Prince George, B.C. – The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled  Metis and Non-Status Indians in the country  are entitled  to the same rights and provisions afforded  Status Indians.

The ruling  is the final  chapter in a court battle launched in 1999  by prominent Metis leader Harry Daniels and two  non-status Indians.   Daniels  did not live to  see  today, he passed away in 2004.

The unanimous ruling  makes it clear Metis and non-status Indians  who are not aligned with  any specific reserve,  are  “Indians”  and  the Federal Government is responsible for  all. (Read full decision here)

While the court battle has been  going on for  17 years,  Brenda Nome, North Central Director with the  Metis Nation of BC  says the struggle for recognition has been  much longer “This has been over a hundred years for us.  This is a time for us to be recognized and to be known that we are Metis.”

It is too early to tell just how this ruling will roll out,  but  Director Nome says it  should mean that  Metis and non status Indians  will be eligible  for the same rights, programs and services  afforded those  with status.

“It is time for us to negotiate  and  engage with the federal and provincial government” says Nome.

There are  approximately 3,000 Metis and non-status  Indians  in the north central region.  It is estimated there are  600 thousand Metis and non-status Indians in Canada.