The Metis Nation is one giant step closer to realizing the vision Louis Riel had for his people following the historic First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal issues in Kelowna on November 24 and 25, 2005.

The commitments made by national Aboriginal leaders, the provincial premiers, and the Prime Minister of Canada in areas such as education, housing, health, economic opportunities, and relationships are expected to provide the Metis Nation with the means to see marked improvements in living standards for Metis across the homeland over the next five to ten years.

Nineteen delegates around the table took part in a discussion led by Prime Minister Paul Martin, who fielded remarks from premiers and aboriginal leaders on each of the five topic areas. Martin described the agreements reached as an ‘unprecedented step forward’ for federal and provincial relations with Canada’s Aboriginal people. “Our plan is to build on a foundation of respect, accountability, and shared responsibility,” Martin said in his opening address. “With this plan, we have made an important step forward in honouring our commitment to close the gap in the quality of life that now exists between Aboriginal people and other Canadians.”

The commitments Martin refers are those made during the Canada Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable in April 2004. That led to months of consultation and negotiation with Aboriginal people toward agreements intended to close the gap in the five areas. Most of the text of the agreements announced at the First Ministers Meeting had been hammered out during that negotiations process.

“I would also suggest that we set interim targets as well, for five years from now, to ensure that we remain focussed and accountable,” said Martin, “The challenges are urgent and we cannot afford to let his opportunity slip away.”

At the end of the historic two-day summit, during which Aboriginal and provincial leaders gave their public reaction to the agreements, Metis National Council President Clement Chartier said, “For us, the door has been opened. I don’t think we’re in the porch. If nothing else, we’re in the parlour and I believe that over the next ten years we’re going to be able to enjoy every part of the house.”

Metis National Council Vice President Audrey Poitras says, “These are remarkable times for Metis people. We are finally at a point where Canada and the provinces are ready to act responsibly and bring an end the jurisdictional wrangling over issues such as education, housing, and health care. These are important issues that mean a great deal to our people and they all deserve to enjoy the same standard of living as other Canadians. No more, no less.”

Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand said, “The Prime Minister made the historic announcement that the federal government has the primary fiduciary responsibility for the Metis Nation. For generations the Metis People have been victims of the jurisdictional denial by federal and provincial governments. Neither would accept any responsibility for the Metis. This has now changed.”

MMF President Chartrand said, “Our People have waited over a hundred years for a Prime Minister with the courage and strength of character to make that announcement. This acknowledgement of federal responsibility provides the foundation for a renewal of our Nation-to-Nation partnership and the recognition of our Government-to-Government relationship.”

Specific resource allocations in each area made to the Metis Nation have yet to be calculated and will be worked out through negotiations with the provincial and federal governments.

However, commitments in the area of education include the creation of the Metis Nation Centre of Excellence in Education and Innovation to undertake Metis-specific research, develop educational materials and resources and to enhance existing programs and services such as the Louis Riel Institute in Manitoba.

In the area of housing, a new Metis Nation Housing Institute will be created to make strategic and immediate investments in new Metis social and subsidized housing and in the ongoing maintenance of existing Metis-delivered housing.

The “Blueprint on Aboriginal Health: A 10-Year Transformative Plan” contains a Metis Framework that can be used as a national guide for investment and collaborative action with Metis partners. The implementation of federal commitments in the Blueprint will be undertaken in a manner that’s consistent with the Canada Metis Nation Framework Agreement signed in May 2005.

A communiqué issued by the Prime Minister’s office summarizes the commitments made in five key areas aimed at closing the socio-economic gap existing between Aboriginal people, Metis included, and other Canadians. The overall package is worth approximately $5.1 billion and includes Metis-specific commitment in areas as: