Solution: Land Scrip in Manitoba
Two parts of the Manitoba Act dealt with Métis land rights and the extinguishment of Aboriginal title. This was different from the treaties that were later signed between the Dominion Government and the First Nations.
- Section 31 of the Manitoba Act set aside one million four hundred thousand acres (556,599 hectare) to be divided between the children of the Métis families.
- Section 32 sought to confirm title to those people who occupied land in Manitoba. This section confirmed possession by the "original white settlers" which included the European fathers of the Métis and the Selkirk settlers, as well as the Métis "heads of families."
The land set aside was based on a crude census of the province in 1870. Then, the Métis population of Manitoba was thought not to exceed 10,000.
It was not until the spring of 1875 that the federal government had even decided upon the process it would use to handle claims under Section 31 of the Manitoba Act. Because handling claims "... in addition to the regular business of the office, would be quite out of the power of the agent in charge , two special Commissioners were appointed to administer the allotment of lands and issue scrip."
The two commissioners completed their task the following year. Their report outlined the methods used and how to deal with the land and scrip distribution and it was accepted March, 1876. Commissioners Machar and Ryan named 5,088 persons who were entitled to participate in the distribution of theone million four hundred thousand acre (556,599 hectare) reserve.
