Manitoba Metis Federation signs modern treaty with the federal government [Video]

Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand told a ceremony for a new treaty that recognizes his organization as the government for the Red River Metis that the moment was 154 years in the making.

“We will pursue something that’s rightfully ours, and no matter how long it takes, we will never give up.We will try and try and try,” Chartrand told the ceremony in Winnipeg on Saturday.

The federation is the first Metis group to sign a modern treaty with the federal government, and the ceremony came after its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the agreement last year during an assembly.

It recognizes the Red River Metis have an inherent right to self-government and law-making powers over their own citizenship, elections and other operations.

While the treaty doesn’t lay out specific rights around health care, harvesting or land, Chartrand has said those aspects will likely be negotiated later with …