Manitoba to return land to Red River Métis
Posted July 20, 2024 4:10 pm.
The Manitoba government is starting the process of handing over culturally significant lands back to the Red River Métis.
Premier Wab Kinew and Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand signed a memorandum of understanding Friday.
The transfer would see about 100 acres of land, which was the site of the former Red River Métis community of Ste. Madeleine transferred back.
“Less than 100 years ago, 250 Métis people were driven out of the community of Ste. Madeleine when their homes were burned,” said Kinew.
“Today is a step toward righting that historic wrong. The Manitoba Métis Federation has long called for the return of this land and we are beginning a nation-to-nation collaboration that will establish a process to transfer land that was unjustly taken back to Red River Métis citizens.”
“This is not just about returning land or preserving the graves of our Ste. Madeleine relatives, it’s about righting this historic wrong and signalling to all Manitobans and Canadians that the Red River Métis and our families will no longer be treated as less important than cattle,” said Chartrand.
“This eases a heartache that has existed at the core of our Nation for generations. Manitobans should be proud to have a premier who truly understands what reconciliation looks like and is actively moving forward with government-to-government engagement, to the benefit of all.”
About 250 Métis were driven out of their homes after Ste. Madeleine was burned down back in 1939 to make way for a pasture.
