“acceptance by the Métis Nation”

As R. v. Powley worked its way through the courts, the Métis Nation—through the Métis National Council—collectively developed and unanimously reached a shared National Definition for Citizenship in the Métis Nation:

“Métis means a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation.”

This act of Métis self-determination was advanced under the Métis people’s inherent right, as a distinct and constitutionally recognized Indigenous people, to define its citizenship. As the Métis Nation later argued in its R. v. Powley intervention to the Supreme Court of Canada, through the Métis National Council:

“The Intervener submits that based on the factors identified above, the Métis Nation, as a distinct Aboriginal people, is included in s. 35. A similar conclusion was reached by RCAP.”

Under this inherent jurisdiction and through the recently ratified National Definition, the Métis Nation argued in support of the Powley family and their Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community, stating:

“Further, the Intervener submits that the Sault Ste. Marie Métis community is a part of the Métis Nation based on the evidence demonstrating its connection to the larger nation and its acceptance by the Métis Nation.”

See Our Sources

• MNC’s Supreme Court Factum in Powley

• Clement Chartier Presents MNC’s Powley Intervention at SCC

• Supreme Court of Canada Decision in R. v. Powley, 2003

• Hunt for Justice: The Powley Story

• National Métis Rights Conference Delegates Kit, 1999

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