Justice

UNDRIP, policing, MMIWG, and other issues of justice are of great concern for the Métis Nation. Working closely with the Governing Members and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, the Métis National Council advances these issues of collective importance to the Métis Nation at the national level.

UNDRIP recognizes the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples globally and sets the minimum standard for the recognition of those rights. For us, these rights are held collectively by the Métis Nation, and our Governments have begun to work in partnership with Canada to implement UNDRIP and ensure our self-determination.

The ongoing deficit in the recognition of our rights can be seen clearly in the criminal justice system. Métis people are over-represented in the criminal justice system and as victims of crime relative to the Canadian population. This situation is also worsening, with numbers increasing, not diminishing. Current remedial measures that are in place to address Indigenous justice concerns have failed to take a distinctions-based approach. That is, there are very few Métis-specfic policies and programs in place to address Métis Nation concerns in the area of justice and policing.

It is important that the Métis National Council's work in these areas advance the Métis Nation-specific approach to addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. On behalf of and through confirmation of the Métis Nation Governing members, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak is the file lead on Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people for the Métis Nation.