Métis Nation of Alberta mounts court challenge to Manitoba Métis self-government deal
CBC
The Alberta branch of the Métis Nation has signed an updated self-government deal with Canada, even as it is in court challenging a similar agreement between the Manitoba Métis and Canada.
In a Federal Court judicial review filed in 2021, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) argued the Manitoba Métis Federation's (MMF) self-government deal stoked conflict and breached the honour of the Crown.
The Alberta association wanted the agreement set aside or at least "read down," it said in court files, alleging it empowered the Manitoba federation to potentially supplant other collective Métis associations by luring away their members.
MNA President Audrey Poitras, in a statement provided to CBC News on Friday, said productive talks held amid the court challenge sparked the updated deal, which addressed many of the MNA's concerns.
"Now that our updated self-government agreement with Canada has been signed, we will assess how we will proceed with our lawsuit," she said.
The 47,000-member MNA initially sought an injunction blocking the 44,000-strong MMF from trying to poach citizens on what the MNA claimed as its exclusive turf.
"The MMF has claimed that it now represents citizens of the Métis Nation within Alberta, and has supported the creation and development of a new Métis organization within Alberta known as the Alberta Métis Federation, to act as a satellite of the MMF and ultimately to displace the MNA," its filing said.
The allegations are untested in court.
The court filing named the MMF and the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations as respondents. The minister and MMF filed notices of appearance but no comprehensive responses.
The MMF declined to comment directly on the case. In a general statement provided to CBC News, President David Chartrand rejected the idea the MMF's jurisdiction stops at Manitoba's border.
"Red River Métis are coming home to our government in the thousands, because they know we stand strong in defence of our distinct identity, culture and nationhood," Chartrand said.
"We will not be stopped by anyone seeking to steal our identity."
The 2021 Manitoba Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement affirms the MMF as the democratic government of the Manitoba Métis, historically known as the Red River Métis.
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller's office did not respond to questions about the court challenge by publishing time.