Federal Government to Sign Historic Modern Treaty with Métis Nation
Ceremony Set for Winnipeg to Mark New Era in Reconciliation
The Canadian federal government is set to make history by signing its first-ever modern treaty with a Métis government. The landmark agreement will be formalized in Winnipeg on Saturday afternoon, with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) President David Chartrand leading the ceremony.
This agreement officially recognizes the MMF as the government of the Red River Métis, fulfilling a promise that dates back more than 150 years.
A Turning Point for Canada
“This is a turning point for our country,” said MMF President David Chartrand. “We can’t change history, but we can change the future.”
The roots of this treaty go back to the Manitoba Act of 1870, negotiated by Métis leader Louis Riel. The act was intended to secure land and economic opportunities for the Métis as Manitoba joined Confederation. However, federal commitments were largely unfulfilled, and Riel’s leadership was met with resistance. He was executed in 1885, and it wasn’t until February 2024 that Manitoba recognized him as its honorary first premier.
Now, 154 years later, the new treaty symbolizes a long-overdue step toward justice.
Treaty Signals Government-to-Government Partnership
The treaty establishes a government-to-government relationship between Canada and the MMF, ensuring continued collaboration regardless of political shifts in Ottawa. Minister Anandasangaree called the agreement “a monumental day for reconciliation” and emphasized its historical significance.
“This treaty is about restoring the rightful place of the Red River Métis within Confederation,” Chartrand added. “It’s a win-win for all of Canada to truly understand the importance of the Métis people.”
Path to Future Agreements
While the treaty does not outline specific benefits, it paves the way for future negotiations on key issues, including land claims, fishing and harvesting rights, education, child welfare, and health coverage. Currently, the Métis are excluded from federal health benefits available to Inuit and First Nations, a disparity Chartrand hopes to address swiftly.
The MMF initiated discussions with the federal government in 2021, culminating in a unanimous vote of support by approximately 4,000 delegates in June 2023.
Minister Anandasangaree warned against attempts to undo this historic progress, stating, “Any government that wants to undo the work we have done … will pay a very steep price.”
A New Chapter for the Red River Métis
For Métis citizens, the treaty represents the fulfillment of a vision first pursued by their ancestors. As Chartrand called on all political parties to respect the agreement, he highlighted its broader significance: “This isn’t just a victory for the Métis—it’s a victory for Canada.”
The signing ceremony in Winnipeg marks a pivotal moment in Canada’s reconciliation journey and the beginning of a new chapter for the Red River Métis and the nation as a whole.
Source : Swifteradio.com
