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The federation is the first Métis group to sign a modern treaty with the federal government, and the ceremony came after its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the agreement last year during an assembly.

It recognizes the Red River Métis have an inherent right to self-government and law-making powers over their own citizenship, elections and other operations.

While the treaty doesn't lay out specific rights around health care, harvesting or land, Chartrand has said those aspects will likely be negotiated later with the federal government on a nation-to-nation basis.

It is subject to legislation passing in Parliament, and Chartrand has said the NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Greens have promised to support the Liberal government.

Métis leader Louis Riel negotiated a treaty with Canada some 150 years ago, which led to Manitoba joining Confederation, a development that was supposed to reserve 1.4 million acres of land for Métis residents in the province.

But Ottawa did not follow through with the promises of that agreement and Riel was eventually executed for high treason in 1885 for resisting Canada's encroachment on Métis lands.

Chartrand told the crowd gathered for Saturday's signing ceremony, which included federal ministers, MPs and Premier Wab Kinew, that the injustices against Métis aren't ancient history. When COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Canada, the federation's leader fought to get Métis prioritized with other Indigenous groups to receive them, arguing that they, too, faced higher health risks.

But he said that never happened because Métis didn't have constitutional protection, and he said the federal and provincial governments argued over who had jurisdiction over them.

"I still, to this day, will hold a grudge, and I'm one that doesn't, but I'll never forget what they did to us then. And that's now, not 1800," he said.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree called the day "long overdue" and said he hopes to advance the necessary legislation to enable the treaty in the coming days.

"I call upon all parliamentarians to support this initiative and ensure we have swift passage of this bill," he said Saturday.

Anandasangaree said once the treaty comes into effect, it will apply to the Manitoba Métis Federation's approximately 42,500 Red River Métis citizens.

Chartrand has said he has not heard whether the Conservatives will back it.

He noted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had intended to be at Saturday's signing ceremony, but was pulled away Friday to fly to Florida for a dinner meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.

"He's doing his part and we clearly accept his regrets, because he personally wanted to be here," Chartrand said.

— By Rob Drinkwater in Edmonton, with files from Alessia Passafiume in Ottawa

This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published Nov. 30, 2024.