Letter - Embracing our Métis rights

Dear Editor:
Recently, there have been numerous victories within the courts affirming our Métis rights to hunt fish and trap. The Powley, Belhumeur, and Laviolette decisions have shown us how irrelevant provincial boundaries are to our hunting traditions. But some governments continue to argue these are limits with great significance.
These borders are just lines on a map with no real substance and cannot be used to divide our people or deny our rights.
As I have said before, we are born with our rights; the government never gave them to us. I also say that, no matter where our Métis live, whether it is north, south, east or west, our Métis rights apply to us all.
Recently, Alberta wildlife officers have ticketed several Métis for illegal hunting, which has set the stage for a new court battle over our right to hunt and fish and trap for food year-round without a license.
Saskatchewan Métis have just won a similar legal fight and final arguments have been heard last month in a Manitoba Métis hunting rights case.
I expect that the respective governments will appeal, and attempt to further tie up the courts in the recognition of our inherent rights.
The Métis have a track record of winning such legal battles, but we would prefer to negotiate long-term harvesting agreements rather than wrangle in court. It is unfortunate we have to go this route, however, we will defend our people.
Once in court, we will again prove there is lots of evidence that Métis have rights. We have won before and we will win again.
We are a nation of people. The declaration of our nationhood, the raising of our infinity flag, and our legal, political and military battles are the historic foundations upon which we will build our future.
Remain Métis, now, and more than ever.