Kamloops Metis celebrate historic ruling
KAMLOOPS — “It’s been so many years that we’ve waited to get some recognition,” said Dave Barron, Metis Elder.
For Barron, that recognition came yesterday, as the country’s highest court ruled unanimously that all Metis, as well as non-status aboriginal people are officially First Nations, which puts them under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. After years of being shuffled back and forth, between Federal and Provincial governments, this ruling puts that question to rest.
Patrick Savard, of Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services, says his people will get peace of mind from the ruling. “Now we know where to negotiate. It’s stopped this little end game of back and forth,” Savard told CFJC Today. “Now we are legally the responsibility of the Federal government.”