MacEwan Joint Metis-Government Committee (1982-1984)
In 1982, members of the MacEwan Joint Métis/Government Committee were
charged with the heady task of reviewing the Métis Betterment Act. This
committee's two-year review and subsequent recommendations, especially
regarding Métis settlement policies, had a far-reaching influence. When
Dr. Grant MacEwan submitted the committee's 1984 report to the Mr.
Koziak, Minister of Municipal Affairs, he wrote in his cover letter. "We
have drawn together many ideas, some of them conflicting, some of which
need to be evaluated in terms of the Government's position towards all
Métis people in the Province both on and off Settlements. … We trust
that you and your colleagues in the Provincial Government will accept
the challenge to support the legitimate ambitions of the Settlements and
encourage the Settlements in turn to benefit from their opportunities."
The MacEwan Committee was decidedly concerned about the paternal
nature of the 1938 Métis Betterment Act. They tried to ensure that any
proposals for a new Act would directly place social, political,
economic, and cultural responsibilities with the Settlements. The
Committee also identified Education, Culture, Social Services and
Community Health, and Energy and Natural Resources as topic areas that
required policy review. The advantage the MacEwan Committee had was that
they were working in a political climate that constitutionally and
legitimately recognized Métis as an aboriginal people. Additionally,
Canada's new constitution required that the First Ministers hold a
series of conferences to define the scope and content of aboriginal
rights.
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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 |