'Nation to nation': Mtis, Canada sign long-awaited accord

Mtis leaders met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several cabinet ministers Thursdayto sign a long-awaitedaccord seen as the foundation for a nation-to-nation relationship between the two.

Called the Canada-Mtis Nation Accord, the document was signed during the first Mtis Nation-Crown Summit in Ottawa on Thursday.

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"Today marks a reset in the relationship between Canada and the Mtis Nation," said Mtis National Council president Clment Chartier.

"A process is in place to deal with issues in a concentrated and collaborative manner, and that speaks to the commitment of both parties to get things done."

'Recognition, rights and respect'

The signing of the accord kicks off ongoing talks on employment, healthand housing for Mtis people, andthe establishment of a permanent forum for Mtis chaired by the prime minister.

"These discussions mark an important step in the relationship between the Crown and the Mtis Nation based on recognition, rights and respect," said Mtis Nation of Ontario head Margaret Froh.

"We now have a solid foundation upon which to move forward with a respectful, renewed Mtis Nation-Crown relationship, for the benefit of all Canadians," read a statement from Prime Minister Trudeau.

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The accord is the result of months of negotiations between Mtis leaders and the federal government. The summit was initially scheduled for March but had to be postponed after the attack on a mosque in Quebec.

According to the Mtis National Council, there are approximately 400,000 Mtis across Canada, or roughly a quarter of all Indigenous Peoplesin the country.