Manitoba Metis Federation to sign modern treaty with Canada [Video]

OTTAWA –

The Manitoba Metis Federation will be the first Metis group to sign a modern treaty with the federal government, bringing a near conclusion to a more than 150-year fight for recognition.

“I need to get some chapstick because I can’t stop smiling,” said Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand.

“This is one of the great times in our history, one of the truly historical moments that will live on forever.”

The signing ceremony, set for Saturday, will recognize the Manitoba Metis Federation as the government of the Red River Metis, with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree expected to attend.

The treaty — which Chartrand said was years in the making — doesn’t lay out specific rights around health care, harvesting or land, but he said those aspects will likely be negotiated later with the federal government on a nation-to-nation basis.

An agreement was signed in 2021 to recognize the Manitoba …