First Nations raise concerns as Métis self-government treaty advances in Parliament - BERITAJA

A projected pact that would assistance the Red River Métis greater self-governance is moving done Parliament, but First Nations leaders are urging Ottawa to halt the legislation, informing it could infringe connected existing pact rights.

The Manitoba Métis Federation said the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty reached 2nd reference successful the House of Commons this week, marking a important measurement forward.

However, the Assembly of First Nations is opposing the bill, saying First Nations were not adequately consulted and that nary caller treaties should beryllium established connected their accepted territories.

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the projected authorities lacks clarity about territorial scope.

“The undefined territorial scope of the Red River Métis wrong the measure would group the shape for expansive Métis jurisdiction complete areas that conflict pinch the existing authorities and jurisdiction of First Nations,” she said.

Much of Canada is already covered by historical treaties, and immoderate First Nations leaders pass that introducing a caller statement could create overlaps and lead to prolonged ineligible disputes.

The Manitoba Métis Federation has said the pact is not about onshore aliases resources, but alternatively about recognizing Métis self-government and addressing longstanding humanities grievances.

The Federation considers the Manitoba Act, 1870 to beryllium its original negotiated statement pinch Canada, though Métis were not formally recognized arsenic a chopped federation astatine the time.

While Métis leaders opportunity the caller statement has been decades successful the making, First Nations leaders support it must not supersede their pact authorities aliases inherent sovereignty, and pass they are prepared to situation it successful court.