Metis Nation of Alberta looking forward to benefits from self-government deal
Posted March 3, 2023 3:10 pm.
Last week the federal government officially recognized the three Metis groups 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.
READ MORE: Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario Metis sign self government deal
“That’s what changes the lives of our citizens, is the ability to give program delivery and services that meet their needs, as opposed to just program by program depending on the interests of any given government at the time,” said Garrett Tomlinson, Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA).
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller also signed the deal with the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan and Metis Nation of Ontario.
Tomlinson says while each province negotiated their own agreements, they all entered with the same goal in mind; to create services and programs tailored specifically to the metis community.
“We know there’s a history of inequity that the Metis have faced in Canada, both economically and socially. So providing education supports, as well as social supports and social programming, it’s designed for the unique circumstances that the Metis have faced in Canada historically, and that still affect us contemporarily, whether it be from child and family services, through to health or education.”
The MNA’s vote to ratify was 96 per cent in favor. That overwhelming majority is important when it comes to future negotiations with the federal government
“In the signing of this agreement, Canada agreed with the process that we undertook to ratify that constitution as the Nation, and they agree that it’s valid. It is binding upon the nation, and they accept it as such,” said Tomlinson.
Under the new agreement, the MNA has authority over child and family services for Metis citizens in Alberta. The MNA and the Canadian government will also enter negotiations to move towards a core self-government treaty within the next two years.
The next priority for the MNA is to introduce federal implementation legislation, which could be tabled as early as this month.
– With files from the Canadian Press
