A Metis land claim for roughly 122,000 square km was filed at Saskatoon's Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday, October 16, 2019. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

By CKOM News

Sask. Métis progress towards self-governance in Saskatoon

Feb 29, 2020 | 5:13 PM

Since signing a historic agreement with the federal government last summer that recognized their rights, Métis Nations Saskatchewan (MN-S) have been moving toward self-governance.

A two-day conference in Saskatoon engaged citizens and local leaders on their vision for an independent nation focusing on land claims, citizenship and constitutional reform.

“We will hear you,” said MN-S President Glen McCallum, addressing delegates at the opening of the conference Friday morning.

“The findings from those engagements will define how we develop the policies within each ministry. Not one individual can carry a file without the engagement of you.”

McCallum said they have entered the next phase of negotiations with Ottawa and challenged youth to be part of the process to help create a strong and single voice for Métis at the negotiating table.

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McCallum noted the MN-S is still have work to do to be viewed as legitimate in the eyes of government and capable of self-governance.

“Some of our own people still don’t believe. That’s OK. We will prove to people by the good council that you’ve elected to be able to move our files forward.”

McCallum pointed to the Métis registry, which has grown from a few thousand to over 10,000 as proof the nation is getting stronger.

The two-day conference wraps up Saturday at the Saskatoon Inn.