How do governments recognize Métis cultures and rights through legislation?

Points of Fact Métis considered part of Canada’s aboriginal peoples under section 35 of constitution. Métis do not have any historical treaties with Canadian government. Métis consider rights to land, and rights to use land in traditional ways, as inherent rights, rights they have because they are first nations peoples.

1869 – 1870 Red River Resistance Métis led resistance resulted in the Manitoba Act passed by Parliament in Provisional government established by Métis with Louis Riel as its president. Riel championed the cause for both Métis and Francophone rights. Established; Manitoba a bilingual province Had education rights for Catholics and Protestants. Métis land rights. Métis would receive over 500,000 hectares of land plus land they had established along the Red River.

Scrip Canada’s government issue scrip to Métis, instead of establishing Métis lands in Manitoba. Métis offered choice: to accept scrip or become “Treaty Indians” under Numbered Treaty. Government view was; Métis did not have same rights to land as First Nations – did not require reserves. Métis perspective was/is – Métis have rights to land as an aboriginal people. Scrip could be exchanged for land, but Métis found it difficult to use scrip to establish a large tract of land where they could all live together. Many Métis sold their scrip and left Manitoba and moved west (Alberta and Saskatchewan)

Northwest Resistance This resistance was about protecting Metis lands in Saskatchewan, as railway and settlers moved westward. Métis view was a way to assert their rights – like Red River Resistance. Canadian government – saw it as an attempt to overthrow Canada's authority.

Northwest Resistance Louis Riel led this resistance which ended in a military conflict between the Metis and Canada’s government. Metis sent petitions to Ottawa about land rights, however the government did not respond. Did government neglect or dismiss petition.

Louis Riel Riel hung for treason in Regina on Nov. 16, Many Anglophones agreed with the sentence. Most Francophone's opposed the sentence and saw it as a betrayal of the Francophone- Anglophone agreement at the foundation of Confederation. Today many people consider Louis Riel a “Father of Confederation”

1896 – 1910 St. Paul Métis settlers establish farms near St. Paul, Alberta (St. Paul des Métis)– on land provided by the Catholic Church. Eventually had to leave the land after settlement closed because they did not have title to the land.

1938 – Métis Population Betterment Act This Act established twelve temporary Métis settlements. The first time in Canada’s history a government provided the Métis people with land.

1946 – 1960 Temporary settlements did not give Métis control over the land. Four settlements proved unsuitable for farming, hunting or fishing, land went to government of Alberta. Métis nation of Alberta 1932 lobbied for Métis settlements during “Depression”

1982 Constitution Métis lobbied to be recognized in Canada’s constitution. Métis included in Constitution; included in section 35 of Constitution recognizing

1990 Constitution of Alberta Amendment Act Métis Settlement Accord Implementation Act Métis Settlement Act Métis Settlements Land Protection Act

Questions Based on information in this section, what would you say is the most important legislation that recognizes Métis collective rights in Canada? Why? How do governments recognize Métis cultures and rights through legislation (i.e., treaties, governance, land claims, Métis Settlements in Alberta)?