Mtis Nation B.C. reacts to Supreme Court of Canada ruling

Mtispeople in British Columbia are celebrating after aSupreme Court of Canada ruling today ended a 17-year-long court battle to bring them under the jurisdiction of the federal government as status Indians.

• Supreme Court of Canada extends rights to Mtis and non-status Indians

"The excitement was almost overwhelming," said Bruce Dumont, president ofMtis Nation B.C., "after 200 years of suppression [...] finally being fully recognized by the Crown."

The decision means that the federal government now has constitutional responsibility forMtis and Non-status Indians.

"It is a load off your shoulders.We walk proud and we walk tall,we don't have to look back," he said.

Dumont says about 70,000 people identify themselves as Mtis in B.C.

"There is a lot of work ahead of us and we are up to the task," he said.

He says there is also a lot of work to be done within the provincial and federal governments following today's decision.

With files from the CBC's The Early Edition.

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