Canada to Sign 1st Modern Treaty With Manitoba Métis Federation
MMF President David Chartrand holds the signed treaty, Nov. 30, 2024. X/ @ctvwinnipeg
December 2, 2024 Hour: 8:02 am
‘We are correcting an historic wrong done to the Red River Métis,’ MMF President Chartrand said.
On Saturday, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree was in Winnipeg, the capital city of Manitoba, to finalize the agreement which formally recognizes the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) as the government of the Red River Métis.
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The Red River Métis actually negotiated a treaty with Canada back in 1870, the Manitoba Act, which led to Manitoba joining Confederation. It was supposed to provide Métis with land and economic opportunities, but the federal government didn’t follow through on those commitments.
The Manitoba Métis Federation began discussions with Ottawa on the agreement in 2021. An estimated 4,000 MMF delegates unanimously approved the treaty in a June 2023 vote.
The agreement doesn’t come with a list of benefits for the Red River Métis, but opens the door to future agreements with the federal government on fishing and harvesting rights, education, child welfare, land claims and health coverage. The Métis are the only distinct Indigenous people excluded from the federal health benefits provided to Inuit and First Nations.
“Self-government treaties reaffirm Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-government and self-determination. These co-developed agreements rightfully recognize the right of Indigenous Peoples to organize and govern themselves and to pass laws that apply to their citizens in a way that meets their needs, goals and traditions,” the Manitoba Métis Federation stated.
“This is a turning point in Canada’s history. We are correcting an historic wrong done to the Red River Métis, and showing the true character of our country. Together, we are showing that Canada is a place where we can face challenges and come to terms with mistakes of the past, and move forward in a positive way, forging a new history for future generations,” MMF President David Chartrand said.
“The Red River Métis shaped the West and played a pivotal role in the foundation of our country. Now, through this treaty, we are confirmed as the architects of how Canadians and the world see us. This treaty was 154 years in the making, and is clearly a win-win for all Canadians, as we stand together on the right side of history. I look forward to the speedy progress of this treaty to Royal Assent, secure in the knowledge that there can be no rational objection to this shared achievement,” he added.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: Xinhua – MMF
