(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Historic Moment

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan close to self-governance

Feb 7, 2024 | 12:00 PM

What was once a dream for Métis people is close to becoming a reality.

Earlier this week, the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee (INAN) confirmed the adoption of Bill C-53 which recognizes the Métis Governments in Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan and their ability to self-govern.

It still needs to pass one more vote from the House of Commons before going to the Senate for final approval.

Glen McCallum, the president of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN-S), said the day it becomes official will be historic.

“We believe strongly that we’re our own people and that we should have our own rules and laws governing ourselves,” he said.

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For McCallum, it’s hard not to think of his ancestors who literally fought and died for Métis rights to be recognized. It was nearly 139 years ago that the North-West Rebellion rose against the Canadian Government. After five months of fighting, the resistance folded after the Battle of Batoche.

Being “able to have those people looking down on us, being able to see where we are standing strong as Métis,” said McCallum.

Once the Bill is approved, the MN-S will have full control of how programs and services will be delivered to community members. The federal government will still provide funding just like they do with First Nations.

McCallum explained they’ve had a bit of a test run after they signed a framework with the federal government in 2018 which began the process towards self-governance.

They ended up focusing on helping their members continue their education and, to date, have helped over 2,000 do so.

“That is the outcome of a little bit of taxpayers’ dollars we’ve gotten from the federal government,” McCallum said.

He added this is a prime example of what will happen once they can self-govern.

Meanwhile, there’s no exact date on when the House of Commons and Senate will discuss the bill.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

X: @princealbertnow