The Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council shared his thoughts on Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling recognizing the 600,000 Metis and non-status Indians in Canada as First Nation.
Terry Teegee believes it was a positive move. “I think it is a good day for the Metis and non-status Indians as they are taken out of this federal jurisdictional wasteland and now there is a clear definition that they are Indian people.”
For a long time, both groups were unfairly treated and looked down upon according to Teegee.
“It was no fault of their own going back to the tradition of who is a status Indian and I think the federal government has a responsibility to the Metis and non-status to define who they are.”
He adds it is still not defined if both groups will have the right to be consulted on major projects.
The Supreme Court voted 9-0 in favor of the move.