National Post (National Edition)
After 143 years, a dream come true
March 8 marked a new beginning for the Métis people. On that day, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the government of Sir John A. Macdonald did not keep its word and broke a solemn promise to give the Red River Métis, and their children, land in the new province of Manitoba. Thanks to the highest court in the land, our people’s 143-year-old struggle for justice has been vindicated.
This decision has its roots in the agreement between two nations to bring the West into Canada. The Manitoba Act of 1870 included a constitutionally protected promise to provide 1.4 million acres of land to our children. It was meant to give them a head start before the Métis were overwhelmed by the influx of newcomers in the race for land. As Louis Riel noted, “There were two societies who treated together. One was small, but in its smallness had its rights. The other was great, but in its greatness had no greater rights than the rights of the small.”
Despite the treaty-like status of the Macdonald government’s promise, our lands were lost through delay, inaction, and — in many cases — deliberate deception on the part of the Canadian government. The Métis had their land taken from under them and many were violently forced out of their homes, their families dispersed throughout the country.
The Supreme Court found that the federal Crown acted with persistent inattention and failed to act diligently to achieve the purposes of the land promise. This was not a matter of occasional negligence, but of repeated mistakes and inaction for over a decade. In the words of the judges, “So long as the constitutional grievance at issue here remains outstanding, the job of reconciliation and constitutional harmony remains unachieved.” Because the federal government failed to act, as required, with the honour of the Crown, Canada’s obligations were not fulfilled. No Canadian should find that acceptable.
The promises of land are part of a very special agreement between Canada and the Manitoba Métis that is enshrined in our Constitution. The Manitoba Métis agreed to put down their arms and allow their traditional territory to become a part of Canada and, in exchange, the Métis were promised land for their children.
The Supreme Court decision is a good start towards fulfilling this promise. Over the past 143 years, the Métis people have built a strong economic, social and cultural framework in this country. We pay taxes, create jobs and have developed a strong community support network. Any settlement reached with the government of Canada will not be wasted. It will be wisely invested to continue the good work that we are doing in Manitoba and
elsewhere to build a strong and prosperous Canada, which we are proud to be a part of.
The Métis were partners in the founding of this country. The land issue has been called the unfinished business of Confederation, so now is the time for our partner, the federal government, to come back to the table. Together, we will find a solution that honours what the Métis are owed and that will not pose any inconvenience or hardship upon the residents of the Winnipeg region — the land we were originally promised. None of our neighbours there need worry that we will be claiming their homes.
The negotiations ahead will make it possible for us to honour the memory of our Métis ancestors — mothers, fathers and children — who suffered the loss of their homes and lands. Our long-sought dream is finally set to come true: The Métis nation will finally have its rightful place in Canadian Confederation.
A recent Supreme Court ruling finally makes it possible for the Métis to take their rightful place within Canada