Background on the Métis Nation and its Governance Structures

The Métis Nation
The Métis Nation, as a people, evolved out of the initial relations of Indian women and European men on the lands of west central North America. While the initial offspring of these relations were individuals who possessed mixed Indian and European ancestry, the gradual establishment of distinct Métis communities outside of Indian and European traditions, cultures and settlements, as well as, the subsequent intermarriages between Métis women and Métis men resulted in the genesis of a new Aboriginal people - the Métis people - with their own unique culture, traditions, language (Michif), way of life, collective consciousness and nationhood.

Distinct Métis communities arose along the routes of the fur trade and across the Northwest within the Métis Nation Homeland. This Homeland includes the three Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta), as well as, parts of Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the Northern United States.

Today, many of these historic Métis communities continue to exist along watersheds, rivers and lakes and where once active forts and posts were hubs of fur trade activities from Ontario westward. As well, significant numbers of Métis citizens now live in urban centres within the Métis Nation Homeland; however, even within these larger populations, well-defined Métis communities exist.

Consistently throughout history, the Métis people have acted collectively to protect and fight for their rights, lands and on-going existence, as an Aboriginal people, within the Canadian federation. This dedication continues to exist as citizens and communities throughout the Métis Nation Homeland continue to keep the nation's distinct culture, traditions, language and lifestyle alive.

Governance Structures & Institutions
Throughout its evolving existence, the Métis Nation has maintained its inherent right of self-government and has matured governance structures and institutions that support the full implementation of this right. These governance structures and institutions have served the Métis Nation well by providing an effective means of representation at a community, regional, provincial, national and international level. As well, these infrastructures provide significant support for the Métis Nation's cultural and socio-economic needs.

The ultimate aspiration of these governance structures and institutions is to realize the implementation of the Métis Nation's inherent right to self-government within the Canadian federation. Unfortunately, due to current positions and policies (or a lack thereof) of the federal and provincial governments, the Métis Nation does not have a substantive, rights-based negotiations process to begin addressing Métis self-government.

Irrespective of the positions of governments in Canada, the Métis Nation's governance structures and institutions continue to evolve to meet the aspirations, needs and challenges of the Métis people.

The Métis National Council
In March of 1983, the MNC was established to represent the Métis Nation within Canada. The MNC is formed by its five Governing Members coming together to collectively mandate a national body to represent the Métis people at a national and international level.

The MNC does not currently have a Constitution; however, a Secretariat has been incorporated, under federal law which has corporate bylaws. Some people may think that these bylaws are the MNC's Constitution. They are not. They simply provide for the legal operation of the MNC's Secretariat.

As witnessed over the years, the MNC's current corporate framework is not conducive to nation building. Foreign corporate structures were never meant to serve as the groundwork for national Métis self-government. In order to enhance it national governance structure, the Métis Nation requires a foundation that reflects its unique history, needs and aspirations. This is the rationale for moving towards a Métis Nation Constitution.

Some of the MNC's Governing Members have already undertaken this type of self-government initiative. For example, in 1993, the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan (MNS) declared self-government through enacting its own Constitution. From that time forth, the MNS no longer operated under the corporate bylaws of the MNS Secretariat; but, under its ultimate Métis law. Other Governing Members are at various stages of their own constitutional reform processes. It is envisioned that this initiative by the MNC will compliment and assist the work alrebeing undertaken by the Governing Members.

The MNC must evolve in order for the Métis Nation to move forward on implementing self-government at a national level. This will require fundamental change to how the MNC is currently structured and operates. The fear of change has hindered moving forward on a Métis Nation Constitution in the past. However, in light of recent self-government gains being achieved throughout the Métis Nation (i.e. litigation, discussions with governments), it is hoped that our nation is now ready to move forward on enhancing our national governance structure.