The Metis Declaration

We the Metis people of the Northwest Territories do declare that we exist as a national entity. While it is true that our nationalism does not take form of a nation state it is sufficient to define us as a distinctive people. While it is also true that we are descendants of the Dene of the Northwest Territories we are also descendants of the other nationalities. As such we have evolved as a people that are distinct from both groups.

From the newcomers to Canada we inherit democratic rights as citizens of the nation state that they have established. As such we declare ourselves as loyal citizens of Canada. From our Dene ancestors we inherit legal rights that are owed to us by the nation state. As such we declare that we are possessed of the legal concept known as Aboriginal rights.

Therefore we declare our desire to enter into negotiations with the Government of Canada to bring our aboriginal rights into substantive form. We further declare that it is our desire that these negotiations should lead to our recognition as Metis people.

Passed by:

Dene National Assembly at Fort Good Hope 1980.

Metis Association of the Northwest Territories at the General Assembly in Hay River 1980.