Leadership

The Commission

The Métis Veterans Legacy Program is led by Metis Veteran Commissioners, dedicated to honouring and improving the lives of their fellow Métis Veterans and their families.

Represent the MVLP at official events

Make decisions on proposed Commemoration Program initiatives

Hear the appeals of ineligible Recognition Payment applicants

Develop the Independent National Métis Veterans Association

Meet the Team

Our Commissioners

Commission Chair

John (Jack) Gordon Park

Jack was born and raised into Military life. His father served for 33 Years in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Cyprus Conflict, along with various locations across Canada.

Jack joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1976 serving in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia; Borden, Ontario; Edmonton, Alberta; and Petawawa, Ontario. He served for 3.5 years and finished his 5-year military Career in 1981 in Cold Lake, Alberta.

During his career, he traveled to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he earned his American Parachutist Wings with the 82nd Airborne Division. In 2012, Jack was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal from the National Metis Veteran's Association.

Jack is currently the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the Manitoba Metis Federation Cabinet, as well as the Chairman of Metis N4 Construction. Jack also sits as a Committee Member on the MMF Finance Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Executive Committee, and is the Vice Chairman of the Louis Riel Capital Corporation, along with his most recent appointment as Chairman of the Métis Veterans Legacy Program Commission.

Commissioner

Jim Durocher

Jim Durocher is a Metis and Cree Elder. He is a nationally recognized advocate for Metis rights and has been a prominent authority and critic of government policies affecting Metis peoples. As a fluent Cree and Michif speaker, he has carried the core principles of traditional Metis culture and knowledge with him throughout his life's work to ensure the advancement of the Metis nation.

His involvement in politics first started when he was elected to the Association of Metis and Non-Status Indians, where his success led to being elected as President of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, along with holding an interim position as President of the Metis National Council.

Jim currently serves as the President of the A La Baie Metis in Sakitawak territory, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan.

Commissioner

Alex Maurice

Alex is a resident of Beauval, a small Metis community in Saskatchewan.

Alex served in the Infantry, completing several basic and advanced level courses within Canada, U.S.A., Australia, and Cyprus. He quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a Corporal within 18 months of service, Master Corporal by his third year, and a Sergeant after six. Alex has trained soldiers in Wainwright, Alberta and Officer Cadets in Gagetown, New Brunswick. He is a qualified Paratrooper with the Canadian and American Jump Wings and has obtained his Ranger Tab.

He earned the silver, golden, and diamond jubilee (United Nations Peacekeeping Award) twice, and Centennial Medals for his service. He also received the Minister of Veteran's Affairs Commendation pin after he left the military.

Alex is now a private consultant specializing in Indigenous Business/Financial Planning and Development and has held the position of First Nations Band Manager.

Commissioner

Harry Hope

Harry Hope was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He began his military career in 1953 where he was stationed in Calgary. He served in the Army in the Queen's Own Rifles Infantry Regiment, with a tour in Seoul, South Korea.

Harry was proclaimed an Ambassador for Peace by the Republic of South Korea, for his service toward the restoration and preservation of South Korea's freedom and democracy.

After his military career, Harry worked in telephone communications for 20 years. He has been involved in Metis politics and sat as Chairman of the board of the Kikino Metis Settlement. He resigned to work for the Provincial Government and was responsible for the eight Metis Settlements of Alberta.

Harry has 5 children and 10 grandchildren. He now lives on a farm where he raises cattle and horses on the Metis Settlement in Lac La Biche, Alberta.