Path to Self-Government: A Sit Down with Michelle LeClair, Vice President of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
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It was a sweltering day at Back to Batoche, a time of celebration and remembrance for the Métis people.
Amid the heat and the vibrant energy of the festival, EFN Media sat down with Michelle LeClair, Vice President of Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S), to discuss the pivotal steps it’s taking toward self-government.
MN-S recently announced the launch of Kishchi Mashinaayikun Ooshchi Michif, the Sacred Document from the Michif.
This self-government agreement, a modern treaty being negotiated with Canada, aims to constitutionally protect the Métis’ right to self-government in Saskatchewan.
It represents not just a legal agreement but the recognition of the Métis’ jurisdiction over core governance matters.
According to LeClair, the Métis people have been fighting for this type of recognition for over 200 years.
“The Government of Canada doesn’t give us the right to self-government or self-determination, that comes from our people, and from the Creator,” she said. “But the outright recognition and the constitutional protection is absolutely historic and exciting.”
However, the path has been anything but straightforward.
Following the withdrawal from Bill C-53 on April 17 the MN–S committed to forging its own path forward.
The self-government negotiations have been ongoing for more than five years.
LeClair understands the significance of the agreement, and for her, it’s deeply personal.
“This is probably the most important thing that any of us will ever do – having the first modern-day treaty in Saskatchewan for Métis people,” she says.
MN–S is actively engaging with its citizens and communities. This dialogue is essential to ensure the final agreement reflects the values, culture, and identity of the Métis people.
Victoria Parisien sits at the ‘Our Moment’ kiosk providing information about the upcoming self-government document (Photo by Ben Borne).
According to LeClair, the most challenging part of engaging citizens is reaching those who are not attached to a Metis local – only 20% of citizens are attached to a local.
“The tricky part is always trying to get to those citizens that aren’t part of a local – that aren’t part of sort of that communication stream. So events like Back to Batoche and having the ‘Our Moment’ kiosk here is important,” she said. “We also have a Kiosk at the Saskatoon Ex…we hope to hit those other people that aren’t getting the information through the normal channels.”
To ratify the document, 75% of citizens who vote (ages 16+) must vote yes. MN-S will call on citizens to ratify the Sacred Document this fall in anticipation of federal legislation in early 2025.
For the MN-S, ‘Our Moment’ is more than a theme; it’s a declaration of identity, resilience, and future aspirations.
Learn more about the movement towards self-government at ourmoment.ca
