A federal court ruled today that Métis and other non-status Indians should be recognized as special status groups by the government.
In it’s ruling the court said both groups are indeed “Indians” under the Canadian constitution.
The ruling also means some 600,000 Aboriginal people not affiliated with specific reserves now fall under federal jurisdiction.
What is not clear is what rights and benefits Métis and non-status Indians are now entitled to as a result of the ruling.
So far, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office is refusing to comment on the ruling.
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette says he applauds the federal court ruling and hopes the government does not appeal.
Doucette adds he is optimistic today’s ruling will jumpstart the Métis land claims process in the province.
The MNS President says he doesn’t expect the decision to affect efforts to gain harvesting rights from the province and encourages all Métis people not registered with the MNS to do so immediately.
Regina Indian Métis Christian fellowship director Bert Adema says although it is still too early to assess the full implications of today’s ruling, it appears to be good news on the surface giving the Métis community more credibility and clout.
Cheryl Storkson, the widow of former Saskatchewan Métis activist Harry Daniels, says her husband would have been elated by today’s federal court ruling.
She says Daniels fought for decades for Métis rights and recognition.
Harry Daniels died in 2004 at the age of 63 from cancer
(with files from the Canadian Press)