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Metis Act proclaimed

Article Origin

Author

Ross Kimble, Sage Writer, Regina

Volume

6

Issue

5

Year

2002

Page 6

On January 28, the Government of Saskatchewan took a major step forward in its ongoing relationship with the province's Metis populace by proclaiming the Metis Act. The new legislation formally recognizes the contributions Metis people have made to Saskatchewan and paves the way for further negotiations in all areas of interest to this large segment of the population.

"The Metis Act strengthens our relationships with the Metis people by acknowledging their contributions to this province over the years," Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Axworthy said at the proclamation.

"This act acknowledges our history and the ongoing contributions that we, as Metis people, have made to the economic, social and cultural makeup of Saskatchewan. It is giving recognition where recognition is due," added Clem Chartier, president of the Metis Nation - Saskatchewan. "The act is setting the stage for a brighter future for all Saskatchewan Metis."

The province's stated goals in enacting the Metis Act are to have the Metis people become full participants in the provincial economy, for them to be recognized as equal members of Saskatchewan society, and for them to receive all their constitutional rights as one of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

Though first and foremost, the new act is a tool to formally recognize the Metis' contributions to the province's and the county's development and prosperity, it also deals with long outstanding issues of governance and accountability.

The Metis Nation - Saskatchewan (MSN) has been working since 1976 to improve the lives of the more than 80,000 Metis within the province, but until now was not formally acknowledged as a governing body. The Metis Act addresses this issue by removing the MSN from the Non-Profit Corporations Act and establishing the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc.

With this change in legal status come a number of new responsibilities, reporting requirements and processes for the conduct of the secretariat's operations. These changes are meant to ensure accountability in MSN operations - any Metis person of Saskatchewan now has a legal right to access MSN bylaws, minutes of meetings, resolutions, a list of the directors, all committees of the corporation, notices and the annual audited financial statements.

"Accountability requirements are important," pointed out Pat Lorje, minister of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training, who was the minister of Aboriginal Affairs at the time of the act's introduction in the spring of 2001. "The specific provisions included in the act provide a solid foundation for the MNS to maintain effective systems of accountability."

The act commits the province and the MSN to work together on a number of issues. These include working toward a framework for the transfer of provincial program and service delivery to the MSN, discussing access to land and opportunities for economic development, and enhancing the governance and accountability for all Metis communities and institutions. Minister Axworthy and President Chartier signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Jan 28 proclamation to undertake this collaborative work.

"The province has consulted extensively with the Metis people and the Metis Nation - Saskatchewan in drafting the act," said Axworthy. "It creates a positive environment for the growth and development of the Metis community and its institutions."