The Manitoba Métis Federation and the Metis Settlements General Council of Alberta have signed a memorandum of understanding to increase cooperation [1, 2].
This agreement marks a significant step toward unifying Métis governance and rights across provincial borders. By aligning their efforts, the two organizations seek to create a stronger, coordinated front when dealing with federal and provincial governments.
The signing ceremony took place in Manitoba [1, 2]. The memorandum establishes a formal framework for the two bodies to work together on shared priorities, laying the necessary groundwork for a more permanent legal arrangement.
According to the agreement, the ultimate goal of this partnership is the creation of a treaty between the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Metis Settlements General Council [1, 2]. Such a treaty would formally recognize Métis rights and governance structures that span the regions of Manitoba and Alberta.
The collaboration focuses on strengthening the relationship between the two organizations to ensure that Métis interests are protected and promoted [1, 2]. This cross-border approach addresses the historical and geographical realities of the Métis people, whose ancestral lands and community ties often extend beyond current provincial boundaries.
While the memorandum of understanding is not a treaty itself, it serves as the primary vehicle for the negotiations required to reach that stage [1, 2]. The organizations will now move forward with joint initiatives designed to foster mutual support and strategic alignment.
“The two organizations seek to create a stronger, coordinated front”
This agreement represents a strategic move toward indigenous self-determination that transcends colonial provincial borders. By pursuing a treaty between two distinct Métis governing bodies, the organizations are attempting to create a sovereign-to-sovereign relationship that could provide a blueprint for other indigenous groups seeking to coordinate governance across different jurisdictions in Canada.
