Minister Michael de Jong has become the sixth person in British Columbia to receive the Order of the Sash from the Métis Nation BC. President of Métis Nation BC (MNBC), Bruce Demont, presented the sash to Minister de Jong on April 24, 2008.

“I am honoured to wear the Métis Sash and understand the cultural significance it has for Métis people,” said de Jong. “Accepting the sash was a privilege and recognition of the progress the Province and the Métis Nation has made in our joint pursuit of the goals set out in the Métis Nation Relationship Accord.”

Bruce Dumont, President of Métis Nation BC, presents Minister Michael de Jong with the Métis Sash, the cultural icon for Métis citizens. The Order of the Sash is a distinct award provided by Métis leadership to honor important work by an individual. Minister de Jong is one of only six recipients of the Order of the Sash in British Columbia.

The sash is a cultural icon for the Métis people and is the nationally recognized symbol of the Métis. It is a distinct award provided by the Métis to individuals who are recognized for their important contributions in support of Métis Nation citizens. Historically, the sash has served many purposes, including a container for valuables and an emergency first aid device.

Meaning of its Colors:
Red: Represents the blood of the Métis people, shed through the years while fighting for Métis rights.
Blue: Represents the depth of the Métis spirits.
Green: Is for the fertility of a great Nation.
White: Represents the Métis connection to the earth and its creator.
Yellow: Is for the prospect of prosperity.
Black: Represents the dark period of suppression and dispossession of Métis land.

The Order of the Sash was presented to Minister de Jong following the Province’s announcement of $450,000 to MNBC to help improve health, housing, education and economic development opportunities for Métis people around B.C. Funding will help carry out the objectives under a five-year plan to implement the Métis Nation Relationship Accord.

The Métis Nation Relationship Accord sets out a framework to improve a number of social and economic priority areas for Métis people living in British Columbia, including health care, housing, education, employment and economic opportunities, intergovernmental relations, and Métis identification and data collection.

For more information about this agreement and the New Relationship, visit www.gov.bc.ca/arr. For more photos, click here.