Métis Groups in 3 Provinces Sign Self-Governance Deals with Ottawa

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller participates in a news conference in Ottawa on Oct. 29, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Métis groups in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have signed deals with Ottawa that officially grant them self-governance over matters like citizenship, elections, and other administration affairs within their jurisdictions.

The deals give them the groups recognition as Indigenous governments and place them on equal constitutional standing with other First Nations and also opens up the possibility for further negotiations, such as compensation for lost land.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller signed the agreements with the groups on Feb. 24. They follow a previous self-governance deal signed in 2019 that acknowledged the Métis’ right to self government, but did not specify groups that would represent the Métis communities and citizens within the provinces.

Speaking of the agreement signed with the Métis Nation of Ontario, Miller said it will “revitalize and transform our government-to-government relationship.”

“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Métis Nation of Ontario to co-develop approaches that deliver on our shared priorities for reconciliation,” he said in a news release on Feb. 24.

His department also wrote that the agreement “touches upon core governance issues that are viewed as key facets of the Indigenous right to self-determination and self-government.”

It also commits Ottawa and the Métis Nation of Ontario to further negotiations within the next two years that are intended to move toward a “core self-government treaty.”

Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras said the deal signed with her group will give it control over matters like housing and child and family services.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.