First-step agreement between Ottawa, Saskatchewan Metis hailed as historic

For the first time, the government of Canada has moved toward recognizing the constitutionally protected Indigenous rights of Metis people in Saskatchewan.

Carolyn Bennet, the minister of Indigenous-Crown relations, signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday in Ottawa with Glen McCallum, president of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan, on recognition of Metis Indigenous rights and self-determination.

The signing is only the beginning of a process. It establishes a foundation for a framework agreement for more formal discussions, intended to lead to a final agreement.

“I feel wonderful. It’s been a longtime coming, this relationship with the federal government and the recognition of Metis,” McCallum said in an interview.

He said he has high hopes for a framework agreement by June or July and then, if all goes well, he would love to see an agreement in place before the 2021 end of his four-year term as president.

“The door is open for us to begin. The initiative between the Metis Nation- Saskatchewan and Canada at the highest level is in furtherance of reconciliation, of coming to an understanding of how both governments are going to work together,” said lawyer Thomas Isaac, who represents the MNS.

“So that’s historic. It’s a big deal and its appropriate. It’s evidence of the Crown trying to do the right thing.”

McCallum said the document commits the parties to advance reconciliation in a government-to-government relationship.

Reconciliation must address the effect of the Sixties Scoop on Metis children and families, the Ile a la Crosse boarding school that was left out of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, a lack of recognition for Metis veterans and a lack of Metis specific programming, he said.

“I’m excited to be able to now sit at the table and talk about Metis land claims and programs. It’s a wonderful opportunity,” he said.

McCallum commended the Liberal government for acting on the report, which was commissioned by the former Harper Conservative administration.

“It’s only when the Liberals and (Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau made an effort to strengthen the relationship with the Metis that we saw the beginning of the relationship … but (the Harper Conservative government) hired Tom Isaac and he did a real good job,” he said.

Before working for the MNS, Isaac was appointed as the INAC minister’s special representative on Metis Section 35 rights and authored a report recommending Canada change its policies to addresses Metis constitutional rights, according to legal principles of reconciliation and the honour of the Crown.

He also recommended Canada