About Us - North Fraser Metis Association

WHERE DOES THE NFMA COME FROM?

North Fraser Métis Association has been around for a very long time. The earliest society documents we have located suggest registration in July of 1995. Vancouver, Canada, and the NFMA have all changed a great deal in that time! The organization has gone through periods of vibrancy and inactivity over the decades. Recently, there was a quiet period from the mid 2000s to about 2016. Thanks to the tireless efforts of a few very hard-working and committed individuals, the NFMA was able to survive this lacuna, biding time, we think, for the future.

That future, we are proud to say, has come to pass. In early 2017 a new Board of Directors volunteered to lead the NFMA. This group of core volunteers and the individuals who have joined them since have helped to push the NFMA into an era of vibrancy and productivity.

Or course, some of you out there may have been around at the time, or even involved in the early formation of NFMA, if so, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out and share your knowledge with us.

Catchment

NFMA is the community level organization that represents Métis citizens who reside in the Vancouver area. Our catchment extends from New Westminster westward to the Strait of George, and from Richmond north to Pemberton.

Metis Citizenship

NFMA is associated with the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) as a “Chartered Community.” As a Chartered Community, NFMA plays a role in the Métis citizenship application process. Aspiring MNBC citizens who reside within our area first have their applications for citizenship reviewed by MNBC. If the ancestry and identification requirements are met, then the applicant will be referred to NFMA to connect with our community and to meet the community acceptance portion of the Métis citizenship qualifications. Once MNBC advises us of a potential citizen we will reach out to connect with them and welcome them to our community. Members who go through this process become regular members of NFMA.

Membership Types

Those who reside within our catchment and who are registered MNBC citizens are regular members. Special Members are Métis people who either do not have MNBC citizenship or who do not, at the moment, reside within our catchment. Special Members have full voting rights.

Our associate memberships are given to individuals with a connection to the NFMA community who do not otherwise qualify for membership. Members in this category include the spouses of full members as well as other non-Métis people who are involved with our community. Associate members do not have voting rights but are welcome at our events and are encouraged to become as involved as they like.

WHERE IS THE NFMA GOING?

We stand at a turning point in Métis history. For generations we were a people pushed aside, hidden, ignored and overlooked. Winds have changed. Today the Métis Nation is poised for expansion, success: excellence. NFMA has an important role in this new chapter, and it is our members who have the privilege of deciding what that role is going to be. Really, where NFMA is going is something that is still being dreamed, something for which the foundation is fresh and full of promise. If you are a Métis person living in our area, where we are going depends on you. This is an exciting moment and we would be proud to have you join us in building it.