Métis nations from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario want direct negotiations with feds

Three provincial Métis nations are asking the federal government to negotiate directly with them on issues of self-government and not through their national representative body.

The Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Ontario and Saskatchewan’s Métis Nation met this week in Edmonton and passed a resolution calling for more transparency and accountability from Métis National Council.

The resolution says the three nations will work through the national council until after the federal government releases its 2020 budget, but then they want to see changes.

Presidents of the three nations signed a document saying the development of a federal Métis claims policy should occur between their respective governments and Ottawa, and that they will establish a working group to discuss possible reforms to the national council or creation of a new structure.

Last year the three nations signed self-government agreements with Ottawa that recognize their jurisdiction.

The three nations met with federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett in Edmonton to discuss their resolution.

Bennett’s office says she was pleased with Friday’s meeting and looks forward to them working together, including on the implementation of the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements signed in June.

READ MORE: Lawsuit claims land in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan owed to Métis

Watch below: Some Global News videos about Métis issues.

1:26 Métis in Canada granted right for self-governance

• Métis in Canada granted right for self-governance
• Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, stakeholders sign agreement granting Métis self-governance
• ‘We are best placed to govern ourselves’: Alberta Métis President
• Ottawa signs self-government agreements with Metis Nation in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario
• Lethbridge celebrates Métis week with flag raising
• How to celebrate as Métis Week marked in Alberta
• Lawsuit claims land in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan owed to Métis
• Ottawa issues multi-million-dollar apology to Métis veterans of Second World War
• More supports are coming for members of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan

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