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Rights for all Aboriginals should be upheld

“It’s been a long tough road for Métis people in this Country to get the recognition they are entitled to. This is a big step,” added SGEU President Bob Bymoen.

Regina (22 Jan. 2013) —The recent Federal court decision recognizing that Métis and non-status Indians in Canada are "Indians" under the Constitution Act should be applauded, not appealed, according to the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE) and its Fostering Acceptance of Indigenous Rights (FAIR) committee.

”It should have been done long ago,” said Sharon Rose, Chair of the SGEU FAIR committee.

“Métis, non-status and status Indians are all Aboriginals. It’s about time they are treated the same.”

The decision could see 400,000 Métis and 200,000 non-status Indians qualify for the same services and rights as other First Nations people in Canada, including programs that are only available to on-reserve First Nations.

“It’s been a long tough road for Métis people in this Country to get the recognition they are entitled to. This is a big step,” added SGEU President Bob Bymoen.

SGEU/NUPGE urges the federal government to sit down with representatives of the affected groups and negotiate agreements that acknowledge and support the constitutional rights that the Court has now recognized.

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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE