“I commend President David Chartrand on this momentous occasion while reminding the federal government it is falling short on existing Treaty promises with the First Peoples of Canada.”
– Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2024
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB —Today the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) congratulates President David Chartrand and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) on being the first Métis government to sign a modern-day Treaty with the federal government.
“There is no questioning the tireless effort President Chartrand has invested in making today’s announcement come to fruition,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “I want to offer my sincere congratulations to our Red River Métis relations, and I look forward to working with them on shared interests impacting all Indigenous people in Manitoba.”
While today’s news is a positive and impactful step for the MMF, SCO reminds our federal Treaty partners that they continue to fall short when it comes to existing Treaty obligations to the First Peoples of this land now called Canada. First Nations citizens have been waiting more than one-hundred years to receive the land we are owed by Canada. The federal government has let First Nations languish as we wait for our Treaty Land Entitlement to be finally fulfilled. First Nations also continue to face significant deficits in housing and infrastructure with little investment made in repairing, rebuilding, and funding First Nations homes and communities. There is an 11-year life expectancy gap between First Nations and all other peoples of Manitoba. It is also important that this new Treaty with the MMF does not impact all the rights First Nations have within our Treaties and that work does not stop from governments in fulfilling all their current promises to us.
“I don’t want to dampen the positivity of today’s announcement,” added Grand Chief Daniels. “However, I want to caution the MMF that after they negotiated The Manitoba Act with Canada in 1870, they never saw the benefits that were supposed to come from it, just as we have not seen the benefits for our Treaties. I hope they hold this federal government to task, and that this modern-day Treaty is honoured and respected.”
We welcome the Red River Métis government to join us in holding Canada accountable to its Treaty promises, old and new. SCO is hopeful this development will spur the federal government into action on a number of outstanding First Nation Treaty issues, including failing to increase the annual annuity payments since the late 1800s, and failing to honour harvesting and hunting rights, and Treaty Land Entitlement.
“There’s no question this is a good day for reconciliation in Canada,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “My sincere hope is that it serves as a catalyst for an improved relationship with all of our Treaty partners and that we all come together to provide the best outcomes for SCO member Nations and citizens.”
To learn more on the action the Southern Chiefs’ Organization is taking to further First Nations rights, click here to visit our website and read through our many programs and services.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 88,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions
through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca