The president of the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan says he is glad Metis in Manitoba have secured a deal on hunting and fishing rights.
Robert Doucette says it is always good to see government and the Metis settling their differences this way rather than going through the courts.
The agreement was signed Saturday, and recognizes Metis rights for domestic use in locations that have been agreed on by both the Manitoba government and the Manitoba Metis Federation.
It also uses the federation’s Metis Laws of the Hunt as the basis for developing new provincial regulations to govern Metis hunting and fishing.
Manitoba says cards that are issued by the federation will be recognized as a means for hunters to identify themselves as Metis.
Doucette says talks are still on-going between the MN-S and the Saskatchewan government for a deal in this province.
He is hoping a settlement is just months away:
“Well, I’m hoping earlier in 2013 that we’ll actually have an agreement that we’ve pencilled out. We’ll take it to our people and, hopefully, they’ll see the merit in it and we’ll have an agreement.”
Doucette says there is a confidentiality clause over the talks, though — and he can’t reveal specific details right now.