Canada and Métis Nation of Alberta sign updated Métis self-government agreement

From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

News release

February 24, 2023 (Edmonton, AB) — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Métis Nation of Alberta

Today, Canada and the Métis Nation of Alberta announced that the parties have signed a Métis Nation within Alberta Government Recognition and Self-Government Implementation Agreement (the “Agreement”).  This Agreement builds on a self-government agreement previously signed in 2019 and formal negotiations between the parties that began in 2017.

Upon signing this Agreement, Canada officially recognizes that the Métis Nation of Alberta is the Indigenous government representing its citizens and communities within Alberta, known as the Métis Nation within Alberta, and that this Métis collectivity has an inherent right to self-government recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

The Agreement recognizes that the Métis Nation of Alberta, as a Métis government, has jurisdiction over its internal and core governance matters such as citizenship, elections, and administration matters.  The jurisdiction recognized in the Agreement touches upon core governance issues that are viewed as key facets of the Indigenous right to self-determination and self-government. The Agreement also recognizes that the Métis Nation of Alberta is an Indigenous governing body for the purposes of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.

In keeping with the longstanding goal of the Métis Nation of Alberta for recognition of their unique identity, culture, and governance on a nation-to-nation, government-to-government basis, the Agreement commits the parties to ongoing negotiations towards a core self-government treaty within the next two years.

Federal implementation legislation will be introduced as soon as possible following the signing of today’s Agreement and is a priority for the parties.

This Agreement, along with other such agreements signed with Métis governments, is a key part of Canada’s commitment to work with Indigenous partners to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Quotes

“For almost a century, our citizens and communities in Alberta have come together, with the vision of Louis Riel in their hearts, to build the Métis Nation of Alberta as their Métis government. With the recent ratification of our Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution and the formal recognition of our Métis government by Canada, we now have a clear pathway to finally put into place an enduring nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship with the federal Crown through a modern day treaty.”

Audrey Poitras
President of the Métis Nation of Alberta  

“The Agreement we have signed today will revitalize and transform our government-to-government relationship with the Métis Nation of Alberta. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Métis Nation of Alberta to co-develop approaches that deliver on our shared priorities for reconciliation and support their vision of a better future for the citizens and communities the Métis government represents.”

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Quick facts

  • The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples recognized in section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act, 1982.  

  • In 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada first recognized Métis rights in R. v. Powley and set out the criteria for establishing Métis rights.

  • Following the Powley decision, Canada has taken steps to recognize its outstanding legal and constitutional obligation to acknowledge and respect Métis rights, including the inherent right of self-government.

  • Today’s Agreement is the culmination of over seven years of collaboration, co-development and negotiations between Canada and the Métis Nation of Alberta.

  • The results of these efforts have included a Memorandum of Understanding and Framework Agreement signed in 2017, a Consultation Agreement signed in 2018, and a Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement signed in 2019.

  • Negotiations to update the terms of the 2019 self-government agreement began in 2021 and have recently concluded, resulting in the Agreement signed today.

  • The parties look forward to continuing their collaborative work at the negotiating table on all of their shared priorities for achieving a lasting reconciliation for the benefit of Métis Nation of Alberta citizens and all Canadians.

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Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Aïssatou Diop
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations
aissatou.diop@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Media Relations
Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca

Nicole Sparrow
Métis Nation of Alberta
780-686-2134
nsparrow@enterprisecanada.com

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