A total of $1.5 million will be distributed to Métis National Council, Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Columbia – Columbia and Michif Otipemisiwak Women.

These organizations need to work together Identify legislative and policy initiatives needed to address Métis over-representation and systemic discrimination in Canada’s justice system, according to a press release from the Justice Department. However, few details have been given about the exact nature of their work.

This partnership in which we participate demonstrates that it is our experiences, our viewpoints and our ways of doing things that will guide the reforms needed for a better system.explained in a press conference the President of the National Council of the Métis, Cassidy Caron.

The over-representation of tribal peoples in the justice system is a serious and complex problem that has its roots in systemic racism and the legacy of colonialismshe stressed.

For his part, Justice Minister David Lametti emphasized the effects of systemic racism. Indigenous peoples have and experience systemic racism at all levels of the justice system, leading to their over-representation as victims, survivors, accused and convictshe said.

Interactions between tribal peoples and the judiciary must change, he added. We need to find ways to transform our system to be fairer and more accessible.

We live in a new period of Canadian federation, working hand in hand and respecting the cooperation that should have existed between our peoples and has been forgotten for 150 years.said Minister Lametti.

The development of this strategy is one of the obligations of the federal government in its Action Plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The amount allocated to Métis associations comes from an amount of US$ 11 million over three years planned in Budget 2021 to support the engagement of indigenous communities and organizations in initiatives to end systemic racism in the justice system.

More announcements on this strategy will take place shortly, assures Minister Lametti.