MN-S WR2 Director Sherry McLennan addressed the large crowd in attendance. Beside her is MN-S WR3 Director Wendy Gervais. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)
Political unrest

‘This is bigger than all of us’: MN—S Directors demand restoration of seats

Jun 26, 2025 | 2:43 PM

Shouts of “Métis Strong” filled a small, crowded room at Prince Albert’s East End arena Thursday morning, where a press conference, organized in part by two re-elected representatives from Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Western Regions 2 and 3, was held.

Two days have passed since Sherry McLennan and Wendy Gervais were denied entry at the MN—S swearing-in ceremony at Dakota Dunes Casino in Saskatoon, after they were re-elected to the Provincial Métis Council (PMC).

The reason provided by executive is because both women are currently suspended from their duties following the outcome of a harassment investigation.

“The complaint was the culmination of the ongoing harassment of the PMC’s sole employee, MN–S Chief Executive Officer, Richard Quintal (“CEO”) by McLennan, Gervais, and two other previously-elected individuals,” read an MN-S statement issued Thursday.

The women countered with their own harassment complaint, but the MN—S said the investigation determined only Quintal’s complaints were founded. As part of a series of resolutions made by PMC Human Resources, McLennen, Gervais and the other two are required to issue a written apology before they can participate in meetings and perform duties.

The MN—S statement said, “The results of the 2025 MN–S Election in May have no bearing on their responsibility to provide public apologies to the CEO. The sanctions ordered by the PMC suspending them from their duties on PMC will remain in effect until such time as the public apologies are received.”

Gervais said the resolutions also prevent her from speaking about the details of the incident.

“What I will say is what we said in our statement, and it has gone through our legal; there were four women who were under investigation. We have not been interviewed to this date,” she said.

Wendy Gervais addresses the large crowd in attendance.

As part of the press conference, McLennan outlined their own steps they want the MN—S executive to take including acknowledgement of the procedural failings in the handling of their complaint; a commitment to an approach that respects the rights and dignity of women; ensure that their harassment complaints are taken seriously and re-investigated through a fair, independent and respectful process; and to restore their seats at the table and allow them to take their oaths of office.

“This is bigger than all of us,” Gervais said. “This is about the integrity of our governance, about the right of elected representatives to do the job they were chosen to do…about ensuring Métis women are no longer silenced for speaking up, and internal grievances, however valid they are, are handled through fare and respectful processes, not through political punishment.”

As part of the press conference, a video was played where MN—S President Glenn McCallum appears to refer to McLennan and Gervais during the swearing in ceremony and tells the people in attendance to isolate them and claims they are acting in their own interests and not those of the Métis people in the province.

A number of people brought signs to the press conference that was live streamed. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Gervais claims issues with the executive have been going on for the past two years, during which time MN-S has undergone significant constitutional reform with conversations about strengthening self-government and affirming Métis rights.

“We heard time and time again from our citizens that they did not adequately feel consulted nor included in these discussions. These concerns came to a head at the November 2024 Métis Nation legislative assembly where internal intentions became undeniable,” Gervais said.

McLennan added, as elected officials, it is not just their right, but their responsibility to demand transparency in decision making for issues ranging from governance decisions, budgets, contracts, salaries, and even the qualifications of the senior staff.

“Governance must be open and accountable, or it ceases to serve the people. It is sometimes uncomfortable, but it is necessary,” she added.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

In addressing citizen concerns over government transparency MN–S President Glen McCallum said ‘this is a human rights issue – period.’

“One of our staff was harassed in a very public forum and our government prides itself on being able to provide a safe work environment, free of that kind of treatment by elected or otherwise, and have taken the necessary steps to address the situation. As the sitting PMC, we have an obligation to ourselves and to our citizens. We have a lot of work to do. There is no time for nonsense. No time for sidetracking. If we truly believe in the spirit that we carry ourselves with and in the oath we took yesterday, here’s where we get the job done.”

The statement from the executive also said McLennan and Gervais were ‘made duly aware’ of the fact that they would be unable to participate in any PMC activities through correspondence exchanged by the President and through legal counsel prior to the swearing-in ceremony.

nigel.maxwelll@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social

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