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As must be evident from the content of this paper, there is one fundamental concept I am intent on communicating to Canadians, and that is the historic fact that. there were and are Métis communities and cultures before and after Red River who have Aboriginal rights. Public and even government ignorance of that fact is impeding a whole segment of Canadaín Aboriginal population from achieving a just and equitable accommodation of their birthright.
In order to set the stage for a new relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, an increased awareness of these Métis populations is a essential component. Without that awareness, the relationship will be built on false foundations -- as they have been for the last 300 years.
In a nutshell, it is clear that if all of the Métis peoples of Canada are to take their rightful place along side their Indian and Inuit brothers and sisters, the following minimum process and/or vehicles must be in place.
1. A process by which Métis individuals, groups, communities, regions and nations can identify themselves in the context of an inclusive framework for enumeration.
2. A process to directly address the Aboriginal and Treaty rights and Claims of all Métis population to whom those rights pertain, as set out in Charlottetown Accord,
3. A legal, and preferably constitutional,
commitment to negotiate self-government
agreement as set out in the
Charlottetown Accord.
4. A long term public education campaign
to increase awareness in the
Canadian public of the diversity of
Métis populations in Canada.
5. A long term education campaign to increase awareness in the Aboriginal community of the diversity of Métis populations in Canada.
If the paper has served its intended purpose, the foundation has been laid to make the following direct conclusions. The first group of conclusions addresses the current constitutional status of Métis, wherever they originated and wherever they now live in Canada.
1. There are many diverse and distinct Métis populations in Canada which both pre-date and post-date the Red River Métis populations.
2. The term "Metis," whatever its origins or historical application, was negotiated into the Constitution Act, 1992, to recognize
these diverse and distinct populations as Aboriginal people within the meaning of Section 35.
3. The Aboriginal and Treaty rights recognized and confirmed in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, are applicable to any Métis population anywhere in Canada which can demonstrate a legitimate historic and/or current relationship to such rights.
The second group of conclusions addresses the difficulties Métis face in trying to assert their identity and/or their Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.
1. The confusion, both historic and current, over the use and application of the term "Métis" is a major impediment to the access to Aboriginal and Treaty rights by the persons to whom the constitutional term "Métis" was intended to apply.
2. Federal and provincial governments have only addressed Métis concerns in the context of adversarial modes of conflict- management, rather than the accommodative modes of conflict resolution, resulting in a virtual impasse on the issues of Aboriginal and Treaty rights for Métis.
3. Within the Aboriginal community itself,
there are deep seated misunderstandings
which contribute to the
resistance Métis people experience
when they try to access their
Aboriginal and Treaty rights, or when they try to benefit
from government programs and services designed to
serve the Aboriginal community.
4. There is a general lack of awareness on the part of all Canadians, including governments, bureaucrats, politicians, and Aboriginal people of the nature of the Métis population in Canada and their "status" as Aboriginal people with Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
The third group of conclusions relates to the future of Métis peoples in Canada and how they might be successfully accommodated as Aboriginal people with Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
1. A national forum must be created in which all of the Métis peoples in Canada can begin to address the issues listed above.
2. The existing mechanisms and processes (i.e. constitutional reform, 91(24), comprehensive and specific claims, treaty, and self-government negotiations) must be revamped to ensure full access for Métis peoples.
3. A national education campaign must be implemented to enable the various Métis collectivities in Canada to identify themselves to other Canadians on a local, regional and national basis.
The final group of conclusion relates to how the Royal Commission can be helpful in assisting the Métis of Canada to achieve their aspirations as an Aboriginal people.
1. Highlight in the final report and recommendation of the Royal Commission that many Métis peoples exist in Canada.
2. In each of the areas listed above, recommend that special initiatives are required to achieve equity for Métis everywhere in Canada in terms of access to those Aboriginal and Treaty rights which pertain to them.
3. Call for a national meeting of representatives
of Métis communities,
including urban communities of interest, from
all across Canada to address these issues and propose resolutions
to them.
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