Federal government to sign first-ever modern treaty with Mtis

The federal government will sign its first-ever modern treaty with a Mtis government on Saturday, CBC News has learned.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree will be in Winnipeg to finalize the agreement, which formally recognizes the Manitoba Mtis Federation (MMF) as the government of the Red River Mtis.

"This is a turning point for our country," said MMF president David Chartrand. "We can't change historybut we can change the future."

The Red River Mtisactually negotiated a treaty with Canada back in 1870 the Manitoba Act which led to Manitoba joining Confederation. It was supposed to provideMtiswith land and economic opportunities, but the federal government didn't follow through on those commitments.

At the time, the federal government didn't want to recognize the existence of a provisional government under Mtis leader Louis Riel. Ottawasaw Riel as a traitor.

Riel, who led the Red River Resistance, was executed by hanging at the Northwest Mounted Police barracks in Regina in 1885. The government ofManitoba named him the province'shonoraryfirst premierthis past February.

On Saturday, Mtis citizens will enterinto the type of agreement with the Crown that they had sought 154 years ago.

Chartrand said the treaty is about restoring the rightful place of Mtis in Confederation. He's calling on all political parties to support and respect the new treaty.

"Our people take this to heart so much," hesaid. "It's a win-win for all of Canada to understand the true importance of the Red River Mtis."

MMF president, minister hope all governments respect treaty

The treaty commits Canada to workingwith the ManitobaMtisFederation on a government-to-government basisno matter which party holds power in Ottawa.

"This is a historical day a monumental day for reconciliation," Anandasangaree said.

The MMF began discussions with Ottawa onthe agreement in 2021. An estimated 4,000 MMF delegates unanimously approved the treaty in a June 2023 vote.

"Any government that wants to undo the work that we have done I think will pay a very steep price,"Anandasangaree said.

The agreement doesn't come with a list of benefits for the Red River Mtis.Anandasangaree said it opens the door to future agreements with the federal government on fishing and harvesting rights, education, child welfare, land claims and health coverage.

The Mtis are the only distinct Indigenous people excluded from the federal health benefitsprovided to Inuit and First Nations. Chartrand said he wants to see that change soon.

WATCH |Federal government to sign first-ever modern treaty with Mtis:

Federal government to sign first-ever modern treaty with Mtis

21 hours ago

Duration 2:07

CBC News has learned the federal government will sign its first-ever modern treaty with a Mtis government on Saturday, to formally recognize the Manitoba Mtis Federation as the government of the Red River Mtis.