Métis Nation—Saskatchewan facts for kids

The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan (also MN-S or MNS) is an official government that represents Métis people in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. It works closely with the Métis National Council, which is a national group. Glen McCallum became the president in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021.

This government is led by a group of elected people called the Provincial Métis Council. Saskatchewan is divided into 12 areas, and people in each area vote for their representative to join this council. Inside these 12 areas, there are smaller groups called Métis locals. Each local has its own elected president. All these groups, along with representatives from youth and women's departments, meet twice a year at the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly. They talk about important issues for Métis people in the province. The Métis Nation Legislative Assembly is the main governing body of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. The president of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan also has a seat on the Board of Governors of the Métis National Council.

The government was first called the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. Its name was changed to Métis Nation—Saskatchewan on November 18, 2000, at the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly.

History of Métis Governance in Saskatchewan

Early Métis Governments and Laws

The first Métis governments in what is now Saskatchewan started before the Red River Resistance in 1870. They grew quickly after that event. Communities like Duck Lake, St. Laurent, and Batoche grew along the South Saskatchewan River. Each community had many families living there.

On December 10, 1872, these communities gathered at St. Laurent to form the Council of St. Laurent. Gabriel Dumont was their president. This council managed the communities, made decisions, and even had a military. They created a set of laws called the Laws of St. Laurent, based on the Laws of the Buffalo Hunt. This council set an example for all future Métis political activities in Saskatchewan.

The Métis Provisional Government

The Métis people in the Southbranch Settlement were worried about new settlers arriving. They also wanted to secure ownership of their lands. They asked the Government of Canada for land titles, but they became frustrated when the government did not respond. So, the Council of St. Laurent asked Louis Riel to return from Montana to lead them again.

Riel then set up the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan in Batoche on March 19, 1885. This led to the North-West Resistance. The Canadian government sent soldiers, and the Métis government was defeated at the Battle of Batoche.

New Political Movements Begin

After the North-West Resistance, many Métis people were displaced and lost their communities. They tried to find new ways to live, like farming. However, the Dust Bowl and Great Depression in the 1930s made many Métis very poor. Around this time, Métis community councils started to form. They organized themselves like worker unions and called their groups "locals." This led to Métis people becoming more politically aware and active. They began demanding that their rights be recognized.

Recognizing the need for a formal way to make their voices heard, Métis in Saskatchewan began to organize. The first Métis provincial political group after Saskatchewan became a province was formed in 1935 by Joe Ross. It was called Half-breeds of Saskatchewan. This group aimed to help Métis people with problems caused by the Great Depression. They wrote their first constitution in 1937 and changed their name to the Saskatchewan Métis Society.

In 1943, the Saskatchewan Métis Association was created to represent Métis people in northern Saskatchewan. This group often worked alongside, and sometimes competed with, the Saskatchewan Métis Society in the south. Despite strong growth, these early Métis political groups broke apart during the Second World War due to internal disagreements and the war itself.

The Métis political movement started again in the 1960s. In 1964, the Métis Association of Saskatchewan was formed for northern Métis. In 1965, the Métis Society of Saskatchewan was formed for southern Métis. Realizing it was better to work together, these two groups joined in 1967 under the name Métis Society of Saskatchewan.

The organization changed its name several times:

• In 1975, it became the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS) under Jim Sinclair. It included Non-status Indians.
• In 1988, after a vote, it became the Métis Society of Saskatchewan again, focusing only on Métis people.
• In 1993, it declared itself a Métis government and became the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan.
• Finally, in 2000, it became the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan.

How the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Works Today

Modern Political Structures

In 1993, the Métis of Saskatchewan met to create the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. They adopted a constitution and declared it a self-governing body for Métis people in Saskatchewan. The first meeting of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly was held in 1994.

Working Towards Self-Government

The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan was created to be the government for Métis people in Saskatchewan. They wanted to be recognized as a distinct group with their own rights and the ability to govern themselves. They aim to be a third level of government in Canada, alongside federal and provincial governments.

For a long time, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan operated under laws for non-profit organizations. While they pushed to shape their own governance, these laws limited how much they could truly be self-governing and independent from the governments of Saskatchewan and Canada.

Métis people in Canada have been fighting for their Indigenous rights and the right to practice them. For a while, neither the Saskatchewan nor the Canadian government wanted to negotiate with the Métis. However, after a court decision called Daniels v Canada, the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation signed an agreement on April 13, 2017. This agreement, called the Canada–Métis Nation Accord, aimed to improve the relationship between The Crown and the Métis Nation. It also sought to address past wrongs and recognize Métis rights.

On July 20, 2018, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and Canada signed the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation. This set up how they would negotiate their shared goals. As talks continued, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, along with Métis Nation of Ontario and Métis Nation of Alberta, signed the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement with Canada on June 27, 2019.

The Métis Act

In 2002, the Government of Saskatchewan passed The Métis Act. The Constitution of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan says that the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan is a self-governing group. It also explains the difference between being a Métis government and being a non-profit group that offers programs. The Métis Act was the first law in Canada to recognize the political goals of the Métis. It created a process where the elected leaders of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan can negotiate as equals with the Government of Saskatchewan on issues important to Métis people. This was a big step in recognizing the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan as a governing body, even if it didn't fully call it a "government."

How the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan is Organized

The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan uses traditional Métis ways of governing. This includes involving everyone and having community councils.

Locals: Community Level Groups

Locals are the most basic parts of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. They work at the community level. Each local has elected leaders, like an executive or a board of directors. These leaders manage the local group according to the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Constitution. Locals can also become officially registered with the government.

Locals are responsible for preparing their communities for self-government. They can also seek money and resources for their programs and goals. To be an active local, a group must have at least nine members. They must also hold leadership elections every one to three years. A Métis citizen can only belong to one local at a time. They must usually live in the local's area for at least six months before joining. (There can be exceptions for school, medical reasons, or if there isn't a local in their community.) Locals were first based on labor unions. They were created as groups to help their members stand up for their rights.

Urban Councils: City-Wide Groups

The Constitution of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan allows for urban councils. In large cities in Saskatchewan, there are often several locals. These locals might be divided by location or by what they focus on. The locals in a city can choose to create an urban council to help them move towards self-government.

Regions: Larger Areas

Map of the 12 regions of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan

The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan has divided Saskatchewan into 12 regions:

• Northern Region I
• Northern Region II
• Northern Region III
• Eastern Region I
• Eastern Region II
• Eastern Region IIa
• Eastern Region III
• Western Region I
• Western Region Ia
• Western Region II
• Western Region IIa
• Western Region III

Each region has a regional council. This council includes the presidents of the locals in that region and an area director. The area director leads the regional council and is the elected representative for that region on the Provincial Métis Council. Regional councils can appoint people to positions at the regional and provincial levels. They also support locals in becoming self-governing. This includes helping them get money and resources for programs. Regional councils guide their area director on the goals and hopes for the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan in their region.

Executive: The Top Leaders

There are four executive members of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer

These leaders are elected by people across the whole province for four-year terms. The president is the main spokesperson for the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. They assign different responsibilities (portfolios) to other members, with approval from the Provincial Métis Council and the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly.

Provincial Métis Council: Managing Operations

The Provincial Métis Council makes sure the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan runs smoothly. Its members also act as directors for the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc.

The Provincial Métis Council usually has 18 members:

• Four executive members
• 12 elected regional representatives (one from each of the 12 regions)
• One representative from the Métis Women of Saskatchewan (Les Filles de Madeleine)
• One representative from the Provincial Métis Youth Council

The executive members serve four-year terms. The Provincial Métis Council acts like the cabinet of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan government. They are given specific areas of responsibility (portfolios) by the President. Each council member makes sure that the groups, departments, and programs in their portfolio have the money and resources they need. They also lead the groups that are part of their portfolio. Regional representatives also serve four-year terms.

Métis Nation Legislative Assembly: The Main Governing Body

The Métis Nation Legislative Assembly is the main governing authority of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. It includes:

• The Provincial Métis Council (including the executive members)
• Four representatives from the Métis Women of Saskatchewan (Les Filles de Madeleine)
• Four representatives from the Provincial Métis Youth Council
• All presidents of locals across the province (or their vice president if the president cannot attend)

At least 75 members must be present for the Assembly to make decisions. The Métis Nation Legislative Assembly is supposed to meet at least twice a year. However, this has not always happened, often because there aren't enough resources to hold the meetings. The Assembly has the power to create laws, rules, and decisions needed to govern the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. This includes approving the budget and guiding the actions of Métis citizens.

To manage the meetings, the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly chooses a speaker and a deputy speaker. They are in charge of the meeting procedures, rules, and discussions. They also make sure everyone behaves properly. They can even have Dumont's Scouts remove members or attendees who don't follow the rules or disrupt the meeting. The speaker and deputy speaker also lead the Annual General Assembly. They serve for a two-year term and can be reappointed.

Dumont's Scouts are appointed by the Provincial Métis Council and approved by the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly. They help keep order during the Assembly meetings. Dumont's Scouts are usually Métis veterans.

Members of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly can be given portfolios (areas of responsibility). This used to be only for Provincial Métis Council members, but it was expanded to include other Assembly members to allow more people to take on these roles.

Les Filles de Madeleine: Voice for Métis Women

Les Filles de Madeleine is the organization in Saskatchewan that speaks for Métis Nation women. Its board of directors has one director elected from each of the 12 regions of the province.

The goals of Les Filles de Madeleine are:

• To help create programs and services that address issues and rights of Métis women. These programs aim to improve conditions unique to their lives.
• To make sure there is always a strong working relationship between the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, its political groups, their leaders, and citizens, as well as Les Filles de Madeleine. This supports the needs of Métis women in Saskatchewan at both local and national levels.

Their specific objectives include:

• Talking with local groups to find out the issues and needs of Métis women and their families.
• Developing support services and finding money to provide them.
• Delivering programs and services that are sensitive to Métis culture and meet the needs of Métis women and families.
• Working with government and non-government organizations to access programs and services for Métis women and families.
• Sharing information with the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan about the needs of Métis women that the Nation needs to address.
• Supporting the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, Provincial Government, and Federal Government in getting resources, developing programs, and delivering services for Métis women.
• Supporting the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan in working for the rights of Métis people as Indigenous people, including the right to self-government.
• Supporting the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan in getting these rights recognized in the Canadian Constitution or Saskatchewan laws.

Provincial Métis Youth Council: Youth Voice

The Provincial Métis Youth Council makes sure that the voices of young people are always heard within the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan government. Including youth in the government helps ensure that their issues are not forgotten. It also provides chances to mentor and support future Métis Nation leaders. This brings different parts of the Métis population together to work as one.

Senate: Wisdom and Guidance

The Senate of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan mostly has a ceremonial role. They offer opening and closing prayers at the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly. They also give advice and recommendations to the Assembly.

The Senate works as a team to represent and protect the best interests of the Métis people and the Constitution. They make decisions by everyone agreeing. Senators are expected to dedicate time and thought to their work. The Senate was created to honor the important role of elders in traditional Métis communities.

When the Senate was first created, it had more power over the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. It acted as the judicial branch, settling disputes between regions and locals. It also formed the Métis Elections Commission to oversee elections. However, the Senate's authority was reduced in 2008.

General Assembly: Citizen Forum

The General Assembly is a political meeting for Métis citizens in Saskatchewan. It meets once a year. Here, Métis citizens receive information from their government. They can review documents and give guidance to the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly. They also discuss, change, and vote on updates to the Constitution of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan.

Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc.: Administration

The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. is the administrative body for the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. It carries out the policies and programs directed by the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. This is because the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan is recognized as the government elected by Métis citizens to advance their Aboriginal rights, including self-government. However, it has to operate through non-profit structures until it is formally recognized as a third level of government. The Government of Saskatchewan passed The Métis Act in 2002 to help strengthen Métis governance through partnerships. The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. was created under this Act.

Métis National Council: National Representation

The Métis National Council (MNC) is a national organization that speaks for the five governing Métis Nation members in Canada. It is a partnership between Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Métis Nation British Columbia. The presidents of these five groups form the Board of Governors. The Métis National Council General Assembly has 15 elected delegates from the three founding members (Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Alberta). It also has five elected delegates from the non-founding members (Métis Nation of Ontario and Métis Nation British Columbia). The delegates for the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan are the Provincial Métis Council. Any remaining seats can be filled by members chosen from the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly.

Affiliates: Supporting Services

The Métis Nation—Saskatchewan has created several organizations, called affiliates, to support the needs of Métis citizens in Saskatchewan. These include:

• Back to Batoche
• Clarence Campeau Development Fund
• Gabriel Dumont Institute
• Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan (MACSI)
• Provincial Métis Housing Corporation (PMHC)
• SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO)

The Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, on behalf of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, has all the voting rights and powers of ownership over these affiliates. This is done according to the recommendations from the Provincial Métis Council. The member of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly who is responsible for an affiliate's portfolio also leads that affiliate. However, under non-profit laws, these affiliates are separate from the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan.

Becoming a Citizen of the Métis Nation

In 2000, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan officially adopted the National Definition of Métis:

1. Definition (updated January 2004)
   1. Métis means a person who identifies as Métis. They are different from other Aboriginal peoples, have historic Métis Nation Ancestry, and are accepted by the Métis Nation.
   2. "Historic Métis Nation" means the Aboriginal people known as Métis or Half-breeds who lived in the Historic Métis Nation Homeland.
   3. "Historic Métis Nation Homeland" means the area of west-central North America that was traditionally used and lived in by the Métis or Half-breeds.
   4. "Métis Nation" means the Aboriginal people who are descendants of the Historic Métis Nation. This now includes all Métis Nation citizens and is one of the "aboriginal" peoples of Canada as defined in section 35 of the Constitution Act 1982.
   5. "Distinct from other Aboriginal peoples" means unique in terms of culture and nationhood.

To make sure the process for reviewing citizenship followed this definition, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan approved the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Citizenship Act. This Act explains how the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Registry is set up, how the Registrar is appointed, how people register for citizenship, and other important details about the Registry's operations.

See also

• Politics of Saskatchewan