OTTAWA -- The fate of a three-decade-long court battle over Métis land claims in Manitoba will be decided today by the Supreme Court of Canada.
The high court will announce this morning whether it will agree to hear the land claim case that has been wending its way through the courts since 1981.
Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand said he is confident the court will decide in the Métis' favour.
"We feel there is no doubt," said Chartrand.
The case dates back to land claims promised to Métis settlers in 1870 when Manitoba joined Confederation. The Manitoba Métis Federation has argued Manitoba and Canada failed to live up to the 1870 Manitoba Act requirements to divide nearly 566,560 hectares of land among 7,000 Métis children living in the province at the time. The MMF has long argued although land or money in lieu of land was eventually distributed to the children, the process took too long and wasn't done the way the act intended.
Among the complaints are that the Métis were not allowed to choose the land allotted them as it was instead meted out by a lottery. Certain lands were deemed too valuable to be included in the lottery.
It also took more than a decade to complete the land claim, and in the meantime settlers and speculators got hold of much of the land.
Courts in Manitoba ruled against the MMF claim, saying the legal requirements were followed.
The Manitoba Court of Appeal ruled against the Manitoba Métis Federation in July 2010. The MMF is seeking financial compensation.
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
The high court will announce this morning whether it will agree to hear the land claim case that has been wending its way through the courts since 1981.
Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand said he is confident the court will decide in the Métis' favour.
"We feel there is no doubt," said Chartrand.
The case dates back to land claims promised to Métis settlers in 1870 when Manitoba joined Confederation. The Manitoba Métis Federation has argued Manitoba and Canada failed to live up to the 1870 Manitoba Act requirements to divide nearly 566,560 hectares of land among 7,000 Métis children living in the province at the time. The MMF has long argued although land or money in lieu of land was eventually distributed to the children, the process took too long and wasn't done the way the act intended.
Among the complaints are that the Métis were not allowed to choose the land allotted them as it was instead meted out by a lottery. Certain lands were deemed too valuable to be included in the lottery.
It also took more than a decade to complete the land claim, and in the meantime settlers and speculators got hold of much of the land.
Courts in Manitoba ruled against the MMF claim, saying the legal requirements were followed.
The Manitoba Court of Appeal ruled against the Manitoba Métis Federation in July 2010. The MMF is seeking financial compensation.
mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
11 comments:
might be time for the rest of us metis who don't agree the Chartrand clan repersent us to find a lawyer and file a class action suit against the mmf and davey... what to think Derryl
Given the MMF's rich history of providing only for those who are in good with the administration, I feel that there should be some way that any settlement involve a luump sum pay out to its members. First nations have done the same with their members in regards to treaty settlements and even tho I dont trust the MMF with that kind of cash, someone will have to administer.
Derryl, you can never consider a lump sum payment. Who would get payment and how much? Best way to insure the legacy continues is to set it up as a fund for free univeristy to all Metis who maintain a reasonable mark thru all classes. Then investigate the possiblity of interest free mortgage loans to all Metis. The administration should be by a third party paid for by the Federal gov't. with ongoing audits. Something to think about because it serves more Metis people if the settlement is meant for all Metis in Manitoba.
Metis Observer.
I recently came across an educational presentation on the CCMC website, it explains a lot why our ancestors left Manitoba. As the MMF only operates within the provincial scheme of things what are they going to do with the rest of the descendent's that are eligible, as our Nation scattered to all corners of canada, after the rebellion.
u don't think board member got their cut anyway from other sources.
All the Manitoba Metis need to do is file a joint court case with the MMF that way it makes it a stronger case. And then we'll be first in line to receive the money.
ya, right the MNBC wont get off its duff to do anything for the people.
What about those Metis that live in North Dakota? They are the ancestors to this land and this claim as well... has DC talked with any of them to share the wealth? There is 30,000 Metis there also i bet not...
Does anyone know how many metis are now actually registered with the new system? and just because we choose not to go through the process of this "registration" process does not make us NOT Metis and does not mean that we are NOT entitled to any benefits that the MMF may recieve for land claims or any other means of funding - if our childen wish to apply for programs they should be able to and have the freedom of not registration of a Provincial registry and hold out for the National registry instead... which would make this registry more legit.
I am not re-applying for my MMF card at this point.
Just a thought - does any Metis person reading this know that the MNC - Metis National Council had an election for president in Dec 2010 and Clem Chartier was elected to his third 3 year term. As a Metis citizen I don't remember voting in this election (Sarcasm intended)
With that being said - from prior experience - Nothing will ever happen in our "Metis Universe" to change the status quo as long as the Metis people in this country don't care about who or what leads them. As long as they can receive money for nothing - who cares - it's this attitude that keeps us down. Yes there are a few out there trying to do some good, but either not enough money to get things done properly or no support.
I'm not sure that I want to just sit back and watch as those in leadership get richer off the misery of their own people - remember if you want the answers just follow the money. It's all about money in the end.
Unless there are 10's of thousands of Metis people out there who will say enough is enough and will try to do something about it - but that's just wishful thinking - isn't it?
oh forgot the link to the presidents story
http://www.mmf.mb.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=679%3Amnc-president-chartier-re-elected-to-third-term&catid=77%3A2010&Itemid=105
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