Foreword

• Author: Clem Chartier
• Profession: President, Métis National Council
• Pages: 9-11

Foreword

e relationship between the Métis Nation and the Crown has been both

troubling and remarkable.

It has been troubling because even though Aboriginal rights are rec-

ognized and armed by the C onstitution of Canada, Métis harvesters

are systematically pursued and prosecuted by the Crown when trying

to harvest food to feed their fa milies. It has also been troubling because

Métis are t he only Aboriginal people t hat Canada has refused to accept

legislative jurisdiction for, arg uing that the Crown–Métis relationship

should be with the provinces — the same governments that are prosecut-

ing Métis for exercising traditiona l harvesting rights. e resolution of

these is sues relating to access to lands and resources, and the question

of jurisdiction, is central to est ablishing an honourable a nd enduring

Crown–Métis relationship. Sadly, these are the very issues we sought to

resolve more than  years ago and that resulted in the Métis wars and

the hanging of Louis R iel.

But the relationship between the Métis and the Crown is also remark-

able. We have endured and thrived in this country. While there is still

much poverty, many of our people are lawyers, doctors, engineers, and

entrepreneurs. And this entrepreneurial spir it helped create the fur in-

dustry and was a key factor in establishing sett lements in Western Can-

ada. Even more remarkable, Métis remain proud C anadians who truly

believe in the honour of the Crown.

ix