The president of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan says he doesn’t understand the federal government’s rationale for appealing a recent court decision.

Robert Doucette had hoped Ottawa would accept the decision which recognized the constitutional rights of Métis people and non-status Indians but instead he says they’re about to waste a lot of money appealing it.

“And yet we have elders hitchhiking on the roads in skidoo suits to go to their medical appointments,” he says.

Doucette adds he hoped the court ruling would spark meaningful discussion on ways of helping impoverished Métis people.

The MNS president says he wants to see Conservative MPs in the province doing a better job of standing up for Métis people.