On Saturday, the Manitoba Métis Federation signed a historic modern Métis treaty with the federal government – the first of its kind in the country.
While the agreement doesn’t come with a list of benefits for Métis in Manitoba, it commits Canada to working with the MMF on a government to government basis no matter which party holds power in Ottawa.
The modern treaty opens the door to future agreements with the federal government on fishing and harvesting rights, education, healthcare, child welfare, and land claims.
In the meantime, the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan has taken their own steps in previous years to lead them to a modern treaty as well.
These steps have included withdrawing from Bill C-53 to pursue their own self-governance treaty, the release of the Sacred Document of the Michif to guide this process, and several engagement sessions with Métis citizens.
MN-S president Glen McCallum spoke with MBC Radio News about how the process has been going.
McCallum says he wasn’t surprised to see the signing of the treaty with Métis in Manitoba and he says Métis in Saskatchewan are now waiting on the federal government to move before a treaty in this province can be signed.
“I’m confident in the engagement that we have done with our people,” McCallum told MBC Radio News. “The government is slow moving sometimes because of the protocols and processes that they use. And, in this case, it’s a little slower for us. But, I am very confident we’re gonna be soon behind Manitoba in signing a treaty.”
McCallum was asked about a possible timeline for when the MN-S could be signing a treaty of their own.
“I’m not gonna get into a guessing game,” said McCallum. “What I know is as soon as the the federal government is able move to be to sign, an initial in regards to treaty, we will be ready. So I’ll wait for that.”
McCallum did indicate he feels the middle of December will see things start moving in the proper direction.
Over 30,000 people in the province are registered as Métis citizens with the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan.
(TOP PHOTO – File photoe of MN-S President Glen McCallum)