Métis Governance and Policy

Congratulations!

Dr. Carly Priebe, Dr. Kurtis Boyer, Dr. Paula MacDowell, and Dr. Neil Chilton are being celebrated for their dedication to student engagement and learning through the Lieutenant Governor’s Post-Secondary Teaching Award.

This award recognizes post-secondary educators who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and provide exceptional student experiences through innovation, reconciliation, and leadership.

Read more and help us celebrate our educators:
https://news.usask.ca/articles/community/2025/four-usask-educators-celebrated-for-enhancing-student-success.php

Last week, our incoming Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, Master of Public Administration (MPA) students began their studies at Batoche, a place of enduring importance to Métis people and governance.

Students were joined by Elder Norman Fleury, Darryl Bazylak, Deputy Chief of Programs and Services at Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, and Dr. Kurtis Boyer, Chair in Métis Governance and Policy, who introduced them to Métis governance, nationhood, and explored how self-determination is strengthened through collective responsibility.

As future public servants, students began their studies by learning from Métis governance and nationhood — part of a foundation for working in partnership with Indigenous governments.

The University of Saskatchewan is hosting the Indigenous Membership and Citizenship Conference from May 7–9, 2025, at TCU Place in Saskatoon.

Organized by USask’s Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, this conference builds upon the citizenship agreement signed by the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan. This national event will explore the creation, implementation, and impact of Indigenous citizenship and membership verification policies in post-secondary education.

Dr. Kurtis Boyer, Chair in Métis Governance and Policy at USask, is honored to join distinguished speakers such as Dr. Chris Andersen, Dean of the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta; Dr. Robina Thomas, Vice-President Indigenous at the University of Victoria; Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller, Associate Vice-President at Carleton University; Dr. Celeste Pedri-Spade, Associate Provost at McGill University and Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatamil.

For more information and to register, visit the conference website:

https://indigenous.usask.ca/about/indigenous-membership-and-citizenship-conference.php

The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) has issued a response to the Métis National Council's (MNC) Expert Panel report, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the process and the evidentiary standards used. Good decision-making requires impartial evidence and rigorous analysis—values the nation continues to uphold.

As part of this commitment, MN–S supported the Visions of the Nation project, an independent study, carried out by the Chair of Métis Governance and Policy which examines the inclusion of seven communities into the Métis Nation of Ontario and the broader implications for legitimacy, governance, and identity. The Visions report reflects the work of leading Métis scholars and offers a transparent, academically sound analysis rooted in accountability and care.

Read the MN–S response here:https://metisnationsk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MN–S-responds-to-MNC-Expert-Panel-release.pdf

Explore the Visions of the Nation report here: https://research-groups.usask.ca/metisgov/visions-of-the-nation.php

Congratulations Jason!

🌟Congratulations to Jason Mercredi for receiving the Community Engagement Award during Indigenous Achievement Week at our USask campus.

Jason, a member of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation who grew up in La Ronge, is a student in our Online Master of Public Administration program. He is making a meaningful impact through his work with Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, helping establish jurisdiction for Child and Family Services.

Rooted in the values of community and culture, passed down from his family and diverse heritage, Jason is passionate about governance and giving back. He also volunteers on Oskayak High School's kitōtēminawak Council.

Join us in congratulating Jason below! 🎉

📢 You're Invited!
Join us for an insightful talk by Métis scholar, Dr. Paul Simard Smith from the University of Regina's Department of Philosophy.

🗓 Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: USASK - ESB 112
🎙 Title: Métis Inherent Rights to Self-Government and Constitutional Authority

Abstract:

Recent agreements between Métis governments and Canada recognize the Métis Nation’s inherent right to self-government. However, this recognition raises the question: what is the nature of this inherent right? In particular, what kind of jurisdiction is associated with it? We argue that – from a conceptual and ethical standpoint – the powers associated with this right ought to be regarded as inherent, not delegated by the Crown, and as including constitutional authority with respect to the Constitution of Canada. We develop this case in several stages. First, we provide a conceptual analysis of the inherent right to self-government; highlighting that the proper understanding of this concept favors a view in which its jurisdiction is not delegated by the Crown. Moreover, pairing this notion of the inherent right with a conceptual analysis of the notion of constitutional authority we show that, in the Canadian context, the powers associated with the inherent right should include a fair measure of constitutional authority. Next, we draw on the Métis self-government agreements as a case study to further discuss our conceptions of the inherent right. We note that there are provisions within the agreements that appear to recognize the constitutional authority of Métis Governments, and adequately respect the inherent right to self-government. However, there are also clauses that could be used to deny the constitutional authority of Métis governments and recognize only a nominal right to self-government in which the powers associated with this right are fully delegated. Ultimately, legislatures, courts, and citizens – both those of the Métis Nation and Canada – are approaching a crossroads in which a path between these different options must be determined. We close by making a political and ethical argument for regarding the inherent right as associated with inherent non-delegated jurisdiction that includes constitutional authority in the Canadian legal order.

Exciting news for Métis research and governance! The University of Saskatchewan and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan have signed a groundbreaking research agreement. This partnership creates a shared governance model that will drive impactful research with and for Métis communities. Read more about this important milestone for our communities:

USask and MN–S government agreement supports high-impact research with and for Métis communities - News A recent agreement between the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Métis–Nation Saskatchewan (MN–S) government aims to enhance research impact for and with Métis citizens.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kurtis Boyer, Chair in Métis Governance and Policy at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy has recently published a journal article titled “𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔é𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦.”⁣⁣⁣
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This work is a collaboration with Dr. Chris Andersen, Dean of the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. The article contributes to a deeper understanding of how identity and nationhood can support Indigenous nation-building, addressing issues of marginalization and racial narratives.⁣
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We invite you to read the full article 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/23/article/936807⁣

MN-S has left MNC. As noted in the official statement, “Recent work of the Chair of Métis Governance and Policy at the University of Saskatchewan includes bringing together leading Métis scholars recognized as experts in their field to ensure our decisions are based on research, evidence, and the needs of our citizens."

This decision to step away from the MNC reflects a carefully considered approach informed by evidence and scholarly research.

To see the press release see:https://metisnationsk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sept-19-2024-MNS-leaves-MNC-.pdf

Announcement! The Chair in Métis Governance and Policy, at Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, has shared the findings of the Visions of the Nation Project, developed to support the work of the Métis National Council Expert Panel.

This project is the result of deep engagement with leading Métis scholars and recognized experts in the field, bringing together a collective voice to address critical issues of legitimacy, governance structures, and Métis Nation identity.

This report is part of Métis Nation–Saskatchewan’s submission to
MNC's expert panel and reflects its commitment to an evidence-based, arms-length process in addressing critical issues of the nation.

The full report is now available, providing important insights relevant to the future of our Nation. Explore the findings and read the full report here: https://research-groups.usask.ca/metisgov/visions-of-the-nation.php