Home >> The People and Their Communities >> Issues and Challenges: 20th Century >> Metis Settlements Accord Adopted (1989)

Following a referendum, the Alberta-Métis Settlement Accord was executed on the 1 July1989, by Premier Getty and Randy Hardy, the president of the Federation of Métis Settlements. The Accord included components of Resolution 18, Bills 64, which contained provisions concerning ownership and allocation of Métis lands, and Bill 65, which addressed transfer of title of the entire settlement area to General Council, and issues pertaining to title, disposition and expropriation. The Accord also included a proposed agreement on financial assistance and resource management, and an agreement to establish a temporary commission (the Métis Settlements Transition Commission) to oversee the implementation of the Accord. Importantly, the Accord resolved litigation between the province and the Federation. The provincial government would allot $310 million over a period of 17 years to support governance and operation of the settlements.

Not all the settlements, particularly Paddle Prairie were pleased the Accord. They felt the Federation did not negotiate in Paddle Prairies' best interest. They believed revenue, that their settlement generated, should go to their trust fund. They also felt that policy making should rest with the settlement councils, and that title should be with the individual settlements. Membership and land use was also a contentious issue. In fact, Paddle Prairie council voted to withdraw from the Federation. A referendum was held in January 1990 with 119 Paddle Prairie members voting to stay with the Federation and 86 voting to withdraw from the Federation. Bills 33, 34, 35, and 36 were introduced to the Legislative Assembly in relation to implementing the Accord.

In 1990, the Alberta government enacted the Métis Settlements Land Protection Act, Métis Settlements Act (MSA), Métis Settlement Accord Act, and the Constitution of Alberta Amendment Act. With the signing of the Accord in 1990, the Alberta Federation of Métis Settlements was renamed Métis Settlements General Council.

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Metis Association of Alberta (1932)

Ewing Commission (1934-1936)

The Metis Betterment Act (1938)

The Alberta Federation of Metis Settlements Formed (1973)

MacEwan Joint Metis-Government Committee
(1982-1984)

Resolution 18 Incorporated (1985)

Metis Settlements Accord Adopted (1989)

Metis Settlements General Council

Metis Rights: Regina vs. Powley

Who Are Metis?

Harvesting Rights for Alberta's Metis