Canada is going the wrong way on distinctions-based funding, excluding Red River Métis Youth

April 1, 2026

Winnipeg, MB, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, is disheartened by recent announcements by the Canadian government, which together demonstrate a move away from distinctions-based funding and nation-to-nation, government-to-government engagement, allocating all Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) to Friendship Centres, in addition to excluding the Red River Métis from healthcare, governance, and emergency management funding.

Recent announcements made by Indigenous Services Canada Minister Mandy Gull-Masty outline an investment $738.9 million to strengthen First Nations healthcare, governance, and emergency management. This is on top of an earlier announcement of $1.4 billion for mental health and trauma, assisted living services on reserves, and the UPIP funding.

In Canada's release, Minister Gull-Masty is quoted as saying that these investments are intended to "help ensure Indigenous Peoples can receive care that reflects their realities and strengthens communities for generations to come."

"These announcements reflect a disturbing trend by Canada of using the term "Indigenous" while they clearly mean "First Nations," said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. "What's worse is that it's also pointing to a disturbing trend of moving away from distinctions-based, nation-to-nation engagement, a model through which we had a proven track record of producing gold standard programs and services that created benefits for our Citizens and all Canadians. We are not opposed to the advancements of other Indigenous Peoples, but we have a right to see our taxes benefit us, too."

The MMF expects Canada to honour its 2017 commitment to a relationship with our Nation that would uphold the special relationship it has with us as partners in Confederation and recognized Section 35 rightsholders. In only one example of what the Red River Métis have been able to accomplish in the short decade since Canada committed itself to engaging in a distinctions-based, nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship, the MMF's housing program has allowed close to 1,500 Red River Métis families to purchase their own homes, and contribute over $350 million to the economy.

"We have been down the pan-Indigenous road before and it never fails to fail," said President Chartrand. "This series of announcements is Canada going the wrong way, full stop. We have proven over and over again that we know how to create success in the long term through our work in support of our Citizens. Canada seems to forget that we too have people living in isolated communities that are vulnerable to wildfires and need access to health services and digital health tools. It's forgetting that we too need culturally relevant, distinctions-based programming to ensure our Youth have the confidence and strength of identity needed to be successful and stay on the right path. We will not allow our Youth and families to be left on the wayside. If Canada insists on going down this road, they will find the Red River Métis standing in their way, and will learn what many have learned before - there are few who are more formidable as opponents."

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For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis. The Red River Métis are a distinct Indigenous Nation and People and Canada's Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.

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