Métis Rights

The Métis, First Nations and Inuit peoples are distinct Aboriginal peoples whose rights are recognized and affirmed by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. However, the nature and extent of the rights of the Métis has to date been a gray area as the majority of case law and judicial and academic commentary has focused on the rights of First Nations peoples. Less than a handful of decisions have been rendered by the Supreme Court of Canada expressly considering the rights of the Métis. The rights of the Inuit, with a few exceptions, have been dealt with largely by means of modern treaties and land claim settlements in northern Canada.