1. How does our government recognize Métis cultures and rights?

2. 1869 – 1870 Red River Resistance
Métis led resistance resulted in the Manitoba Act passed by Parliament in
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.
Despite this agreement… basically little by little none of this was really upheld

3. 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)

4. Northwest Resistance - 1885
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.

5. Northwest Resistance - 1885
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.

6. Louis Riel Riel hung for treason in Regina on Nov. 16, 1885.
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”
Riel tried and hung for treason in Regina on Nov. 16, 1885.
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 all ethnic groups consider Louis Riel a Father of Confederation who upheld the rights of Aboriginal people and Francophone's in western Canada.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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”

10. 1982 Constitution
Métis lobbied to be recognized in Canada’s constitution.
Métis included in Constitution; included in section 35 of Constitution recognizing

11. 1990 Constitution of Alberta Amendment Act
Métis Settlement Accord Implementation Act
Métis Settlement Act
Métis Settlements Land Protection Act

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