An historic day for the Metis.
That’s how Tony Goulet, the President of the North Cariboo Metis Association, describes today’s Supreme Court ruling that says Metis and non-status aboriginals are “indians” under the constitution.
Goulet says it’s been a long time coming and he says sometimes he felt that it would never happen.
He says Metis have often been termed as the forgotten people and he thinks this really just entrenches that they are now here.
Goulet says there are upwards of two thousand Metis in the Quesnel area.
He says this paves the way for Metis to have equal rights as First Nations people, although he admits he’s not entirely sure what that means yet.
Goulet says what they were trying to do is get the same rights when it comes to things like the ability to hunt and fish and to access programs.
For decades Federal and Provincial Governments have passed the buck on who is responsible for Metis and aboriginals living off-reserve but today the Supreme Court answered that question by pointing the finger at Ottawa.