The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is calling for the immediate withdrawal of a federal government bill that would recognize the right to self-government of the Red River Métis.

The AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said in a statement that Bill C-21, the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty Act, threatens to create a “hierarchy of rights” by implementing Red River Métis self-government rights “at the expense of First Nations treaty rights.”

Woodhouse Nepinak told CBC Indigenous that Canada has been “trying to create a division” between First Nations and Métis, particularly when it comes to land issues.

“I think that the discussions between First Nations and Métis need to be had, and I think that they should be deciding together, not Canada or other people interfering,” she said.

In the statement, she said the treaty agreement was made without consultation with First Nations, “despite having major implications for First Nations lands and territories in Manitoba and beyond.”

A Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement was signed in 2021 that recognized the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) as the governing body for the Red River Métis.

If enacted, Bill C-21 would replace the recognition agreement with the self-government treaty, the first of its kind between a Métis government and Canada.

The bill was introduced to Parliament on Feb. 12, and began second reading on Wednesday.

Woodhouse Nepinak’s statement said the “undefined territorial scope of the Red River Métis within the bill would set the stage for expansive Métis jurisdiction over areas that conflict with the existing rights and jurisdiction of First Nations.”

Woodhouse Nepinak told CBC Indigenous the federal government has a first obligation to settle existing land issues with First Nations, who are “foundational partners in this country.”

“This is our land, traditionally,” she said.

“It is our land and I don’t know where Métis land is. I have no idea.”

‘No hierarchy of rights’

MMF President David Chartrand, who was in the House for the reading, said the statement by Woodhouse Nepinak didn’t surprise him.

“We’ve been 100 per cent supporting all treaty land entitlement expansions, so for her to create this fight now that may result in her saying all First Nations are against this, she’s in la la land,” Chartrand said.

“There is no hierarchy of rights. First Nation rights do not have any higher recognition than Métis rights.”

Chartrand said he invites Woodhouse Nepinak to debate him on the bill “at any time, any place in this country,” and invites any others in opposition to the bill to voice their concerns at the House Committee stage.

“Consultation, I’m never afraid of. I think people should be given as much information as they can, and that’s what you have committee for,” he said.

“Committee will come and you’ll have a chance to speak your mind, ask any question you want, get more clarity you want, try to propose amendments you want.”

The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, which is working on its own self–government agreement with the federal government, released a statement Wednesday congratulating the Manitoba Métis Federation on the second reading of Bill C-21.

“Métis peoples in all jurisdictions have a right to self-governance and self-determination,” said MN-S President Glen McCallum in the statement.

‘This treaty does not exist in a vacuum’

In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Conservative MP Billy Morin said there was ambiguity in the treaty’s definitions and scope, noting in particular the layout for “future supplementary self-government arrangements.”

“To be very blunt, I have heard from First Nations in the last 48 hours that have serious concerns,” Morin told the House of Commons.

Conservative MP David McKenzie said “there has been a clear and undeniable failure to consult. This treaty does not exist in a vacuum. It has implications far beyond Manitoba.”

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada spokesperson Anispiragas Piragasanathar said in a statement to CBC Indigenous that the government engaged in consultations with potentially impacted groups between August 2023 and October 2024.

Piragasanathar said Canada wrote to “all 63 First Nations in Manitoba to notify them of the draft treaty and offer them an opportunity to participate in the Crown consultation and engagement process.”

“All 63 First Nations were afforded the opportunity to meet directly with officials and/or provide written correspondence in which to identify concerns regarding the draft treaty.”

Piragasanathar said further debate on Bill C-21 has not yet been scheduled and will be determined at a later date.