TAKING A PLACE AT THE TABLE
Agreement establishes rights and sets out framework for future negotiations
Metis Nation-saskatchewan president Glen Mccallum, left, and federal minister of crown-indigenous relations Carolyn Bennett sign a historic accord on friday at batoche, the site of the 1885 uprising. The documents set out a framework for future negotiations on how ottawa will recognize Metis rights.
BATOCHE The Metis Nation-Saskatchewan will no longer be “the forgotten people” after signing a framework agreement with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett that opens the way to addressing Metis rights guaranteed in the Constitution.
The agreement creates a process for developing a nation to nation relationship and sets priorities for future negotiations, including self government and self-determination.
“All the years that the Metis have been left on the sidelines, for the first time, the federal government and ourselves ... have come to the point where real progress is being made,” MN-S president Glen McCallum told reporters after the Friday signing at Batoche, the location of the 1885 Metis uprising and on the first day of the Metis Nation’s annual Back to Batoche gathering and celebration.
“It’s a very historic day for our people,” McCallum said.
The Metis have equal status with First Nations and Inuit as Indigenous peoples in the Constitution, but until now, their needs have been largely treated as a provincial responsibility, Bennett said.
“We are working hard on the honour of the Crown, to honour and recognize and affirm the rights that exist in Section 35 of the Constitution,” she said.
The government is working on legislation to recognize and implement Metis rights. It includes an oversight body and a dispute resolution process to ensure Canada honours the agreements and implements them, she said.
The agreement is the first time any federal government has made a commitment to deal with the Metis on a nation to nation basis. The work began as soon as the Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office and has progressed steadily since then.
Metis National Council president Clem Chartier said the Metis now have a partner in the Government of Canada.
“Together we are seeking resolution to the injustices of the past and to the marginalization that we have experienced,” he said.
“We’re seeing massive changes since the last federal election.”
The Metis were included in the 2018 federal budget for the first time and will benefit from $1.5 billion over the next 10 years, “and that is just the start,” Chartier said.
Agreements have already been signed with Metis governments in Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario. British Columbia will be next.
“As long as there are problems with housing and great gaps in outcomes and health, education and economic ... we need to be working on both parts and that’s why (Indigenous Services Minister Jane) Philpot is working so hard on the closing the gaps piece while we work on the self determination piece,” Bennett said.
The MN-S also signed memorandums of agreement Friday with two provincial organizations.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority and MN-S formalized a relationship in which they ’ll work together on health promotion, tracking determinants of health and obtaining funding for new Metis specific programs, services and research.
Marg Friesen, Saskatchewan Metis Minister of Health, said closing the gap will include respectful communication on issues like traditional medicines and spiritual healing practises for Metis and all Saskatchewan people.
The Saskatchewan School Boards Association also agreed to work with the MN-S to include Metis ways of knowing and their contributions to the history of Saskatchewan. It will include students, elders, teachers, administrators and school board members to ensure board members understand the Metis perspective when making decisions.