Métis anticipate win in Supreme Court

Métis National Council President Clement Chartier was keynote speaker at the Métis Nation Constitution Workshop held Dec. 11 and 12 in Ottawa.

The workshop came as the Supreme Court of Canada was to hear a land claim launched by the Manitoba Métis Federation dating back to the Métis resistance of the late 1800s.

“A victory by the MMF will set the stage for the negotiation of a contemporary land claims agreement which includes self-government,” said Chartier. The Supreme Court heard arguments on Dec. 13.

Chartier said the case will alter the way in which the federal government views the rights of the Métis. The Manitoba Court of Appeal has already upheld certain legal principles that will have significant implications going forward, Chartier added.

Over the two-day workshop, a variety of presentations addressed a range of issues under consideration as the Métis Nation develops the framework for a Métis Nation Constitution.

Chartier’s address outlined why a constitution was needed and a process for achieving it.

“We will need our own constitution to define the nature of the government that will exercise powers under that agreement,” said Chartier about the possible land claims settlement.

But Chartier moved beyond the lawsuit saying “As a distinct people and nation, with the right to self-determination, we should be governing ourselves under own laws drawn from our own constitution rather than the bylaws of non-profit societies.”

A series of panels examined the priorities of Métis Nation governments–in the areas of language and culture preservation and promotion, child and family health services and supports, education and training, and economic development—and how these could be included in a constitution.

In ‘A Constitution for the 21st Century’ delegates examined a series of graphics illustrating the current structure of the MNC and governing members and how it may be impacted by the adoption of a constitution.

Delegates also reviewed a series of worksheets identifying the key questions to be addressed as the Métis Nation moves towards the 2013 Constitution Convention and adopting a Métis Nation Constitution.

Delegates also heard from two other special speakers during the Workshop. Former minister of Aboriginal Affairs and the Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis, Chuck Strahl, was asked to offer his thoughts on the importance of the Métis Nation developing a Constitution and some suggestions that should be considered to ensure success.

The second special speaker was the President of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Peru (CONAIP) Hugo Tacuri, who delivered a keynote speech on International Indigenous Rights.