Métis leaders are applauding Friday’s landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Canada regarding farmland promised to Métis children as part of the Red River Settlement of 1870.
The high court ruled that the Métis are entitled to a declaration that Canada failed to implement Section 31 of the Manitoba Act 1870 as required by the honour of the Crown. The decision marks the culmination of 32 years of court action by the Manitoba Métis Federation against the governments of Canada and Manitoba.
The court actions sought to make good on commitments made by Sir John A. Macdonald to the Métis provisional government and its President Louis Riel for a 1.4 million acre land base for the children of the Métis majority in the Red River Settlement.
Under the terms of the Manitoba Act, that settlement became the province of Manitoba.
Métis National Council president Clem Chartier says he was nearly brought to tears by the decision.
He says the Métis don’t expect to have the land, which includes the entire city of Winnipeg, turned over to them.
But it does open the door to other forms of compensation.
He adds the ruling could have implications for a Métis land-claim filed in Northwest Saskatchewan back in the mid-1990’s.
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette also agrees the decision could have ramifications on Métis claims in southern Saskatchewan too.
However he’s hoping the government will see the writing on the wall and come to the table.
Doucette adds millions of dollars are being wasted through government appeals.