RECONCILIATION IN ACTION

At the recent MMF AGA, Canada and MMF jointly announced a three-part plan to advance Reconciliation. This incremental plan is the result of the ongoing nation-tonation, government-to-government negotiations set up by the 2016 Framework Agreement between Canada and the MMF as the government of the Métis Nation’s Manitoba Métis Community.

As part of the Canada-MMF plan to advance Reconciliation, Canada committed approximately $129 million to the MMF for a variety of investments in the following : (1) social and economical wellbeing, as identified by the Manitoba Métis; and (2) support the MMF in further developing its self-government for its transition to full recognition by Canada. For the Metis, this is not only an important step toward Reconciliation, but also toward enhancing our Community’s collective health and strength. The Manitoba Métis and Canada were negotiating partners for the treaty that resulted in the Manitoba Act of 1870. In return for putting down our arms and joining Canada, the Manitoba Act promised 1.4 million acres of land to the Metis of the Red River. This was a constitutional obligation and solemn promise to provide a head start for the children of the Métis Nation for the future benefit of their families. But as has been said by President Chartrand, and our legal counsel, “our children did not get the head start promised to them – they didn’t even get to the starting line.” The obligation of the Manitoba Act was effectively ignored and the promise was never kept. Few Métis ever saw any of the promised land. On the contrary, the Metis people faced a reign of terror, lost their possessions, and were marginalized while becoming what has been described as the “Forgotten People”. Later many Métis children were sent to abusive residential or day schools, or snatched up during the Sixties Scoop. “This three-part incremental plan supports our goals of nationhood and governance. It supports the independence and authority of the MMF in our areas of jurisdiction. This support is important. It reflects that we are the Otipemisiwak, which in Cree means “the independent ones” or “the people who rule themselves,” said Al Benoit, MMF Chief of Staff. “Throughout history, we have been ignored at the best of times and attacked at the worst,” explained Al Benoit. “This agreement shows that the Federal Government wants to build a relationship of cooperation and partnership with the MMF as the Manitoba Métis Government. As President Chartrand has aptly described : This is “Reconciliation in Action.”