The Metis in Alberta 13 Settlements

The Metis in Alberta

• 13 Settlements

• - Metis Pop. Betterment Act, 1938

• -Only Metis in Canada to have own land base. (Imp. For Self-Govt.)

• Population Size: 51K (1996 census)

• More than in any other prov. (c.f. Sask @ 37K; Man. @ 46K; BC @ 26K)

• More assimilated & integrated than First Nation individuals – e.g., more urban

• Less nationalistic ideology

• Political Representation

• Metis Nation of Alberta
• Much intense politicking

• 1990Statutes

• $310 million for econ. dvlpm.t. & self-govt., in lieu of a land claim ( raids by govt in 1982)
• Establishes a base for self-government on 8 settlements.
• No mineral rights granted.

The 1990 Legislation for the Metis

• Bill 33

• Metis Settlemts Accord Implementn Act

• Bill 34

• Metis Settlements Land Protection Act

• Bill 35

• Metis Settlements Act

• Bill 36

• Constit’n of Alta. Amendment Act (1990)

• The 8 Metis Settlements covered by the legislation are:

• Settlement Area Population

• Buffalo Lake & Kikino 4417

• East Prairie, Gift Lake, & Peavine 5845

• Paddle Prairie 4217

• Elizabeth & Fishing Lake 9473

Bill 33: Metis Settlements Accord Implementation Act

• 5 Principles

• co-operation; self-sufficiency; local govt autonomy; equity with other local govts; political respect

• Transfers $309 million over next 17 years to implement the Metis Settlements Act

Bill 34: Metis Settlements Land Protection Act

• Purpose:

• To prevent another scrip fiasco (scrip exchangeable for cash or land was bought up by unscrupulous traders), by specifying conditions for Metis land tenure

• Alienation of Settlement Land (Fee Simple title)

• - Only with permission of the Crown and by majority vote of all members of that settlement and of all Metis settlements

• - Settlement land may not be mortgaged.

• Mineral Exploration Permitted

• - Only with consent of the settlement council and the General Council

Bill 36: Constitution of Alberta Amendment Act, 1990

• Entrenches aspects of the other 3 statutes in the constitution of Alberta and thereby in the Constitution of Canada

• e.g., the Legislature may not amend or repeal the Metis Settlements Land Protection Act without the agreement of the Metis Settlements General Council and

• Any bill to amend or repeal this statute requires a plebiscite of Metis settlement members and majority approval must be obtained in each settlement

• On blank side of card, please write in upper right hand corner the letter grade which you would give this course, taking into consideration syllabus, readings, class sessions, and assignments

• Then, comment on how this course could be improved.