Metis List of Rights, adopted 3 February 1870
Canadian Northwest
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1. That in view of the present exceptional position of the
Northwest, duties up goods imported into the country shall
continue as at present (except in the case of spirituous liquors)
for three years, and for such further time as may elapse, until
there be uninterrupted railroad communication between Red River
settlement and St. Paul, and also steam communications between
Red River settlement and Lake Superior.
2. As long as this country remains a territory in the Dominion of
Canada, there shall be no direct taxation, except such as may be
imposed by the local legislature, for municipal or other local
purposes.
3. That during the time this country shall remain in the position of
a territory, in the Dominion of Canada, all military, civil and
other public expenses, in connection with the general government
of the country, or that have hitherto been borne by the public
funds of the settlement, beyond the receipt of the above
mentioned duties, shall be met by the Dominion of Canada.
4. That while the burden of public expense in this territory is
borne by Canada, the country be governed by a Lieutenant-Governor
from Canada, and a Legislature, three members of whom being heads
of departments of the Government, shall be nominated by the
Governor General of Canada.
5. That after the expiration of this exceptional period, the country
shall be governed, as regards its local affairs, as the Provinces
of Ontario and Quebec are now governed, by a Legislature by the
people, and a Ministry responsible to it under a Lieutenant-
Governor, appointed by the Governor General of Canada.
6. That there shall be no interference by the Dominion Parliament in
the local affairs of this territory, other than is allowed in the
provinces, and that this territory shall have and enjoy in all
respects, the same privileges, advantages and aids in meeting the
public expenses of this territory as the provinces have and
enjoy.
7. That, while the Northwest remains a territory, the Legislature
have a right to pass all laws local to the territory, over the
veto of the Lieutenant-Governor by a two-third vote.
8. A homestead and pre-emption law.
9. That, while the Northwest remains a territory, the sum of $25,000
a year be appropriated for schools, roads and bridges.
10. That all the public buildings be at the expense of the Dominion
treasury.
11. That there shall be guaranteed uninterrupted steam communication
to Lake Superior, within five years; and also the establishment,
by rail, of a connection with the American railway as soon as it
reaches the international line.
12. That the military force required in this country be composed of
natives of the country during four years. [Withdrawn after a vote
of 16 yeas to 23 nays.]
13. That the English and French languages be common in the
Legislature and Courts, and that all public documents and acts of
the Legislature be published in both languages.
14. That the Judge of the Supreme Court speak the French and English
languages.
15. That treaties be concluded between the Dominion and the several
Indian tribes of the country as soon as possible.
16. That, until the population of the country entitles us to more, we
have three representatives in the Canadian Parliament, one in the
Senate, and two in the Legislative Assembly.
17. That all the properties, rights and privileges as hitherto
enjoyed by us be respected, and that the recognition and
arrangement of local customs, usages and privileges be made under
the control of the Local Legislature.
18. That the Local Legislature of this territory have full control of
all the lands inside a circumference having upper Fort Garry as a
centre, and that the radius of this circumference be the number
of miles that the American line is distant from Fort Garry.
19. That every man in the country (except uncivilized and unsettled
Indians) who has attained the age of 21 years, and every British
subject, a stranger to this country who has resided three years
in this country and is a householder, shall have a right to vote
at the election of a member to serve in the Legislature of the
country, and in the Dominion Parliament; and every foreign
subject, other than a British subject, who has resided the same
length of time in the country, and is a householder, shall have
the same right to vote on condition of his taking the oath of
allegiance, it being understood that this article be subject to
amendment exclusively by the Local Legislature.
20. That the Northwest territory shall never be held liable for any
portion of the L- 300,000 paid to the Hudson's Bay Company or for
any portion of the public debt of Canada, as it stands at the
time of our entering the confederation; and if, thereafter, we be
called upon to assume our share of said public debt, we consent
only, on condition that we first be allowed the amount for which
we shall be held liable.
Source: Alexander Begg, (Toronto: 1871), p. 255.