Metis Collective Rights

Unlike the First Nations The Metis do not have any historic treaties with Canada’s government. 1869 – 1870 The Red River Resistance led to the Manitoba Act. This established Manitoba as bilingual, and gave the Metis land rights. The Metis would receive more than 500 000 hectares of land in addition to land already owned 1875 – 1879 The government issued SCRIP instead of establishing Metis lands. The Metis were to choose between the scrip, or becoming treaty Indians under a numbered treaty The government believed the Metis were not entitled to land like the First Nations were.

And it continues… 1885 The Northwest Resistance tried to protect Metis lands in Saskatchewan. For the Metis it was a way to assert their rights. For the government of Canada it was an attempt to overthrow Canada’s authority 1896 – 1910 Metis settlers set up farms at St. Paul des Metis. On land provided by the Catholic Church. The Metis did not have title to this land, and had to leave when the settlement was closed.

Getting closer… 1938 L’Association des Metis de l’Alberta et des Territoires du Nord-Ouest lobbied Alberta’s government to set aside land for the Metis The gov’t passed the Metis Population Betterment Act, this gave the Metis 12 temporary settlements – the first time in history the gov’t gave Metis land. 1940-1960 The settlements did not give the Metis control of the land. Four of the settlements proved to be unsuitable for farming, hunting or fishing, the settlements were closed and the land was returned to the Government of Alberta

Into the 80’s (and 90’s)… 1982 The Metis lobbied for recognition of Metis rights in Canada’s constitution. The constitution included section 35 which recognizes the Metis as one of Canada’s aboriginal peoples with rights. 1990 Alberta created legislation which gave the Metis their settlements as permanent land bases, the Metis were granted the right to manage their own affairs The Metis were given the right to develop oil and gas resources on settlement lands.

And recently (like the past ten years)… 2003 The Supreme Court gave the Metis the right to hunt and fish as one of Canada’s Aboriginal people. The rights recognize the unique relationship to the land, based in history and their inherent rights as an Aboriginal People. 2004 In two negotiations Alberta recognized the Metis rights to hunt and fish without a licence. In 2007 the Government restricted these rights and put rules on the hunting and fishing rights of the Metis

Perspectives In 2006 The Metis in Manitoba launched a court case seeking compensation for land promised but not delivered in the Manitoba Act Varying thoughts The Metis are Indigenous people and should be protected and allowed to keep their culture and their ways of life The Metis are the same as every other person in Canada and should have the same hunting and fishing rights as everyone else.

YOUR TASK…. Using the information in this powerpoint, and your text book. Write a response to the following question…. Do you believe that the Metis should have their rights and culture protected by the government, or should they be required to follow the same rules as others. Why or why not?