The President of the Métis National Council says last week’s federal court decision regarding Métis and non-status Indians is creating some confusion.
The court decision says Métis people must be recognized under federal jurisdiction.
Clem Chartier says last week’s ruling finally settles a dispute between Ottawa and the provinces as to which level of government is responsible for Métis people but stresses the ruling still does not say they are “Indians.”
“The Indian Act said those Aboriginal people that received scrip or land grants, other than the Manitoba Act, are not entitled to be registered as Indians under the Indian Act,” he says. “So, this court case basically says it is the federal government that has the jurisdiction or legal authority to enter into relationships with all Aboriginal peoples – First Nations, Inuit and Métis.”
Chartier adds he also disagrees with a university professor who says the federal court ruling could impact Métis land claims.
The MNC President says the only land claims that could potentially be impacted are those involving Métis townships in Alberta.
However, Chartier points out another Supreme Court decision, the Cunningham case, has already dealt with this very question.