«I am heartened by the clear,
unequivocal condemnation
of this disrespectful, disgraceful
act that has come from American religious leaders
of all
faiths... as well as secular U.S. leaders and opinion makers,» she said.
From R. v. Powley in 2003 (which recognized that Métis communities have pre-existing aboriginal rights protected by s. 35) to Cunningham v. Alberta in 2011 (wherein Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin urged that «the time has finally come for recognition
of the Métis as a unique and distinct people») to Manitoba Métis Federation v. Canada in 2013 (which recognized the outstanding constitutional grievance
of the Manitoba Métis flowing from land grant provisions set out in s. 31
of the Manitoba
Act, 1870), the Supreme Court
of Canada has been consistent and
unequivocal: s. 35 demands good
faith and meaningful negotiations and reconciliation with the Métis people as well.