Home >> The People and Their Communities >> Issues and Challenges: 20th Century >> MacEwanJoint 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