What has been done since the release of the Powley case?

Since September of 2003, the Métis Nation has been working to ensure that the Powley case is respected by the federal and provincial governments and that it is implemented, in partnership, with the Métis Nation's governments.

Ultimately, the Métis Nation wants to ensure that legitimate Métis rights-holders, who are harvesting within Métis self-regulation regimes, are able to harvest for food without fear of harassment, screening or charges from the federal or provincial governments.

The Fall of 2004 continues to be a period of transition with respect to Métis harvesting. In some regions of the Métis Nation, much progress has been made and interim arrangements are in place. In others, provincial governments have unilaterally implemented policies which effectively continue to deny Métis harvesting rights.

Irrespective of these short-sighted positions on the part of some governments, the Métis Nation continues to push forward on fulfilling the promise of s. 35 to the Métis. In all regions of the Métis Nation, Métis governments are undertaking consultations on the Powley case, as well as, developing and implementing their own Métis harvesting regulatory regimes. In some regions, Métis governments are already operating their own Métis-made laws.

The sections that follow provide status reports on what is in place and happening across the Métis Nation Homeland.