President David Chartrand responds to today's AMC statement regarding our Treaty

October 28, 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, responds with firm condemnation against Grand Chief Kyra Wilson's remarks about standing with National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and her recent comments denying the existence of the Red River Métis.

At the beginning of this week, First Nations leadership was sent to Ottawa, carrying the hopes and dreams of individual First Nations, chiefs, and councils, to talk about First Nations advancements, participation in the economy, and advancing their interests across the country now called Canada. Instead of meeting this moment and honouring this precious mandate, these leaders took a different pathway, which every First Nations person, chief, and council should be scratching their heads about. The Prime Minister of this country came out of the historic First Ministers/First Nations meeting talking about spending billions of dollars to create good paying jobs for Indigenous peoples - jobs that put food on the table and help build a future that will benefit all of our children and grandchildren.

One of the priority matters that emerged was the possibility of reforming the Indian Act, which has long been imposed on the First Nations. Clearly, a chance to change the future is now before our relatives. Sadly, rather than focusing on Indian Act reform, advancements like infrastructure, clean water, and financial well-being for all First Nations, these leaders used their platform to attack your relatives and allies, the Red River Métis. We are just as confused and disheartened by this choice as those First Nations who placed their faith in that leadership. Countless citizens, hundreds of chiefs and thousands of council members must be outraged by this shift away from the hard work of empowering their people and making life better for them.

To be clear, we take no issue with our First Nations relatives standing for their rights. In fact, we have encouraged, supported and even defended those rights with our own blood.

But let us be equally clear - we are a distinct people. Our destiny is not connected with the destiny of our First Nations relatives. Our rights are distinct from First Nations rights. Our citizenship process is separate from First Nations citizenship opportunities and challenges. Our agreements with Canada do not come ahead of First Nations, but they also do not take a back seat.

We have a right to negotiate our own terms for our own self-governance without the interference of First Nations peoples, just as First Nations have a right to negotiate their own agreements without expectation of interference from us. Our course to self-government recognition has been long, but we believe that we are on the cusp of achieving our rightful place in Canada's Confederation.

Whether it's self-determination, identity, citizenship, elections, or jurisdiction over our own children, we have a pathway that could be used by First Nations looking for a better way to engage with this country now called Canada. We remain, as we always have been, willing to support any who choose that path.

As these leaders were actively speaking against the Red River Métis, I was speaking to Indigenous people from many countries at the World Indigenous Business Forum. One of the last things I said to them was: "Imagine how strong we'd be if we worked together and stood united against anyone who would harm us or hold us back?"

Sadly, this is a practice that these First Nations leaders have not yet understood.

-30- 

For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat [dot] Patenaude [at] mmf [dot] mb [dot] 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.

View More