Saskatchewan Metis adopt new constitution

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The Metis took another step towards realizing self-government.

Members from the Saskatchewan Metis Nation voted to adopt a new constitution designed to establish the First Metis legislative assembly in Canada at their December assembly.

Metis National council Gerald Morin said the assembly of nearly 700 delegates voted 98 per cent in favor of the constitution that will allow the Metis to assert their own laws under their inherent right to self-government.

The new legislative assembly would amalgamate the SMN's current political structure, which includes three elected executive officers, 12 regional directors and 120 local presidents.

Five members of the Saskatchewan Metis Women's Association would also be guaranteed representation in the new government, which will give the Metis people greater access to the decision-making process, Morin said.

Although still in the planning stage, the constitution would replace the Non-profit Corporations Act as the law regulating the association. The new deal would also outline the Metis stand on land claims, revenue sharing with provincial and federal governments, transfer payments and taxation.

"The new constitution's laid a solid foundation," he said.

Morin said he expects little opposition from Ottawa or the province because both governments have previously recognized the Metis' inherent rights to self-government.

Saskatchewan already signed a bilateral framework agreement to negotiate on social programs, Morin said. And Ottawa recognized the Metis' inherent right to self-government during the Charlottetown Accord talks.

The Liberal government has also come out in favor of an independent Metis Nation, he said.