Métis Nation of Alberta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Métis Nation of Alberta

Formation	1928; 97 years ago (1928)
Founder	Felice Callihoo, Joseph Dion, James P. Brady, Malcolm Norris, and Peter Tompkins.
Type	Not-for-profit
Headquarters	Delia Gray Building 11738 Kingsway Ave Edmonton, Alberta, T5G 0X5
Services	Métis representation
Membership (2024)	70,000
President	Andrea Sandmaier
Main organ	Citizens' Council
Affiliations	Métis National Council
Formerly called	Métis Association of Alberta

The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is a group in Alberta, Canada. It is a not-for-profit organization. The MNA speaks for Métis people in the province. It helps make sure their voices are heard.

The MNA started in 1928. It was first called the Métis Association of Alberta. Some of its main founders were Felice Callihoo, Joseph Dion, James P. Brady, Malcolm Norris, and Peter Tompkins.

The MNA is led by a President who is chosen by a vote. Andrea Sandmaier has been the President since 2023. There are also elected representatives for women and youth. The MNA has over 70,000 registered members.

Understanding the Métis Nation of Alberta

The Métis Nation of Alberta helps Métis people with many things. This includes finding jobs and supporting families. They also work on land agreements and protect the rights of Métis people. These rights are recognized in Canada's laws.

Alberta is special because it has eight Métis Settlements. These are lands set aside for Métis people by law. Many Métis Settlement members are also part of the MNA. Alberta has the largest number of Métis people in any Canadian province.

What is the Métis Nation?

The Métis Nation is a unique Indigenous group. Their homeland covers a large area in west-central North America. This includes parts of present-day Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. It also reaches into Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the northern United States.

By the early 1800s, the Métis Nation had developed its own identity. They had their own language, called Michif, and a special culture. They also had their own ways of governing themselves.

A Look at MNA History

Since the early 1900s, Métis people in Alberta have worked together. They formed groups to protect their rights and interests.

In 1928, the group that became the MNA was founded. It was first called the Association des Métis Alberta et les Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Later, it became the Métis Association of Alberta (MAA). This group was formed to help Métis people gain recognition for their self-government and rights.

Early Efforts for Métis Rights

In 1934, the MAA asked Alberta to look into Métis issues. The province then created the "Half-breed Commission." This group studied Métis health, education, housing, and land problems. MAA leaders attended these meetings often.

After two years, the Commission suggested that Alberta give Métis people secure land and good services. In 1938, Alberta passed the Métis Population Betterment Act. This law created 12 Métis colonies. However, four of these colonies were later taken back between 1941 and 1960.

Becoming an Official Organization

In 1961, the MAA became an officially registered organization. This happened because governments started offering money to Indigenous groups. But they needed these groups to be officially registered to get the funds. The MAA leaders chose to register. This helped them manage their work and get support for Métis self-government.

In 1975, another group called the Alberta Federation of Metis Settlements Association (FMS) was formed. It aimed to give the remaining Métis colonies a single voice. The FMS worked with the Government of Alberta. They wanted more political, cultural, social, and economic growth on the eight Métis colonies.

Important Agreements and Laws

These discussions led to the Alberta-Metis Settlements Accord in 1989. The next year, Alberta passed the Metis Settlements Act. This law gave the Metis Settlements General Council (MSGC) full ownership of the lands. This was for the benefit of all Métis in Alberta.

The MNA keeps a list of its members. This list is checked and supported by the Canadian government. The government is responsible for Métis people under Canada's laws. Métis Nation members live both on and off the Métis Settlements. Being a member of a Métis Settlement does not automatically mean someone is a Métis Nation citizen.

On November 16, 2017, the MNA and Canada signed an agreement. This agreement started talks about self-government for the Métis Nation in Alberta. On June 27, 2019, they signed another agreement. This one recognized the MNA as the government of the Métis Nation within Alberta. It also set a path for this recognition to become official in Canadian law.

Recent Challenges and a New Constitution

In 2020, some local groups left the MNA. They started a new group called the Alberta Metis Federation. This happened during a disagreement between the MNA and the Manitoba Metis Federation.

In December 2022, MNA members voted to approve their own constitution. It is called the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution. This document's legality has been questioned in court.

On February 24, 2023, the MNA signed another agreement with the Government of Canada. This was the Métis Nation Within Alberta Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement. This agreement has also faced legal challenges.

How the MNA is Organized

The Métis Nation of Alberta is led by a President. Andrea Sandmaier is the current President. There are also elected representatives for women and youth. These are Tai Amy Grauman (Women's Representative) and Rebecca Lavallee (Youth Representative).

The MNA also has 22 Citizens' Representatives and District Captains. These are chosen by people in different regions. Together with the President, Women's Representative, and Youth Representative, they form the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

The MNA has different departments. These departments handle things like jobs, child services, land agreements, and Métis rights. Each department has a Secretary. These Secretaries are part of the Citizens' Council. They meet with government officials and other important groups.

Provincially Elected Leaders

MNA Districts and Representatives

The MNA is divided into 22 areas across Alberta. Each area has its own Citizens' Representative and District Captain.

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government Cabinet

This is a list of the leaders in the MNA's government.

Métis Settlements General Council

The Métis of Alberta are the only Métis in Canada with their own land base. This land was given to them by law. There are eight Métis Settlements. They cover a large area of about 1,400,000 acres (5,700 km2). The land was officially granted in 1990. It is owned by the community through the Métis Settlements General Council. This Council is the main governing body for the Métis Territories.

The Eight Métis Settlements

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