The Supreme Court of Canada is set to decide what rights and benefits hundreds of thousands of Métis and non-status Indians should receive from the federal government.
On Thursday, the nation’s highest court said it will hear appeals from both the federal government and Métis groups in a legal fight that was originally launched back in 1999 by Saskatchewan Métis leader Harry Daniels.
Local Aboriginal groups are welcoming the Supreme Court decision.
Saskatchewan Aboriginal Affairs Coalition President Kim Beaudin says he is confident a Supreme Court victory would force the federal government to provide the same programs and services to Métis and non-status Indians as the government currently does for status Indians.
“I was very, very happy that the Supreme Court is going to look at it and settle it once and for all,” he says.
The Supreme Court is hearing two appeals of a lower court ruling; one launched by the federal government and the other by Métis and non-status Indians groups.
The lower court ruling basically says Métis people should receive the same rights and benefits status Indians currently receive and this ruling has been appealed by the federal government.
The other part of the ruling excluded non-status Indians saying these rights would have to be negotiated on an individual basis.
This ruling has been appealed by the Congress of Aboriginal People.
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette says he would rather have a negotiated settlement but is confident the Supreme Court will rule in favour of non-status Indians.
“I believe we are going to win but I myself would rather negotiate than go to court because you never know what you are going to get when you go to court,” he says.
There is no word on when the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the case but a decision could be years away.