Home >> The People and Their Communities >> Issues and Challenges: 20th Century >> Resolution 18 Incorporated (1985)

The Premier of Alberta, Peter Lougheed, felt that Métis issues should be resolved through provincial, not federal initiatives. While over the years the Métis settlements and the Province had strong differences, the MacEwan report provided recommendations that would help the Métis achieve self-government.

The Alberta government and the Federation of Métis Settlements took a "made in Alberta" approach that would provide a constitutionally protected land base and provide democratic criteria for land allocation and membership to Métis settlements. Through an amendment to the Alberta Act, Métis settlement lands were protected. In 1985, the Alberta Legislative Assembly incorporated Resolution 18. The Resolution called for transfer of settlement lands to the existing eight Métis settlement associations. Transfer was subject to reservation of mines and minerals to the province.

Following Resolution 18, the Federation of Métis Settlements undertook developing criteria for landholding systems and self-government. Powers of the General Council and the settlement councils and the accessibility of membership to the settlements had to be resolved. With the assistance of the MacEwan report and Resolution 18, further negotiations, debates, delays, and proposals occurred between the Alberta government and the Federation.

SIDE BAR: For an excellent detailed history of Alberta government and Métis legislative activities, please refer to Alberta's Métis Settlements Legislation, An Overview of Ownership and Management of Settlement Lands, by Catherine E. Bell.

[Top] [Back]

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