The Association of Metis, Non and Status Indians of Saskatchewan says a decision by the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench on January 4th has legal and political ramifications for Metis organizations across Canada. A news release from the organization says that the Metis Nation Alberta failed to prove itself as the sole representative of off settlement Metis.

AMNSIS President Charlene Lavallee says the court has upheld that Metis people have the right to choose who their elected representatives are and who will speak on their behalf. She calls on Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, Patty Hajdu, and Minister of Crown Indigenous relations to begin a dialogue with AMNSIS.

Lavallee says the federal government has only dialogued with Metis Nation – Saskatchewan, and provided over $90-million to them this year, but AMNSIS believes their organization is also the voice of Metis in Saskatchewan, and should also be allocated resources for equal leverage and capacity.