Stand together and support Métis rights

Page 5

Dear Editor:

I see your situation as not a problem within the Métis Nation. As I see it, hunting is an ancestral right amongst the Métis peoples.

Canada should recognize this right Métis people have to this land we call Canada. Let's go back in history when Métis buffalo hunters provided food to the North West Mounted Police by hunting and mapping out new trails for Her Majesty, the Queen.

Hunting for Métis people was also seen as a religious practice, such as weddings or baptisms, first communions and also religious holidays. St. Jean Baptise day is an important day to the Métis. It would be celebrated by asking the father to bless the hunt or accompany the Métis hunters on the hunt during these special occasions. This practice was highly praised by the church in most Métis settlements.

What it comes down to is red tape within the government structure. In the interim, we should form our own panel of Métis hunters. Deal with this problem by creating a Métis hunting card representing our hunting rights within our own zones.

We as the Métis Nation should stand as one nation on this issue by joining other locals on this legal matter that still haunts our Métis people today within Canada's judicial system. I do not believe hunting for your family is a crime. I consider hunting for your family a right if you're hunting within your own traditional territories. It's seen as a right within our own communities by our Métis Elders.

Canada forgets our ancestors of the Métis Nation laid down a foundation for Canada by interpreting for the English, for example, the signing of Canada's treaties between the First Nations people. We helped make history and change the history between the First Nations people and England.

This is what came out of the deal between the Métis people of this country, a 'new nation called Canada' where our rights as Métis people would be respected and honored.

Pokey Kematch