President's Corner - November 1, 2024
Posted on: Nov 01, 2024
The law is like a living tree. It grows and adapts as times change. In recent years, we’ve seen courts and the Crown begin to acknowledge the legitimacy of Indigenous self-determination. As we continue our journey towards self-governance, we must remember that the law is just one more tool we can use to chart our path forward and advance the rights of the Métis Nation.
I was pleased to attend this year’s Indigenous Bar Association Conference in Edmonton, where I spoke about the fraudulent Métis Scrip System and the need for a process to address outstanding Métis claims. This unaddressed historical grievance dispossessed our people and communities in Alberta. Addressing this legacy remains a key focus for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government as we work towards a land claim agreement with Canada.
Our commitment to addressing the legacy of Métis scrip remains strong, and we are actively working toward a land claim agreement with Canada as part of our overarching self-government negotiations. We’re continuing to co-develop a claims negotiation roadmap with Canada that upholds our inherent right to self-determination and self-government through a modern-day treaty.
This past week, the Métis National Council met in Edmonton. The goal of that meeting was to chart a pathway for reform of the National body so that it can best serve the interests of the governing members. I want to emphasize that our top priority will always be our Métis Citizens in Alberta. After designing and ratifying a new governance system in our Constitution, Métis Citizens in Alberta elected the Citizens’ Council to represent them. As the Citizens’ Council, we expect our government’s status as a founding member of the MNC to be respected as we move forward with reform discussions. We continue to be ready and willing to work with our fellow governing members to shape the MNC into an organization that better serves the needs of the Métis governments it should advocate for.
Thank you for your continued trust and engagement. I remain dedicated to advancing the rights and improving the future for all Métis Citizens in Alberta.