Group’s withdrawal of support puts process in jeopardy

The Toronto Star: The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan’s announcement last week that they were withdrawing their support for Bill C-53 — legislation aimed at recognizing Métis self-governance by creating a path for treaties with some Métis governments — has created uncertainty about the bill’s future.

The bill has been criticized by First Nations and Métis groups across Canada since it was introduced last June. They argue it calls into question how Métis identity is determined — and who has the right to claim that identity.

Several also say the bill gives Ottawa the power to formally recognize Métis communities — particularly in Ontario — that they say do not exist, and will affect their own treaty and land rights.

But Métis groups in favour of the bill say it will protect their constitutional rights and allow them to govern their own communities.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is Bill C-53?

Bill C-53 was proposed by the Trudeau government as a way to allow for the self-government rights of Métis nations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario by providing a framework for future “self-government treaties.”

Self-government would give the nations the power to make decisions about their communities, such as education and child welfare.

The bill builds upon agreements signed with the Métis Nation Alberta (MNA), Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) and Métis Nation Ontario (MNO) in February 2023, recognizing each as the Indigenous government for their members.

But the Métis nations involved say they have faced a frustrating colonial legislative process that was unfair, demoralizing, racist, fraught with misinformation and denied Métis identity.

And Métis Nation Ontario has faced opposition from First Nations in Ontario, as well as the Manitoba Métis Federation, who argue they falsely claim Métis identity and homelands.

What are the stakes?

The bill represents a high-stakes game for both Métis and First Nations groups in Canada.

For the MNA and MNO, the bill means security for their children, protection of Métis culture, provides government structure for their nations and ultimately, reconciliation.

“Self-government legislation will allow us to ensure that Métis babies and children who end up in the foster care system are not lost to our communities, and we’ll never stop fighting for kids and for our communities,” said MNA President Andrea Sandmaier.

But many First Nations in Ontario say the bill falsely asserts the existence of historical Métis communities in the province.

The Chiefs of Ontario deny the existence of six historic Métis communities in Ontario that were recognized by the Ontario government in 2017. These communities are recognized by MNO, which was founded in 1993 and represents more than 28,000 Métis citizens across the province.

Scott McLeod, Nipissing First Nation Chief and spokesperson for the Chiefs of Ontario’s rights assertion committee, said the bill’s process has lacked due diligence when it comes to verifying the Métis nations that would be receiving Indigenous and self-government rights.

“When it came to the Métis Nation of Ontario, there’s no evidence to support who they say they are,” McLeod said.

MNO president Margaret Froh said there has been a decades long history of denying and neglecting Métis and Métis governments, but relationships between First Nations and Métis have been in place for a very long time.

“Historically, our people were allies. We were kin. There was recognition, there were relationships there,” Froh said.

Froh said their leadership is working hard to rekindle those relationships.

Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) also deny MNO’s claims, arguing there is only one Métis nation, originating from the Red River Métis in Manitoba.

What happens now?

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern affairs has concluded its debate and passed the bill for a third reading in the House of Commons on Feb. 8. However, the bill has stalled since then.

It’s not clear how the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan’s withdrawal will affect the bill.

“Our citizens felt that we needed to go on a path on our own,” said MN-S vice-president and justice minister Michelle LeClair. “It was a decision that our council made based on a whole number of things, but we’re already in the treaty process.”

LeClair said MN-S is confident that going through the treaty process with the federal government on their own will be less challenging than the past 10 months have been negotiating Bill C-53. She said the nation has a “solid foundation” as Métis and with other First Nations in the province.

MNA and MNO have both said they intend to continue pursuing self-government and self-determination, through Bill C-53 or on their own if needed.

The Chiefs of Ontario said they want a pause on the bill’s process to look into MNO’s claims, while Manitoba Métis Federation said they want the bill killed and believe Métis Nation-Saskatchewan’s withdrawal might have already done so.

Joanna Sivasankaran, spokesperson for the Ministry of Crown Indigenous Relations, said the ministry will continue to work with the Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan “to recognize their rights, in ways that work for them and in the spirit of reconciliation.”