection — MN–S is laying the groundwork for a more decentralized model of service delivery, one that brings power back to communities.

She also knows the path forward must include Locals Act legislation, funding formulas in the Self-Government Treaty that support paid positions within Locals, and inclusive systems to engage the 80% of citizens who currently aren’t affiliated with a Local. For Michelle, it’s not enough to say Locals are the basic unit of governance — the work now is to ensure they are resourced, respected, and ready to lead.

Local and Regional Governance –

Michelle LeClair’s Commitments

Believes Locals must be supported to deliver culture, programs, and services
Committed to passing the Locals Act to formalize their role in MN–S governance
Supports paid positions and core funding for Locals and Regions in future Treaty funding models
Committed to developing more tools and training so Locals and Regions can navigate systems and apply for grants
Dedicated to building a system that includes the 80% of citizens not currently in a Local
Believes strong Locals = strong Legislative Assembly = strong Nation

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"You have to know who you're serving before you can serve them properly. Our Locals and Regions need access to citizen information — not to control it, but to connect, to include, and to build a stronger Nation together."

Child & Family Services

Vice President Michelle LeClair believes that Métis families deserve the right to raise their children in safety, culture, and love — and that the ability to care for our own must be protected as a constitutional right.

Over the past three years, Michelle has worked alongside community members, Elders, and professionals to listen and learn what Métis families need. Her goal is clear: to build a child and family system that keeps our families together, grounded in Métis ways of knowing, not colonial structures. Her experience in the sector, including past work with CUMFI on family programming, gives her both frontline and policy expertise.

Under her leadership, MN–S has laid the groundwork for Métis control over Child and Family Services (CFS). She has helped guide the Nation through province-wide engagement, ensuring families, survivors, and community members are at the centre of this work — not just government-to-government negotiations.

While Bill C-92 offers a legal path to jurisdiction, Michelle believes true protection will come through Treaty. Including CFS in the Self-Government Treaty would enshrine it as a constitutionally protected right, meaning our ability to care for our children would be permanent, respected, and properly funded — even if it doesn’t fit a federal or provincial model. For Michelle, that’s what justice looks like.

Child and Family Services –

Michelle LeClair’s Commitments

Believes Métis families deserve the right to raise their children in culture and community
Committed to continuing province-wide engagement with citizens, Elders, and families on CFS reform
Will ensure Treaty protection to secure permanent, funded CFS jurisdiction
Will advocate for systems built by Métis, for Métis — not colonial models

“Nobody knows our people like our people do.”

Metis Rights & Self Government

Vice President Michelle LeClair has always believed that Métis rights must be protected — not just in policy, but in law. That’s why she’s committed to seeing the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Treaty through to completion, backed by federal legislation and constitutional protection that ensures the recognition of our Nation for generations to come.

Michelle has played a key leadership role in the development of Kishchi Mashinaayikun Ooshchi Michif, the draft Self-Government Treaty and is committed to sharing the draft Treaty with citizens as soon as possible, so they can read it, understand it, and give their feedback. A strong Treaty is one that is built with the people, not just for them. Michelle has been a strong voice at the table, and will continue working to ensure the final document truly reflects the needs and priorities of Métis citizens. For Michelle, this is about building a future where Métis governance is respected, rights are recognized, and our people are never left out again.

As Canada heads into a federal election, Michelle is committed to working with any government in power to get the Treaty passed into law. She knows that this work cannot wait — and that no matter the political party, Métis rights must be honoured.

In addition, Michelle continues to push for the advancement of outstanding Métis land claims, including Section 31 and displacement claims — because the recognition of our government must go hand-in-hand with the recognition of our land.

For Michelle, protecting Métis rights isn’t a political promise — it’s a sacred responsibility.

Metis Rights and Self Government –

Michelle LeClair’s Commitments

Be a strong voice at the Treaty table to ensure the final document reflects the real needs of Métis citizens
Get the draft Treaty out to citizens as soon as possible for review, feedback, and understanding
Work with any federal party in power to get the Treaty passed into legislation
Ensure the Treaty is constitutionally protected, not just politically recognized
Push for further development of a mechanism to resolve outstanding Métis land claims, including Section 31 and displacement

"Protecting Métis rights isn’t a political promise — it’s a sacred responsibility. We’ve waited long enough. It’s time our rights were fully recognized in law, not just in words.”

Residential Schools

Vice President Michelle LeClair is committed to uncovering the full truth of how the Residential School system — and related institutions — impacted Métis people in Saskatchewan, and to ensuring Survivors are heard, honoured, and never forgotten.

Early in her term, Michelle helped bring forward a resolution to investigate how Métis children were targeted by systems outside of the federally recognized Residential School network. Many were sent to orphanages, sanatoriums and industrial schools like Timber Bay, often far from their families and communities. These children were not wards of the state — they had families and homes — but because they lived on road allowance or were excluded from public schools, Saskatchewan’s answer was to remove them. These experiences have long been ignored by Canada, the province, and the church — and that must change.

Michelle is committed to launching a Métis-led Commission on Residential School Experiences in Saskatchewan, one that travels into communities, hears directly from Survivors and families, and records the full truth — from the state institutions to the churches that participated in this harm. She believes this process may also lay the groundwork for future legal action, including a potential class action lawsuit, but above all, it must begin with the truth.

This work builds on the historic Agreement in Principle reached with Canada for Survivors of the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School — a major step forward in a decades-long fight for recognition. But Michelle knows that fight isn’t over. The Province of Saskatchewan still refuses to acknowledge its role, and she is committed to holding them accountable. She will continue to push for full recognition, redress, and justice — not just in Ottawa, but here at home.

For Michelle, this work is about truth, healing, and justice — and ensuring that Métis Survivors are no longer treated as an afterthought in Canada's reckoning with its colonial past.

Residential Schools –

Michelle LeClair’s Commitments

Launch a Métis-led Residential School Commission to record Métis-specific experiences across Saskatchewan
Ensure Survivors and families are heard directly in their own communities
Push for the recognition of institutions like Timber Bay, orphanages, sanatoriums, and industrial schools
Build on the Île-à-la-Crosse Agreement in Principle, and continue fighting until the province takes responsibility
Explore legal pathways, including a class action, to achieve justice and recognition
Centre all work on truth, healing, and constitutional protection for Métis families

“The fight for justice is not over — not until every Métis Survivor is heard, and every government and institution responsible is held to account. We owe that to our ancestors, our families, and our future.”