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16 Métis Nation of Alberta 16 MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA Planning your learning FIRST STEPS journey Métis historic communities and their Who are the Métis and how distinct culture were established during the did the Métis Nation of Alberta fur trade prior to the Rupert’s Land territory becoming part of Canada.1 The Métis are come to be? one of the three distinct Aboriginal2 peoples of Canada recognized in the 1982 Canadian Constitution. Many Canadians have mixed Indigenous and non-Indigenous ancestry but are not Métis, or despite having the lived experience, do not identify as Métis. Métis in Alberta are Indigenous people who self- identify as Métis, have a shared kinship through a historic community and have formed a distinct culture that includes their own customs, traditions, Michif language3 and relationships to the land. Métis are culturally distinct from other Indigenous THIS IMAGE IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND REPRINTED COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY people. OF CALGARY ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS. Group portrait of the Provincial Executive Committee, Alberta Métis Association, Edmonton, Alberta March 1935 Front row, L–R: Malcolm Frederick Norris, Joseph Francis Dion, James Patrick Brady. Back row, L–R: Peter Cecil Tomkins, Felix Callihoo. Louis Riel,7 leader of the 1869 Métis Red “The Métis THE FUR TRADE AND River Resistance in present day Manitoba, are one of joined forces with Gabriel Dumont,8 RESISTANCE president of the South Saskatchewan three distinct The Métis played a crucial role in the River Métis, to fight for Métis land 2 development and success of the fur rights in what is now Saskatchewan and Aboriginal trade throughout the North-West.4 Alberta in the North-West Resistance that peoples of Canada As European fur traders moved culminated at Batoche9 in 1885. After into the Rupert’s Land (North-West) a four-day battle, the better equipped recognized territory,5 some entered into “country Canadian militia defeated the Métis marriages” with First Nations forces. Riel surrendered, was tried for under the women and had children with them. treason by the Canadian government, 1982 Canadian Over time, these children and their and was convicted and executed on following generations developed a November 16, 1885.10 Constitution.” distinct culture, language and identity, established communities along fur trade routes and flourished as SCRIP entrepreneurs and prominent fur trade intermediaries between First Nations Scrip was a policy of the Canadian and Europeans along locations that government to deal with Métis land title. include Fort Chipewyan (c 1778), Fort “Half-breed” scrip, as it was officially Vermilion (c 1779), Lac La Biche Mission known, was granted to those Métis (c 1785) and Fort Augustus (Edmonton who met the criteria set out by the House) (c 1795). Eventually a political Government of Canada. It was issued consciousness and sense of nationhood in the form of a certificate valued at developed and congealed from these either 160 or 240 acres of land and/or early settlements.6 an equal dollar amount. Throughout this convoluted scrip process, there was widespread fraud committed by Rupert’s Land scrip speculators and only a handful of Métis actually received scrip. In the Map early 1920s, Canada’s Senate changed Indigenous and the Criminal Code to effectively European relations decriminalize this fraudulent activity. in the fur trade This sparked outrage among the Métis, economy of the historic some of whom became politically active Northwest (1670–1870) as a result.11 produced the bois- brûlé, who were a formidable force of ADVOCATE FOR LAND hunters and fur traders who engaged business RIGHTS with the Hudson’s Métis in Alberta began to organize Bay Company and the politically in the 1920s. In 1928, a small North West Company. Rupertsland Institute, Métis Centre of Excellence group of Métis under the leadership of Over time the bois- www.rupertsland.org/metis-homeland/ Charles Delorme met near Cold Lake. This brûlé developed kinship started the first political movement here with a distinct cultural, entrepreneurial skills and trade in Alberta for the Métis. In the 1930s, the political and collective identity which experience outside the boundaries Métis Association of Alberta (MAA) was led to their open declaration that they of Rupert’s Land territory including established to advocate for the land rights were the Métis Nation. Led by Cuthbert parts of (northern) United States. The of Métis in Alberta. They successfully Grant, their long-standing dispute freedom and mobility of the Métis lobbied the provincial government to with Lord Selkirk and encroaching Nation expands its traditional territory establish the Ewing Commission to settlers at the Red River Settlement beyond the Rocky Mountain watershed gave immediate entry into the political and makes it difficult to illustrate an examine the social and economic issues arena over Métis land rights ending agreed map depicting the Métis Nation of the Métis. This led to the establishment in the Battle of the Frog Plain in 1816 Homeland beyond Rupert’s Land of 12 Métis settlements in Alberta, under (commonly known as the Battle of boundaries. the Métis Population Betterment Act of 12 Seven Oaks). 1938. The Métis Association of Alberta For greater certainty, the homeland became the Métis Nation of Alberta in After 1821, the diminishing fur of the Métis Nation extends beyond 1991.13 The 12 settlements were reduced to trade transitioned some Métis into the illustration of Rupert’s Land 8 by the Alberta Government and became buffalo hunters supplying buffalo boundaries (please refer to www the Federation of Métis Settlements and hides and pemmican to the Hudson’s .rupertsland.org/metis-homeland/ for in 1990, the Métis Settlements General Bay Company while they explored further information). Council.14 Walking Together: Education for Reconciliation On June 27, 2019, the Métis Nation MÉTIS NATION OF MÉTIS IN CANADA of Alberta signed the historic Métis ALBERTA Section 35 of the Constitution Act government recognition and self- 1982 defines “aboriginal peoples of government agreement with the The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA)15 Canada” as “Indian, Inuit and Métis.” Government of Canada. Since then, represents all Métis in Alberta and This section also recognizes and the Métis Nation of Alberta along works to advance the socioeconomic affirms “existing Aboriginal and treaty with the Métis Nation of Ontario and and cultural well-being of the citizens rights.21 Métis Nation Saskatchewan have been they represent. The Métis Nation of working diligently on constitutions Alberta (MNA) comprises six regions The Powley decision (2003) was a that will eventually lead to a fully across the province, each with a case brought to the Supreme Court operational self-government. This will regional office. The provincial office is of Canada when two Métis brothers be the largest of its kind in Canada. located in Edmonton. harvested a moose and were charged with illegal hunting. They pled not • Region 1–Lac La Biche guilty and asserted their right to • Region 2–Bonnyville hunt for food under Section 35.22 The Supreme Court sided with the brothers • Region 3–Calgary and the case outlined what has now • Region 4–Edmonton become Métis harvesting rights in Canada (Powley Test).23 • Region 5–Slave Lake • Region 6–Peace River16 The Daniels decision (SCC 2016) concluded that Métis and nonstatus The Métis Nation of Alberta is Indians are “Indians” for the purposes governed by the Provincial Council, of Section 91(24) of the Constitution Act which consists of a provincial (1867).24 The practical implications of president, a provincial vice-president, the Daniels decision remain to be seen, and six regional presidents and vice- but experts agree that it is a landmark presidents, for a total of 14 members.17 decision.25 The Métis Nation of Alberta offers many programs and services to its citizens in the areas of health and social well-being. Affiliates of the Métis Nation of PHOTO COURTESY OF THE METIS CROSSING INTERPRETIVE CENTRE. USED WITH PERMISSION. Alberta were created MNA REGION 6 Lake and mandated to deliver Athabasca Métis Crossing, the first major Métis specific programs and cultural interpretive centre in Alberta. services. For example, PADDLE PRAIRIE Apeetogosan (Métis ) 18 MNA Development provides REGION 5 support to citizens seeking MNA NEXT STEPS REGION 1 GIFT entrepreneurial supports LAKE PEAVINE or business development; Lesser Slave Lake Rupertsland Institute EAST PRAIRIE »»» delivers education, training BUFFALO Nearly 37,000 Métis are and research supports; and LAKE KIKINO ELIZABETH registered as citizens of the Métis Crossing focuses on FISHING 26 MNA LAKE Métis Nation of Alberta, and 19 REGION 4 culture and tourism. in the 2016 census over 114,000 MNA In order to become a citizen REGION 2 Albertans self-identified as of the Métis Nation of Métis.27 Given the significant Alberta, individuals must population of Métis in Alberta, provide documentation it is incumbent upon educators to develop an understanding to the Métis Nation of MNA Alberta Registry that meets REGION 3 of the unique history, culture the requirements of the and experiences of the Métis. national definition of Métis. The journey of reconciliation is One of which is a completed inclusive of all three Indigenous family tree that clearly groups: First Nations, Inuit and outlines Métis ancestral Métis. By developing a deeper connection to the Métis understanding of the Métis in Homeland of the historic Alberta Métis settlements and Métis Nation of Alberta, educators are taking North-West.20 Alberta political regions. one more step along the journey of reconciliation. Stepping Stones | 16 | MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA 14. Métis Settlements General Council, https:// NOTES metissettlements.com/. 1. Library and Archives Canada (LAC), “Métis 15. Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA), http:// Nation,” www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal albertametis.com/.
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