Sheila Bautz
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Daily Herald
On August 7, 2025, Treaty 6 Territory and the Heartland of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S), represented by Glen McCallum, President of the MN–S, participated in a high-level summit hosted by Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada.
The summit is an intricate component to reaffirming the MN-S requirement for a distinctions-based consultation that respects Métis rights. The Métis Major Project Summit occurs at a time when Canada is proceeding with The One Canadian Economy Act, known as Bill C-5.
“Metis transformed the original Canadian economy, built the original Canadian economy,” said Carney during a livestream of the Métis Major Project Summit, “and now we have the opportunity to work together on transformative projects that can help change the economic trajectory of our country to the benefit of all.”
On June 20, the Prime Minister released a public statement regarding the importance of Indigenous partnership as a critical component of the Bill C-5 legislation. The One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5) also introduced The Building Canada Act on June 6 as another component of Bill C-5. The Building Canada Act received Royal Assent on June 26.
“The Government of Canada is committed to respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples recognized and affirmed by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and the rights set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” states the official federal government announcement from the Prime Minister of Canada’s office.
Bill C-5 is aimed at removing building delays. It removes federal barriers for internal trade between provinces and territories, and labour mobility. It also aims to ensure that environmental protections are in place, that any infrastructure projects uphold Indigenous rights before and during the expediate nation-building projects. The nation-building projects aim to transform Canada by unleashing economic growth and implementing important infrastructures.
During the summit on August 7, the President of the MN-S reminded the Prime Minister that Métis rights are non-negotiable. McCallum emphasized for clarity that the MN-S is an independent government that cannot be represented by any other government, including provincial. The federal government and Carney continue to emphasize that a key focus area vital to the process is to work with Indigenous Peoples through consultations that solidify trust, respect and shared prosperity.
“Our Nation will always support projects that deliver economic growth—so long as they are developed responsibly and in close partnership with our citizens,” said McCallum. “While the lack of consultation surrounding the tabling and passage of this legislation remains a concern, today’s summit gives me cautious optimism that Canada will meaningfully come to the table to engage with us as the sole representative of the Métis Nation within Saskatchewan.”
The MN–S government exercises the jurisdictional right and the knowledge of its citizens to make mutually beneficial decisions about any developments. This includes decisions that ensure a fair and equal result, including the prosperity of the MN-S governing body and their distinct people.
“Canada and the MN–S government have been actively engaged in strengthening our nation-to-nation relationship since 2015 with the signing of several agreements, including the Self-Government Agreement in 2019,” said McCallum. “We have also made significant strides in our partnerships with industry who continue to include MN–S in project consultations that directly affect our citizens and their communities. We are confident both fronts will continue to gain momentum.”
McCallum’s comments further emphasized that when Métis people achieve success, Saskatchewan and Canada are enriched. The Prime Minister of Canada acknowledged the centuries of achievements made by the Métis people.
“When we look back over our history, Métis have played a pivotal role as skilled traders, as voyagers,” said Carney during the Métis Major Project Summit address, “and we’re drawing on that deep knowledge of our land, our waterways, and the seasons. This helped create the original trade networks across this land. In some respects, our task today is part of a process of creating new trade networks, new forms of commerce in Canada, both with full recognition of Métis contributions and full Métis access to the opportunities and the prosperity that this building will create.”
A recent example of the skilled MN–S business ventures include a historic Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA) with NexGen Energy Corporation two years ago. The agreement involved advancing development at the Rook I mine in the northern region. The NexGen’s Rook I Project on the Métis Homeland were subject to the Northwest Saskatchewan Métis land claim. The IBA did not violate or amend any existing Métis Rights as they entered into the agreement.
“After a century of our lands being developed without consideration of our people, it was important that we came together as one Region and one Nation to change the status quo and become a partner in the development of the Rook I Project,” said Leonard Montgrand, Regional Director of MN–S Northern Region II. “The IBA provides processes for continuous engagement on a breadth of important topics, including environmental and social concerns, human resources, and support for Métis businesses.”
“But the opportunities from the IBA go beyond the collaboration, employment, business, and financial capacity,” Montgrand further stated, “NexGen’s commitments in the IBA will set a new standard for how industry recognizes Métis rights and engages with the Métis Nation, and will provide us with tools and resources to protect our lands, animals and resources across Northern Region II.”
At that time, McCallum commented on the landmark agreement as an excellent example of a respectful business relationship.
“The modern governance structure of the Métis Nation in Saskatchewan is relatively new but has seen a string of recent successes that many thought were impossible,” said McCallum. “In 2018 we signed the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation, which provided a pathway for a negotiated resolution of the Northwest Saskatchewan Métis land claim. In 2019, we signed the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement with Canada, which set a new standard for the recognition of the Métis Nation. Among these, and many other transformative accomplishments, we are proud to add the IBA with NexGen. It is our understanding that this will be, by far, the largest Métis impact and benefit agreement in Canadian history, in recognition of our large and vibrant Métis community and our rights and interests over the land.”
The MN–S government continues to engage with new industry partners ensuring that Métis rights and citizen interests remain central to all development discussions. The gathering for the high-level Métis Major Project Summit clarified aspects of Bill C-5 between the federal and MN-S governments.
