Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario Métis pen self-government deal, by Stanley Ugagbe

In a major groundbreaking feat that has been applauded by stakeholders, three Métis groups have signed a deal with the Canadian federal government that recognizes them as Indigenous governments, putting them on equal constitutional standing with First Nations and opening the door to further negotiations such as compensation for land lost.

Harping on the development, Audrey Poitras, president of the Métis Nation of Alberta said “For over 90 years, that has always been the dream — that proper recognition of a Métis government”.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller also signed the deal with the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and Métis Nation of Ontario.

In a statement, Miller said “We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Métis Nation of Alberta to co-develop approaches that deliver on our shared priorities for reconciliation and support their vision of a better future for the citizens and communities the Métis government represents”.

Remarkably, the deal builds on a 2019 accord that acknowledged the Métis right to self-government but stopped short of naming groups that would form those governments. The latest agreement does just that, said lawyer Jason Madden, who acted for the Alberta group.

To him, “This agreement says: ‘You’re a government’”.

It is imperative to note that the agreement gives the groups control over what it calls “core elements” of self-rule. That includes determining who is a Métis citizen, leadership selection and government operations.

More so, it brings the Métis groups under federal legislation that gives Indigenous governments control over family and child welfare.

Poitras stated that “For many, many years we’ve been stopping and starting, trying to find a way to take care of our own children. With the signing of this new agreement, it takes us one step further to really look after our own citizens.”

However, lawyer Madden said the signing is limited to those elements — for now.

He said “The agreement allows for supplemental jurisdiction agreements. (They) would be subsequently negotiated to deal with issues around land, harvesting, other things that may be more controversial.”

According to him, the federal Liberals have committed to bringing forward legislation that will enshrine the agreements in the Constitution.

On his part, Poitras also expects the deal will give Métis a stronger hand in negotiations with the province of Alberta.

The agreement also opens the door to further negotiations, including compensation for the notorious Métis scrip program.

Recall that in the late 19th century, Métis were given scrip — a type of coupon — in exchange for land they had occupied for generations. The scrip was meant to compensate Métis for extinguishing any claim on those lands.

But the program was rife with fraud.

Reports had it that while some charge that many Métis had their names forged on land transfer documents, others were victimized by speculators who bought up Métis land for pennies on the dollar.

Métis were often left landless on land they used to roam freely.

“Scrip is a sorry legacy in this country,” said Poitras.

Specifically, the deal mentioned that the signatory groups are now authorized to negotiate claims related to the scrip system.

It is germane to note that the three agreements signed recently aren’t the first to recognize Métis organizations as governments. The Métis Nation of Manitoba signed a similar deal in 2019.