MMF marks 10 years since Land Claim victory and historic words: “Our time has come!”

“We’ve been vindicated. Our history has been vindicated. Riel has been vindicated. This country’s history has been put on trial, and justice has prevailed. It is a victory. It is our time!”

– David Chartrand, 2013 Land Claim victory

Winnipeg, MB, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, celebrates the ten-year anniversary of our Land Claim victory.

“This was such a landmark case in the history of our Nation,” said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. “It forever changed the face of our relationship with Canada, and demonstrated that our long journey toward justice was worth every sacrifice and effort.”

The MMF land claim case began in 1981, with the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench. What followed was a 32-year journey toward victory, finally achieved on March 8 of 2013. In the decision, the injustice described by Louis Riel in his memoirs was finally recognized:

“The Government had not properly fulfilled its obligations in the treaty with the Manitoba Métis. The Government neither protected them nor gave them justice.”

– Louis Riel, Memoirs

The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) MMF v Canada Decision recognized that “the unfinished business of reconciliation of the Métis people with Canadian sovereignty is a matter of national and constitutional import.” It further recognized that the mistreatment of the Métis and the theft of 1.4 million acres promised to the Nation’s children engaged the honour of the Crown.

“Our victory could not have happened without the efforts and sacrifices of all our historic leaders,” said President Chartrand. “Bringing the case to the highest court in the land was something I committed to when I was elected President in 1997. It was a proud day when I was able to deliver on my commitment. Since this case, we have continued to make great strides in advancing our Nation. There’s no doubt that many of our recent advancements could not have happened without the Land Claim victory.”

“The National Government of the Red River Métis is the servant of the Citizens,” said President Chartrand. “Our Citizens have always told us that settling our land claim is critical to righting the wrongs done to our people when Manitoba joined Canada’s confederation. We have high expectations that we will complete negotiations for the land settlement during this sitting of Parliament, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first committed to in 2015. Together, we are finally realizing the hopes and aspirations of our Citizens and forever changing the history of our people.”

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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis, the origin and core of the historic Métis Nation. The Red River Métis are Canada’s Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.

For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

NT5