RIGHTING HISTORIC WRONG: Province returns Ste. Madeleine land to Métis

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The Manitoba government and Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) signed a memorandum of understanding Friday to begin negotiations to transfer approximately 100 acres of Manitoba Crown Land to the MMF, where the Red River Métis community of Ste. Madeleine once stood.

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The MOU was signed by MMF President David Chartrand and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew at the site where the town once existed, kicking off the annual Ste. Madeleine Métis Days with fanfare, pyrotechnics and cheers.

“You can clearly see how important Ste. Madeleine is to our Nation,” said Chartrand in a statement. “The emotions were running high when we signed the MOU – you could see everywhere across the audience the sadness, the joy, the pride and the hurt all being experienced at the same time, thinking about the tragedy and horror that took place here between 1939 and 1941. We waited a very long time for this moment, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that we will always remember this as the day we finally saw justice for the people of Ste. Madeleine.”

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“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.”

The MOU establishes a joint collaborative working group to facilitate discussions and progress on issues of common interest or concern with respect of the historic community of Ste. Madeleine and the Spy Hill Ellice community pasture, in adherence with the Crown’s treaty land entitlement and duty to consult obligations. The Manitoba government will also consult with First Nations and stakeholders in Treaty 4 and the surrounding areas as part of the process, the premier said.

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“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.”

The homes of approximately 250 Métis residents of the former community of Ste. Madeleine were burned by Canada to create community pastures in 1939. This community existed along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border, west of the Assiniboine River in Treaty 4 territory. The Spy Hill Ellice community pastures were operated by Canada until 2013 when they were dissolved over a three-year period and transferred to Manitoba.

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The lands at the former Ste. Madeleine community hold historic and cultural significance to the Red River Métis. The community once had a school, church and cemetery, which continues to be maintained. The site is important to the families and descendants of the Métis community, who attend the site regularly to care for ancestral graves and host an annual Ste. Madeleine Days festival in July.

The MOU signing followed a joint cabinet meeting held Thursday at the Manitoba Legislative Building, attended by cabinet ministers from both the Manitoba government and Manitoba Métis Federation.

Friday’s announcement was made at the Ste. Madeleine Heritage Local Métis Days, an annual event commemorating the former community. The event runs throughout the weekend and features a Red River Métis market and family activities, as well as horseshoe, slingshot, cribbage, jigging, Bannock making, Bingo and closest-to-the-pin competitions.

glen.dawkins@kleinmedia.ca

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