Federal government to host Mtis treaty summit

Mtis rights and land claims could soon take a giant step forward.

CBC News has learned the Trudeau government is planning a treaty summit with Mtis leaders in January.

A recent series of rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada and other lower courts have sided with Mtis on a host of issues.

"There could be a major shift," said Dwight Newman, the University of Saskatchewan Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Rights in Constitutional and International Law.

"It certainly could be a significant development for Canada."

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Tabling discussions

A 2013 Federal Court of Canada decision declared Mtis to be on equal legal footing with status Indians. Many believe that puts Mtis in a position to negotiate treaties and secure their long-sought land base. Mtis leaders and scholars believe the 2014 Tsilhqot'in decision dramatically strengthened thoseland rights and claims to self-government.

Newman thinks the legal decisions played a rolebut so didTrudeau'svision for the country.

"There are a lot of legal decisions that put pressure on them to do this. They may also be doing it out of goodwill. It could be a combination of those two," Newman said.

Mtis National Council President Clem Chartier says Trudeau has directed his Minister of Northern and Indigenous Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, to organize the summit. It will take place sometime in January, he said.

Chartier said neither side wants to spend the coming decades fighting these issues in court. He hopes the talks will helpMtispeople finally take their rightful place in Canada.

He's hopingthe summitwill help both sides come up witha blueprint for Mtis rights.

"I believe we willbe successful in getting a framework. Like I say, this government has already stated that they're prepared to negotiate reconciliation with the Mtis nation," Chartier said.

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Unity is needed

Mtis people are recognized along with First Nations and Inuit as one of Canada's aboriginal peoples.

However, Mtis have no land base, no treaties andlimited hunting and fishing rights. They also have less access to federal education and other programs than First Nations or Inuit people.

Chartier agreed Mtisgovernments will need to speak with a united voice to ensure success.

Chartier hopes the February upcoming Mtis Nation - Saskatchewan election will resolve those issues and help the province start a new chapter.

He believes Canadians will be open to the idea of Mtis treaties once they learn about the history and issues. He said an expansion of rights and successful land claims in Manitoba were controversial at first, but that has faded.

"People are getting used to the concept of Mtis rights," he said.