The Metis in Alberta

1
The Metis in Alberta

• 13 Settlements
• - Metis Pop. Betterment Act, 1938
• -Only Metis in Canada to have own land base.
  (Imp. For Self-Govt.)
• Population Size 51K (1996 census)
• More than in any other prov. (c.f.
  Sask _at_ 37K Man. _at_ 46K BC _at_ 26K)
• More assimilated integrated than First Nation
  individuals e.g., more urban
• Less nationalistic ideology
• Political Representation
• Metis Nation of Alberta
• Much intense politicking
• 1990Statutes
• 310 million for econ. dvlpm.t. self-govt., in
  lieu of a land claim ( raids by govt in 1982)
• Establishes a base for self-government on 8
  settlements.
• No mineral rights granted.

2
The 1990 Legislation for the Metis

• Bill 33
• Metis Settlemts Accord Implementn Act
• Bill 34
• Metis Settlements Land Protection Act
• Bill 35
• Metis Settlements Act
• Bill 36
• Constitn of Alta. Amendment Act (1990)
• The 8 Metis Settlements covered by the
  legislation are
• Settlement Area Population
• Buffalo Lake Kikino 4417
• East Prairie, Gift Lake, Peavine 5845
• Paddle Prairie 4217
• Elizabeth Fishing Lake 9473

3
Bill 33 Metis Settlements Accord Implementation
Act

• 5 Principles
• co-operation self-sufficiency local govt
  autonomy equity with other local govts
  political respect
• Transfers 309 million over next 17 years to
  implement the Metis Settlements Act

4
Bill 34 Metis Settlements Land Protection Act

• Purpose
• To prevent another scrip fiasco (scrip
  exchangeable for cash or land was bought up by
  unscrupulous traders), by specifying conditions
  for Metis land tenure
• Alienation of Settlement Land (Fee Simple title)
• - Only with permission of the Crown and by
  majority vote of all members of that settlement
  and of all Metis settlements
• - Settlement land may not be mortgaged.
• Mineral Exploration Permitted
• - Only with consent of the settlement council
  and the General Council

5
Bill 36 Constitution of Alberta Amendment Act,
1990

• Entrenches aspects of the other 3 statutes in the
  constitution of Alberta and thereby in the
  Constitution of Canada
• e.g., the Legislature may not amend or repeal
  the Metis Settlements Land Protection Act without
  the agreement of the Metis Settlements General
  Council and
• Any bill to amend or repeal this statute
  requires a plebiscite of Metis settlement members
  and majority approval must be obtained in each
  settlement

6

• On blank side of card, please write in upper
  right hand corner the letter grade which you
  would give this course, taking into consideration
  syllabus, readings, class sessions, and
  assignments
• Then, comment on how this course could be
  improved.