Manitoba Métis Policy



Manitoba Métis Policy
From the Past Into the Future

Creating the Manitoba Métis Policy is based on the findings of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (AJI) and the recommendation of the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC) that, "The Government of Manitoba develop and adopt, with the full participation of the Manitoba Métis Federation, a comprehensive Métis Policy on matters within its jurisdiction."

The AJIC gave three reasons for its recommendation:

  1. Métis were leaders in the creation of Manitoba and it is important to reflect both the historical role and the cultural distinctness of the Métis as one of Manitoba’s Aboriginal peoples.
  2. There is an enduring gap in the quality of life between Manitoba’s Métis and non Aboriginal peoples that will only be closed through better and more-focused programs.
  3. Departments within the Government of Manitoba have worked with the Manitoba Métis Federation and Métis people to develop and deliver programs over the years, but there has not been any overall plan. Current and future programs could be more effective if they were better co-ordinated.

In 2002, the Government of Manitoba accepted all of the AJIC recommendations. By 2003, both the scope and complexity of Métis issues and relationships between the Government of Manitoba and the Manitoba Métis Federation increased significantly. Coming to a mutual understanding of what the Métis Policy should deal with and efforts to define a process of working together were challenged by this extraordinary growth. In 2008, the Government of Manitoba and the Manitoba Métis Federation formally agreed to work together to prepare the Métis Policy.

Both agreed that the goals of the policy would be to strengthen the capacity of the Métis people in Manitoba to address current and emerging economic and social issues, and achieve greater self-reliance and socio-economic well-being. To do this, the Government of Manitoba and the Manitoba Métis Federation worked together on the basis of trust and respect, built upon existing partnership relationships and focused efforts on their mutual interests.

The Métis Policy was prepared in a highly participatory fashion. Métis people, organizations serving Métis people, cultural institutions, academics and government officials were all asked for their opinions on it. Their feedback shaped the Métis Policy.

The policy builds on the cultural distinctness of the Métis as a defining feature of Manitoba’s social fabric and the knowledge that enhancing Métis goals and prosperity strengthens Manitoba’s social and economic vibrancy.

The Métis Policy is made up of a series of principles and a framework:

  • The Métis Policy principles guide the Government of Manitoba in the way it approaches Métis issues. The principles deal with recognition, partnership, a comprehensive approach, capacity and accountability.
  • The Métis Policy framework provides the strategic approach for the Government of Manitoba in its relationships with Métis people and the Manitoba Métis Federation. The framework is made up of four elements: enhancing Métis people’s participation, developing better understanding, following a distinctions-based approach and improving relationships.

The Métis Policy Principles and Framework are not based on any evaluation or assessment of Aboriginal rights. They are not intended to define any Aboriginal rights of the Métis in Manitoba and do not affect any Aboriginal rights of Métis people in Manitoba.

Through the Métis Policy, we can ensure that we understand and recognize the Métis for their contributions to Manitoba and to Canada, and create the tools for Métis people to participate fully and benefit equally from what society has to offer.



The Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia
Better Understanding Métis Contributions

The Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia formed during the turbulent Red River Resistance and functioned from March 9 to June 24, 1870. The research reveals that its debates show how people of the settlement responded to political change and that, while their opinions may have been divided, compromise was notably present. It is clear that people from the Red River predominated in the formation and operation of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia and three-quarters of its members were Métis. Among Métis and non-Métis members of the community there was sophisticated familiarity with forms of governance that go well beyond a reliance on traditional ways of organizing for buffalo hunts. The assembly was made up of 28 elected representatives, a president, Louis Riel, an executive council (government cabinet), adjutant general (chief of military staff), chief justice and clerk. The Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia represents a transition from martial law to legitimate, representative democracy in a period of months with balance between French and English representation carefully maintained.

The assembly worked on a constitution. It debated such matters as instigating public works, revising the judicial districts and setting up a senate. The legislature appointed a judiciary and set up court schedules. In the midst of determining what needed to be done with respect to roads and bridges, the members learned that their delegates had arrived in Ottawa to negotiate the terms of Confederation with Canada. Members received the list of rights that the president and an acting executive had instructed the delegates negotiating Manitoba’s entrance into confederation to secure. The list included the provision that Assiniboia enter confederation as a province, and reflected the assembly’s practice by safeguarding French and English language rights equally. There was no debate on or objection to either point.

On the 24 June, 1870, Rev. N.-J. Ritchot, (one of three negotiators appointed to represent the interests of Red River settlers in negotiations with Canada), gave a full account of the negotiations to the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia. After questioning Ritchot on the implications of the various clauses and receiving reassurance that contrary to newspaper reports the people of Canada were sympathetic to the provisional government, the assembly was satisfied that the rights they valued had been recognized.

Assembly member and vice-president, Louis Schmidt moved,

"... that the Legislative Assembly of this country do now, in the name of the people, accept the Manitoba Act, and decide on entering the Dominion of Canada, on the terms proposed in the Confederation Act."

While the members of the legislative assembly cheered, Pierre Poitras seconded the motion. The Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia ratified the Manitoba Act and the final session was adjourned.

Both Ritchot and Riel, however, felt compelled to make closing statements that underlined the significance of the Assembly’s achievement. For his part, Ritchot observed:

"... while in Canada, let me say, in closing, not only had we all the sympathy and attention we could have expected, but admiration was expressed for the stand taken by the people, who had, it was held, shown themselves to be reflective, prudent people — wise to plan — resolute to act — so that, although jeopardised through dangers of the greatest magnitude, they passed almost unscathed through the crisis."

Riel concluded:

"I congratulate the people of the North-West on the happy issue of their undertakings (cheers). I congratulate them on their moderation and firmness of purpose; and I congratulate them on having trust enough in the Crown of England to believe that ultimately they would obtain their rights (cheers). I must, too, congratulate the country on passing from under this Provisional rule to one of a more permanent and satisfactory character."

While it was this legislature that formally ratified the Manitoba Act on behalf of the Red River settlers in 1870, there was no explanation of its significance in the historical record. Working with the Archives of Manitoba, academic historians from the University of Manitoba, University of Alberta, St. Boniface Museum, Government of Manitoba and Manitoba Métis Federation, Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs hired a professional historian to identify its members and prepare both a transcript of its debates and an essay outlining its significance. The Government of Canada offset half the costs of the project.

The Sessional Journal of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia can be found in the Archives of Manitoba and an electronic transcript of its debates and the debates of the Convention of Forty can be found in the Manitoba Legislative Library.