Daniels vs. Canada: Metis and Non-Status Indians are to be under Federal jurisdiction.

Xelebes

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Supreme Court of Canada decision: http://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/15858/index.do

Article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/métis-indians-supreme-court-ruling-1.3535236

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that tens of thousands of Métis and non-status Indians are the responsibility of the federal government, ending a 17-year court battle.

"This is a great day for over 600,000 Metis and non-status Indians," said Dwight Dorey, national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, after the decision was released Thursday.

"Now hopefully we will not have to wait any longer to sit at the table."

Important ruling in Canada here. Still reading.
 

blacbird

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X, you might want to enlighten us poor benighted Yanks as to the overall relationships and current legal status of First Nations, Métis and "non-status" native peoples in Canada. What exact issues was this court case about? I really don't know what "to sit at the table" means in this context.

caw
 

Xelebes

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First Nation: any nation recognised by treaty made with either the Crown (Treaty of Montreal) or by the Government of Canada (The Numbered Treaties, BC Treaty Process.) This excludes the Inuit who never signed a treaty, as far as I understand.

Status Indian: Any person recognised as being a member of a nation for the purposes of the Indian Act.

Non-Status Indian: Any person descended from a past or present nation who is not recognised as being a member of a nation for the purposes of the Indian Act. An example is any of the descendants of the Papaschase Cree Nation who had their land signed away by Frank Oliver to make way for the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

Metis: A group of nations that are a mix of European and native who have fought to be considered different from native and European. Battle of the Seven Oaks and the Riel Rebellion are the main conflicts of the 19th century that have them asserting their presence. The creation of the province of Manitoba was a major step towards their recognition but have since fallen through the cracks of Canadian law.
 

Xelebes

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"To sit at the table" in Canada largely means to be a party in the discussions that have direct impact on them with agency afforded to them to make their own decisions. This is done to reduce conflict, especially after what had happened that led up to the Oka Crisis.