(Submitted photo/Canadian Press)

By paNOW Staff

Metis Government

Self-government agreements with three Metis nations marks historic change

Jun 30, 2019 | 10:16 AM

The federal government signed historic self-government agreements Thursday with the Metis nations of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan.

The agreements affirm the Metis right of self-government and formally recognize the mandates of the Metis nations in the three provinces.

Sherry Mclennan, regional director with Metis Nation Saskatchewan told paNOW about the importance of this landmark decision.

“This agreement establishes for the first time the path to full and formal recognition of the Metis Government of Saskatchewan,” McLennan said. “While the hard work is far from over, it’s just beginning, this agreement marks a momentous step forward.”

McLennan added that this decision was the result of work beginning in the 1800s, pre-confederation. She noted that the hard work and dedication of hundreds of individuals, over countless years, led to this week’s decision.

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A framework was also spelled out as part of the agreement, with steps towards formal recognition of Metis governments in Canadian law. These steps will take time, according to McLennan, but are the beginning of a real change.

“It will take some time. This is the first time in history that it has been explicitly acknowledged by the Canadian government, and this is a big turning point,” McLennan said.

“The Self-Government agreement provides a path forward to be formally recognized by the government. We aren’t just a non-profit or something like that, we are the government for Metis in Saskatchewan.”

McLennan added that the agreement is available for viewing on the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan website, and she encouraged individuals from any walk of life or community to contact her or any member of the Metis Nation to discuss the future.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett called the agreements a “fundamental step to advance reconciliation” and predicted they will transform the federal relationship with Metis nations in the three provinces.

With files from the Canadian Press.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow