Bill aims to give MMF self-government treaty with Canada
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The Manitoba Métis Federation is one step closer to having a self-government treaty with the federal government.
Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty introduced Bill C-21 Thursday, the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty, which if passed would be the first self-government treaty with any Métis government in the country.
“This treaty has been 156 years in the making and represents the cherished vision of our ancestors and elders, who fought so hard to preserve our existence and keep the flame of our nationhood alive through the dark times,” MMF president David Chartrand said in a statement.
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Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand
“This legislation realizes their vision and shows that the fighting spirit of the Red River Métis — Canada’s negotiation partner in Confederation and the founders of Manitoba — can never be dismissed when we stand for what we believe in.”
Alty said the treaty “is a strong foundation for moving forward in true partnership with the Manitoba Métis Federation.”
“We will continue to work together to find shared solutions that promote reconciliation and greater prosperity for the benefit of Red River Métis today and for future generations.”
The self-government treaty builds on the federal government’s recognition agreement of the MMF as an Indigenous government in 2021.
Once passed, the treaty will replace that agreement and be protected by Canada’s constitution.
The treaty recognizes the MMF as the government of the Red River Métis and that they have the inherent right to govern themselves on “governance matters that are internal to the Manitoba Métis Federation and related laws that will apply to the Red River Métis.”
It defines how MMF leaders are chosen, who their citizens are, and how its government operates.
SEAN KILPATRICK/THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
A Metis Nation flag flies in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
The treaty does not cover land claim settlements and doesn’t directly affect harvesting rights within the Manitoba Métis homeland or outside. The MMF is continuing to negotiate both areas.
“Through this treaty, our ability to support the country we love, in these challenging times, has only been strengthened,” Chartrand said.
“We look forward to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with the federal government as we work together to keep Canada strong, united and free.”
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
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Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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Updated on Thursday, February 12, 2026 5:50 PM CST: Corrects typo