New plan with Ottawa will see Manitoba Metis a self-governing nation

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is one step closer toward reaching a self-government agreement with the federal government.

Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett was in Winnipeg on Saturday to announce a three-part plan for moving forward to advance reconciliation with the Manitoba Metis community.

The plan builds on the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation, which was established in 2016, and includes $154.3 million of funding from Ottawa.

The announcement was made during the MMF’s annual general assembly in Winnipeg.

MMF President David Chartrand became emotional as he described how this announcement signifies a new relationship with Canada.

“This is going to change lives,” Chartrand told the crowd. “No longer can our unique history, rights and self-government be denied.”

Some of the money will be put toward improving the social and economic well-being of the Manitoba Metis community.

MMF Minister Judy Mayer said she hopes to see the money go toward housing for members in her community. She works in The Pas in northern Manitoba and said some of the smaller Metis settlements near there have inadequate housing.

Funding will also go toward helping the Manitoba Metis community gain full jurisdiction over legal status and a future of self-determination.

At the announcement Bennett said this is a big step toward reconciliation with the Metis people.

“This demonstrates concrete progress between the MMF and Canada,” she said. “It is an example of progress we want to be making coast to coast to coast with all Indigenous people.”

The self-government negotiations with the MMF are the first talks to get underway with a Metis collective in the southern provinces.

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6 thoughts on “New plan with Ottawa will see Manitoba Metis a self-governing nation

  1. Katherine says:

    Mr. Chartrand and the MMF are not authorized to negotiate on behalf of all Metis in Manitoba. He has failed to consult with MMF members and any other Metis on many issues including the failed Hydro project, Line 3 and the TPP pipelines, the 60s Scoop and child welfare and the Framework agreement. The MMF is a non-profit advocacy group, NOT a democratic government.

  2. Mr. Chartrand and the MMF are not authorized to negotiate on behalf of all Metis in Manitoba. He has failed to consult with MMF members and any other Metis on many issues including the failed Hydro project, Line 3 and the TPP pipelines, the 60s Scoop and child welfare and the Framework agreement. The MMF is a non-profit advocacy group, NOT a democratic government.

  3. The MMF does not represent a nation…. they should be known as part of the Martin clan…. that is all.

  4. The MMF does not represent a nation…. they should be known as part of the Martin clan…. that is all.

  5. The idea of self government is great. It is still hard to conceive of a government without a homeland to govern. How do you govern dispersed people? Reality is that MMF headquarters is the very symbol of poverty in Winnipeg, surrounded by tent villages, homeless shelters, a drunk tank, hotels and land the city is shutting down to tax issues. If all levels of governments worked with the Metis government, with land concessions inPoint Douglas, or the west side of Lake Manitoba, with all level of government supporting this investment there would be meaningful change in the Metis identity. But it seems that governments prefer to isolate the Metis people or integrate them into treaty people, governed by the Indian Act. And the identity of the Metis is still a question needing reconciliation.

  6. The idea of self government is great. It is still hard to conceive of a government without a homeland to govern. How do you govern dispersed people? Reality is that MMF headquarters is the very symbol of poverty in Winnipeg, surrounded by tent villages, homeless shelters, a drunk tank, hotels and land the city is shutting down to tax issues. If all levels of governments worked with the Metis government, with land concessions inPoint Douglas, or the west side of Lake Manitoba, with all level of government supporting this investment there would be meaningful change in the Metis identity. But it seems that governments prefer to isolate the Metis people or integrate them into treaty people, governed by the Indian Act. And the identity of the Metis is still a question needing reconciliation.

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