Frustration and disappointment are some of the words Aboriginal groups are using to describe the government’s decision to appeal a recent federal court ruling.
Last month, a federal the court ruled that Métis and non-status Indians belong under section 91-24 of the 1867 constitution.
The ruling means these two groups could potentially begin to apply for services and benefits similar to First Nations or Inuit.
Kim Beaudin is the president of the Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan.
He says he isn’t surprised by the government’s course of action but he believes there is a silver lining.
“One good thing that will come out of it is the Supreme Court will rule in favour of Aboriginal people and in particular Métis and non-status people,” he says. “The only unfortunate thing is it could drag on for years.”
Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan says he believes appealing the decision is the prudent thing to do given the complexities of the case.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples also says it’s disappointed.
The group says it had wanted to begin working with the government on practical solutions for problems facing people living off-reserve.