Supreme Court ruling gives Metis a seat at the table with Ottawa, Laurentian professor says
A Metis poet who teaches about his culture at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ont. says he's excited about yesterday's Supreme Court ruling.
The unanimous decision found that Metis and non-status Indians have been in a "jurisdictional wasteland" as both the provinces and Ottawa denied responsibility.
On Thursday, the top court ruled that the federal government is constitutionally responsible for their rights.
Greg Scofield said the ruling allows Metis people a seat at the table to discuss programs, services and land claims.
"We have always been known as the people who own themselves," he said.
"We're coming from a place of having an existing culture, of having an existing language, having an existing art form, music, and dance."
The ruling affects some 600,000 people across the country — in urban and rural settings. The federal government is now responsible for addressing the rights of Metis and non-status Indians, when it comes to hunting, fishing, territory, education, housing and healthcare.
Scofield says it's good to be recognized.
"It's really important because it really solidifies the fact that we do have inherent rights — and these inherent rights really need to start to be addressed and they need to be looked at."
