5. The Métis Act

The Métis Act was proclaimed into law on January 28, 2002, marking a significant step forward in the province’s formal recognition of the contributions of the Métis people.

The Métis Act recognizes and celebrates the historic, economic and cultural contributions Métis people have made to the development and prosperity of Saskatchewan and Canada.

The Act establishes the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc., thereby removing it from The Non-profit Corporations Act, 1995. The act also includes provisions that ensure accountability. Any Métis person of Saskatchewan has access to bylaws, minutes of meetings, resolutions, a list of the directors, all committees of the corporation; notices and the annual audited financial statements.

The Act commits the province and the Métis Nation to collaborate on practical non-rights based issues including: working toward developing a framework for devolution of provincial programs and service delivery; discussion of access to land and opportunities for economic development; harvesting opportunities (for example fishing, mushroom and berry picking); and enhanced governance and accountability for Métis communities and institutions. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to provide a framework for this collaborative work.

Following consultations with the Métis community in 1997, the government of Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan developed The Métis Act and its accompanying Memorandum of Understanding. The Act was tabled, debated and ultimately endorsed at the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan general assemblies in November 2000 and 2001.