President’s Message defense after Governor Semple and his men fired on Métis Nation. This is important and commendable. them. They had rode out to meet Grant and his men Becoming a Citizen of the Métis Nation is about more with guns to prevent them from carrying goods to than a card – it will help you shape our governance their trading partners on Lake Winnipeg. and access Metis specific economic, education and other important opportunities. To commemorate the life of this important Métis Leader, the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Métis This is an important time in our Nation’s history. National Council will be hosting a number of events The work we do today will influence our Nation for during the week of June 19th. The celebrations will generations to come. As a Métis Citizen, you’ll have include a planned exhibit of the Coltman Report at a voice in setting our Nation’s course for the future. the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a special Contact our Central Registry Office today at (204) unveiling at the site of the Battle of Seven Oaks, 586-8474 or visit www.mmf.mb.ca/membership. This June will mark an important anniversary for the and other exciting activities including a special php to apply for Citizenship or to make sure your Métis Nation. June 19th will be exactly two hundred announcement from our Métis Government. Citizenship card and information is up to date. years since the Battle of Seven Oaks. This was a day I also want to encourage you to keep an eye out for when the Métis, led by Cuthbert Grant, took a stand With all the great things something special taking place at the end of May. against oppression and showed the world we will happening in our Nation, many You will not want to miss this. Keep an eye on our defend our way of life, our livelihood and our families. Citizens are experiencing a website, social media and Le Metis for more details It was also connected to the first time our Métis as the end of the month draws closer. National Flag was flown – a defining moment for the deepening and renewal of their Métis Nation. Métis Pride! Finally, this past week I had a great meeting with the new Premier of our Province – the Right Honourable In the aftermath of the Battle, the Métis were Brian Pallister. I had opportunity to congratulate him As a matter of fact, we have a number of exciting portrayed as renegades and outlaws. However, the on a well-run election campaign and assured him the events and important announcements coming up British government’s own independent investigator, Manitoba Metis Federation and the Métis Citizens of in the next month. This is on the heels of an historic Lieutenant Colonel William B. Coltman, concluded Manitoba stand ready to partner with his government time in Ottawa when the Supreme Court reaffirmed the Métis led by Cuthbert Grant only fired in self- as we move our mutual interests forward. The Premier the federal government has a constitutional and also assured me the Métis Citizens of Manitoba are jurisdictional responsibility for the Métis Nation. I am important to him and his Cabinet. He has committed presently in meetings with the federal government to developing an open, transparent and respectful Find the latest news online to fully understand the far reaching implication and government-to-government relationship with the implement the full promise as presented by this Manitoba Metis Federation. ManitobaMetisFederationOfficial ruling. In closing, I offer my best wishes for those who are With all the great things happening in our Nation, sick or shut-in. May they be blessed with healing, @MBMetis_MMF many Citizens are experiencing a deepening and health, and peace. I pray for and share my heartfelt renewal of their Métis Pride! This is wonderful condolences and deepest sympathies for all our ManitobaMetisMMF and satisfying to see. I have instructed our Central neighbours, friends, and families who have lost loved Registry Office to prepare to welcome our Métis ones. May they be comforted during their difficult Citizens Home. Already many numbers of our Métis www.mmf.mb.ca time. People are for the first time taking the necessary steps to be registered and recognized as Citizens of the Meeqwetch, President David Chartrand, LL.D. (hon), O.M. Overview of Daniels vs Canada Ruling On Apr. 14, 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Métis are recognized as “Indians” under Section 91(24) of the Constitution Act (1867), as a result of the Daniels vs. Canada case. The Métis are now included as one of the three Indigenous groups recognized as “Indians” under the Constitution Act (1867), along with First Nations and Inuit. As result of the ruling, the federal government is now responsible for negotiating with the Métis as a nation. This decision establishes that the Métis Nation can approach the federal government about issues relating to their citizens, and the government has a positive responsibility to acknowledge, discuss, and negotiate issues brought forward by the Métis Nation. Visit www.mmf.mb.ca/daniels_decision.php to view a summary of the Daniels vs. Canada ruling. Since the Métis are considered “Indians” under Court recognizes the Métis as a culturally distinct (1867) states the federal government has “authority the Constitution Act of 1867, do we have the same group within the legal term “Indian”, just as it over all Aboriginal peoples”. Until now, the federal access to health benefits and government programs recognizes Inuit as “Indian”. The Métis are considered government denied that the Métis were included as First Nations and Inuit? “Indians”, but still have their own separate identity, in Section 91(24). The ruling in the Daniels case history, language, and culture from Inuit and First ensures the federal government now has legislative No. Even though the Métis are now recognized as Nations. responsibility to the Métis. “Indians” under the Constitution Act (1867), each of the three groups considered “Indian” are still defined Do the Métis still have to pay taxes? Does this ruling do away with the Powley Test? and recognized as their own distinct group with their Yes. The Daniels case ruling only means the federal No. This ruling does not remove the Powley Test as set own rights. The ruling in the Daniels case means the government is responsible for negotiating with the in R v. Powley (2003). The Powley Test is a process Métis, as “Indians”, can negotiate with the federal Métis Nation. The ruling has no effect on existing used to identify and define Métis rights through a set government about Métis rights and possible health Métis taxation. of criteria. The Constitution of the Manitoba Metis benefits and access to government programs in the Federation adheres to the Powley Test. Article III: 1(a) future. Do the Métis now get free health care? of the MMF Constitution states: Each of the three Indigenous groups of Canada No. The Daniels case ruling only means the federal “Métis” means a person who self-identifies as (Métis, Inuit, and First Nations) are recognized as government is responsible for negotiating with the Métis, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry, is culturally distinct groups with their own separate Métis Nation. The ruling has no effect on existing distinct from other Aboriginal Peoples and is identity, history, language, and culture. Métis health care. accepted by the Métis Nation Does this mean the Métis are “status Indians” Does the decision affect Métis hunting and fishing under the Indian Act? rights? No. The Métis are recognized as “Indians” under the No. The Daniels case ruling only means the Constitution Act (1867), but this does not apply to federal government is responsible for negotiating the Indian Act. The Métis are not “status Indians”. with the Métis Nation. The ruling has no effect on existing Métis hunting and fishing rights. Why is this decision so important for the Métis? Métis Harvesters can still hunt according to The ruling that the Métis are recognized as “Indians” the Metis Laws of the Harvest. Additional will help create a foundation for future discussions information can also be found on our website at: with the federal government about Métis rights, www.mmf.mb.ca/harvester_application.php. interests, issues, and claims. In the past, both the Does this mean the federal government controls federal and provincial governments refused to take the Métis now? jurisdiction over the Métis, denying them access Save the Date to federal programs and services available to First No. This only means the federal government has Nations and Inuit. This caused the Métis Nation to the ability to legislate in relation to Métis issues and become a “political hot potato”, bouncing between discuss those issues with the Métis on a nation-to- both levels of government without a specified process nation basis. th or place to have their rights and claims addressed. 48 Now, the federal government is responsible for Do I need a new membership/citizenship card? negotiating with the Métis Nation. No. The ruling has no effect on the existing Métis Annual General Assembly The Supreme Court recognizes the Métis as a Nation’s membership/citizenship definition. September 23 - 25, 2016 culturally distinct group within the legal term For more information on citizenship please visit: “Indian”, just as it recognizes Inuit as “Indian”. The www.mmf.mb.ca/membership.php Métis are considered “Indians”, but still have their Winnipeg, Manitoba own separate identity, history, language, and culture What’s in Section 91(24) of the Constitution Act of from Inuit and First Nations.