We’re here for you

Between 1871 and 1906, Treaty Commissioners, acting on behalf of the Crown, signed seven Treaties with First Nations leaders in what is now called Manitoba. This land is the homeland of the Métis Nation and the traditional territory of the Cree, Dakota, Dene, Anishinaabeg, Oji-Cree and Ojibway Nations, all of whom have and had a spiritual relationship with this land since time immemorial before the signing of the Treaties.

The MBA represents approximately 1,600 diverse members throughout our province. Our membership includes students, faculty members, lawyers and judges from a variety of backgrounds who gather in lands and territories sharing the rights and obligations of these seven Treaties. 

We are pleased to welcome participants from the different territories across Canada. We ask each of you to consider the lands and territories on which you practice, as we acknowledge with respect and gratitude the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit whose footsteps have marked this land for centuries. We hope each of you will take concrete steps to gain an understanding of the customary laws of Indigenous peoples in relation to these sacred lands they have lived on since the beginning of time.

We also wish to acknowledge that the water we enjoy in Winnipeg comes from Shoal Lake, the lands of the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty 3 territory.