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 |