Mtis veterans receive apology, promise of compensation from federal minister

Mtis veterans in Canada have received an apology and promise of compensation from a federal minister.

In a packed room at the Royal Canadian Legion in Regina, Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAuleyacknowledged Tuesday the long-held belief of Mtis advocatesthat their people were not treated fairly once returning from war.

MacAuley said the government regrets"that our countryhas taken three-quarters of a century" to make theacknowledgement.

"We apologize," he said.

MacAuleysaidMtispeople fought valiantly in several wars, but weren't given benefits on return to Canada.

TheMtis Nation's Minister Responsible for Veterans, David Chartrand, commended the apology, but expressedsadness over those vets who never heard it because theydied young, died of suicide, or died stuck in a bottle.

MacAuley also announced $30-million forMtis veterans, $20,000 of which was directly given in check form to 93-year-old veteran Norman Goodon.

CBC had previously reported on the federal government setting aside this money.

"They deserve our respect and we say thank you,"MacAuley said.

Chartrand said the $20,000 compensation Goodon received was akin to what First Nations veterans received years ago, and that there are nine or 10 other veterans they've already identified who will receive $20,000 checks.

He said thedescendants of any Mtis veteranswho died within past three years will get the same amount and vowed the money will be spent wisely.

MtisNation-Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum told the crowd that reconciliation isnever too late.