Métis People in Canada
The Métis people are a distinct nation with their own language, culture, and traditions. For information on Métis identity visit Indigenous Foundations. All Métis settlements in Canada are located in Alberta. See the following resources for more information:
- Government of Alberta - Key Dates: The Métis in AlbertaTimeline of Métis history beginning in 1928 (in PDF format).
- Métis National CouncilSince 1983, the Métis National Council has represented the Métis Nation nationally and internationally. It receives its mandate and direction from the democratically elected leadership of the Métis Nation’s governments from Ontario westward.
- Women of the Métis NationBy motion of the Métis National Council, Women of the Métis Nation was been created to enable Métis Women to take an active role within Metis Nation governance.
- Canadian Encyclopedia - MétisIntroduction to Métis communities in Canada.
- Library & Archives Canada - Métis NationResources for genealogy and family history, databases, and finding archival materials.
Métis Settlements of Alberta
(Métis Settlements Flag retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metis_Settlements_Flag.gif)
The Métis Settlements Act of 1990 established the current eight settlements in Alberta. An online copy of the act, current as of June 1, 2015, is available here. There are eight Métis settlements in Canada, all of which are located in Alberta, including:
- Paddle Prairie
- Peavine
- Gift Lake
- East Prairie
- Buffalo Lake
- Kikino
- Elizabeth
- Fishing Lake
Each settlement has an elected Settlement Council. All eight councils make up the Métis Settlements General Council (MSGC).
- Canadian Encyclopedia - Métis SettlementsIntroduction to Métis settlements within the context of Canadian history.
- Métis Settlements General CouncilMétis Settlements General Council (MSGC) is the governing body for Métis Settlements. See their newsletter the Messenger (published quarterly) for news updates beginning in Spring 2016.
- Alberta Indigenous Relations - Welcome to the Métis Settlements Land RegistryThe registry, membership list, and land interests found on this website are maintained by the Government of Alberta.
- Alberta Indigenous Relations - Métis SettlementsInformation on the Métis settlements in Alberta, with a focus on political bodies and organization, as well as community initiatives.
- Canadian Geographic - Exploring Alberta’s eight Métis settlementsBrief article published November 13, 2017.
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada - Métis RightsInformation about Métis rights in Canada, informed by two Supreme Court decisions: the Daniels Decision and the Powley Decision.
- Alberta-Métis Settlements AccordDigitized copy of the Settlements Accord (June 3, 1985).
Métis in the North
In the Yukon
- Whitehorse Star - Landmark Métis decision may affect Yukon caseNewspaper article published March 13, 2013. "Ross River filed suit against Ottawa in 2005 and 2006, claiming the federal government was obligated under the Order of 1870 to settle the interests of the aboriginal people in the Yukon before making land available to others."
- Whitehorse Star - Métis decision ‘very, very exciting news’Newspaper article published April 20, 2016. "Last week’s Supreme Court of Canada decision upholding aboriginal rights for non-status Indians and Métis will have a major impact in the Yukon."
- CBC - Yukon Métis not recognized by federal government, group claimsNewspaper article published January 22, 2009. "The head of the Yukon Métis Nation Society says the federal government is still failing to acknowledge the organization as the official representatives of the territory's Métis two decades after it was formed."
In the Northwest Territories
- Northwest Territory Métis NationThe Northwest Territory Métis Nation (NWTMN), formerly the South Slave Métis Council, represents the Métis of the South Slave region.
- Northwest Territory Métis Nation - Land/Resource NegotiationsIn 1996, the NWTMN signed the Framework Agreement to commence negotiations on land, resources, and self-government. In 2015, they signed the Agreement-in-Principle on land and resource matters. Digital copies of the Framework Agreement and Interim Measures Agreement are available here.
- Government of Northwest Territories - Northwest Territory Métis Nation NegotiationsOverview, FAQ, and documents relevant to the negotiations between the NWTMN, the Government of Canada, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
- North Slave Métis Alliance"The North Slave Métis Alliance represents the Aboriginal rights-bearing Métis people of the Great Slave Lake area, Northwest Territories, who primarily exercise and assert their Aboriginal rights in the region north and east of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories."
- CBC - 'Huge victory' for North Slave Métis Alliance in court battle with gov'ts, says presidentNewspaper article published October 20, 2017. "A federal court judge ruled Thursday that both governments failed to properly consult the North Slave Métis Alliance — one of two existing Métis groups in the N.W.T. — while negotiating a land claim with the other Métis group."
Selected Resources & Media
Métis Rights by Thomas Isaac
A. Introduction
B. Who are the Métis?
C. Métis rights
D. Federal developments
E. Provincial and territorial developments
F. Conclusion
Click for more in-depth table of contents.
Indian Reserves and Aboriginal Lands in Canada: a Homeland: a Study in Law and History by Richard H. Bartlett
This comprehensive study of the law and history of land claims of Indian, Metis and Inuit peoples in Canada traces the development of the law from early settlement to current concerns and includes a table of cases and a table of authorities.
The Forgotten People: Métis and Non-Status Indian Land Claims
Published by Ottawa Native Council of Canada 1979. Métis history, law and legistlation, and land claims.
Select Annotated Bibliography on Metis History and Claims by D. Madill.
"Until recently, most Canadians associated the Métis with Louis Riel's activities in Red River and the District of Saskatchewan. Over the past decade regional history has enjoyed a revival and a new generation of historians has substantially enriched the literature on western history in general and Métis historiography in particular. The removal from London to Winnipeg of the Hudson's Bay Company's rich archival sources in 1974 has enabled historians to re-examine Métis history and move forward to a wider range of topics and disciplines."--Introduction