Developed by Métis Capital Housing Corporation (MCHC) in partnership with the City of Edmonton, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Pishkayhta Home features six units of second-stage transitional housing intended to help residents move from emergency shelters toward stable housing in a safe and supportive environment.

“Every Métis woman, child, and family deserves to feel safe, supported, and connected to their community,” said President Andrea Sandmaier. “The official opening of the Pishkayhta Home represents an important investment in the well-being of our Citizens. By bringing culturally grounded housing and support services together, we are helping create a pathway for Métis women and families to move beyond crisis toward greater stability, security, and a stronger future.”

The facility includes dedicated staff and programming space on the ground floor, allowing for counselling, children’s play, family gatherings, shared meals, and other programming to support residents as they rebuild their lives. Once operational, staff will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide assistance and support as needed.

Residents will be referred to the Pishkayhta Home through the Métis Capital Housing Corporation’s Reaching Home Program as well as the emergency shelters across Alberta. Residents are anticipated to stay for approximately six months on average, providing time to access supports, establish stability, and plan for their next steps.

All six units are spacious two-bedroom homes, with rents set at 32.3 percent of the average market rental rate for a 40-year period. The project combines affordable housing with dedicated spaces for support services and community connection, recognizing that stable housing is essential to helping people move forward after experiencing violence.

“Access to safe, affordable housing is fundamental to building stability and strengthening families,” said Valerie Quintal, Provincial Secretary of Housing & Infrastructure for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. “The official opening of the Pishkayhta Home marks an important milestone in advancing housing solutions that respond to the needs of Métis women and families. By combining affordable housing with culturally grounded supports, this project helps create pathways to safety, dignity, and long-term stability for our Citizens.”

The official opening marks an important milestone in collaborative efforts to address housing needs and support Métis women and families fleeing violence. Through the partnership between Métis Capital Housing Corporation, and CMHC, the Pishkayhta Home will provide a culturally grounded approach to transitional housing that recognizes the importance of cultural connection, community, and comprehensive support services.

Media Contact:
Kenny Trenton, Press Secretary
Otipemisiwak Métis Government
ktrenton@metis.org

The post Otipemisiwak Métis Government to Celebrate Official Opening of the Pishkayhta Home Transitional Housing Project appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

On behalf of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and Métis Citizens across Alberta, we extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and fellow service members of those who have lost their lives. We are praying for everyone who was injured, their loved ones, and for the entire Wainwright community. 

Wainwright sits in the St. Paul-Cold Lake Métis District, long connected to Métis families and home to many Métis Citizens today. Our people also have a long and proud history of service in Canada’s Armed Forces. Those who wear the uniform accept responsibilities and risks on behalf of all of us. We owe them, and the families who stand behind them, our enduring gratitude. 

Flags at all Otipemisiwak Métis Government buildings will be flown at half-mast, and our Emergency Preparedness team continues to monitor the situation as the fire is being held. 

To the military and civilian first responders who rushed toward danger, and to the doctors, nurses, paramedics, and healthcare professionals in Wainwright, Edmonton, and across Alberta and Saskatchewan who continue caring for the injured today: marsii.  

Your courage, skill and compassion are carrying people through an unimaginable time. 

To those looking for ways to help, please consider donating blood by visiting www.blood.ca to find a donation centre near you. In the days ahead, we will share more information about other ways to support the service members impacted and their military families.  

May the families who are grieving be surrounded by love and strength. May those who are injured find healing. May everyone touched by this tragedy be held close in prayer. 

The Métis Nation within Alberta stands with Wainwright, with the Canadian Armed Forces, and with all those affected. 

The post Statement from President Sandmaier, Provincial Secretary Leddy, Provincial Secretary Wolfe, District Captain Poitras, and Provincial Secretary Collins on the tragedy at CFB Wainwright appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

The Persons Case is often remembered as a defining moment in the advancement of women’s rights in Canada. But this history is more complicated than a story of progress. The legal recognition of some women as “persons” was an important change in Canadian law, but it did not mean that all women experienced equality or had an equal voice in public and political life. The ability to participate in an electoral system or hold public office is only one part of having a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape our lives and communities.

We must also be honest about the broader context surrounding the Persons Case. Some of the women associated with the Famous Five held racist and eugenic beliefs and supported policies that caused profound harm to marginalized communities, including through forced sterilization that disproportionally affected Indigenous women. These realities are an important part of this history and remind us that the advancement of rights has not always been inclusive, and that the history of women’s equality in Canada must be understood in its full complexity.

For Métis women, this reflection also calls attention to the strength and leadership that has existed within our Nation for generations. Métis women have been leaders, caregivers, entrepreneurs, educators, artists, Knowledge Keepers, advocates, and community builders. They have helped carry our culture, families, and communities forward, often without receiving the recognition they deserved.

Today, Métis women continue to contribute to the strength and future of our Nation in countless ways. Their voices and experiences belong in our families, our communities, our institutions, and our government.

Persons Day gives us an opportunity to look critically at how rights have been defined and whose voices have been included in Canada’s history. It asks us to consider who was included in moments of progress, who was left behind, and what meaningful equality requires today.

As we reflect today, we should remember that recognition is not the same as equality, and that progress is not complete simply because a legal barrier has been removed. Our work is to ensure that Métis women are heard, respected, represented, and supported, and that future generations of Métis women and girls have meaningful opportunities to participate, lead, and shape the future of our Nation.

On Persons Day, we reflect on the history that brought us here, the women whose contributions have shaped our Nation, and the work that remains.

Gabrielle Blatz

Secretary of Women, Gender Equity, and Inclusivity

The post Persons Day 2026 appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

In her article, President Sandmaier discusses the upcoming Alberta referendum, the role the Métis played in building Canada, and the importance of continuing to respect and recognize the Métis Nation within Alberta as Section 35 rights holders.

Want to learn more? You can read President Sandmaier’s article at EdmontonJournal.com

The post Alberta Voices: The Métis helped build Alberta and have a stake in its future appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Provincial Secretary Spotlight: Joe Chodzicki

For Provincial Secretary of Citizenship & Registry Joe Chodzicki, serving the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is deeply personal. Born and raised in High Prairie, Joe’s Métis roots run through his mother, Margaret Laboucan, to the Erasmus-Nooseky family of Whitefish Lake.

Today, Joe is based in Red Deer, where he also continues to serve as the Citizens’ Representative for the Red Deer Métis District. After a 12-year career with the City of Red Deer, he is now focused on strengthening Métis governance and serving Citizens across the province.

At the heart of his Cabinet role is one of the Métis Nation within Alberta’s most important responsibilities: protecting the integrity of the Register of Citizens.

Secretary Chodzicki is working to ensure the Register of Citizens continues to meet the rigorous standards that have been developed over more than two decades, while also looking for ways to modernize and strengthen the system for the future.

That work includes ensuring the records of deceased Citizens are respectfully transitioned from the active Registry to a memorial list, while encouraging families to provide updated information so that records remain accurate and current.

He has also been advocating for greater recognition of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government citizenship card. Joe has begun outreach to the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction to discuss having the Otipemisiwak Métis Government citizenship card recognized as primary identification in Alberta, which is an important step toward making it easier for Citizens to access services and have their citizenship recognized.

Looking ahead, Secretary Chodzicki is also having important conversations around adoption and citizenship. These discussions raise complex questions about identity, belonging, and citizenship, and Joe believes they need to be approached carefully and thoughtfully, with the perspectives of Citizens and communities at the centre.

His work extends beyond the Registry itself. Joe has built relationships with municipal leaders and community organizations, including the mayors of Edmonton and Red Deer and the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce. Through these relationships, he brings a Métis perspective to conversations happening in communities across the province.

But for Joe, some of the most important work happens one conversation at a time.

Accessibility is a priority in his approach to public service. He makes himself available to Citizens and takes pride in returning every call and email. Whether someone has a question about citizenship, needs help navigating an issue, or simply wants to be heard, Joe believes in making the time to listen.

And if he doesn’t have the answer right away, he makes it his responsibility to find it.
That connection with Citizens is what Joe says he finds most rewarding about his role. Behind every policy, record, and process is a person and a family whose connection to the Métis Nation matters.

Through his work as Provincial Secretary of Citizenship & Registry, Joe Chodzicki is helping protect that connection by strengthening the integrity of the Nation’s records while ensuring Citizens have a voice, a point of contact, and someone committed to helping them find answers.

For Joe, it all comes back to service: knowing where we come from, protecting that history, and making sure the Métis Nation remains connected to its Citizens for generations to come.

The post Secretary Spotlight: Joe Chodzicki appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Voters will receive 10 separate ballot questions covering Alberta’s place in Canada, immigration, access to provincial programs, and proposed changes to the Canadian Constitution.

Questions 1 through 9 are yes-or-no questions. Question 10 asks voters to choose between Alberta remaining a province of Canada and the Government of Alberta beginning the legal process required to hold a binding referendum on separation. The results of all 10 questions are non-binding.

For Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, there is a great deal to consider.

Our government has been clear that we believe our future is in Canada.

The Métis Nation existed in our Homeland long before the creation of Alberta and before Canadian Confederation. Our people helped build the communities, economies, and institutions that eventually became this province and this country.

We are also one of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada whose existing Aboriginal Rights are recognized and affirmed under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

That is important to understand as Albertans consider questions about changing our province’s relationship with Canada.

What does section 35 mean for Métis Citizens?

Section 35 provides constitutional protection for the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

For Métis, that includes rights connected to our historic communities, traditional territories, and practices such as harvesting. These are not rights that the Province of Alberta simply granted to Métis Citizens, nor can a provincial government simply decide they no longer exist.

It also means governments have constitutional obligations when decisions could adversely affect Indigenous rights.

We saw how significant those obligations are earlier this year. In May, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench quashed Elections Alberta’s approval of a citizen-initiated separation petition. The Court found that the Government of Alberta owed a duty to consult and had failed to discharge that duty. The province appealed the decision.

The larger point for Métis Citizens to remember is that a change to Alberta’s constitutional relationship with Canada would not erase existing Indigenous rights or allow the province to simply ignore its constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples.

Our Homeland also extends beyond Alberta’s present-day borders. Métis communities, families, and traditional territories have never been confined to the boundaries of one province. Questions about Alberta’s constitutional future therefore intersect with rights, relationships, and a Métis Homeland that existed long before those provincial boundaries were drawn.

This is why the Otipemisiwak Métis Government has consistently said that Indigenous governments cannot be treated as an afterthought in conversations about Alberta’s future.

What are the other nine questions?

While much of the public conversation has focused on separation, Citizens should know that nine other questions will also appear on the ballot.

Questions 1 through 5 ask whether Alberta should take greater control over immigration, restrict eligibility for certain provincially funded programs based on immigration status, impose a 12-month residency requirement for some temporary residents to receive social supports, charge some temporary residents fees or premiums for health care and education, and require proof of Canadian citizenship to vote in provincial elections.

Questions 6 through 9 ask whether Alberta should work with other willing provinces to pursue amendments to the Canadian Constitution concerning the appointment of judges, abolition of the Senate, provincial ability to opt out of certain federal programs without losing associated federal funding, and giving provincial laws priority over federal laws in certain areas of provincial or shared jurisdiction.

These are significant questions, and some could have implications for the relationship between Indigenous governments and the provincial and federal Crowns.

Citizens are encouraged to read the full wording of each question before voting. Elections Alberta has published all 10 questions on its referendum page.

Read all 10 referendum questions from Elections Alberta

How To Vote

Referendum Election Day is Monday, October 19, 2026. Advance voting will take place from October 13 to 17. On Election Day, voters must vote at the voting location assigned according to their ordinary residence but during advance voting, electors may vote at any advance voting location in their electoral division.

Citizens can find their voting location using Elections Alberta’s Where to Vote tool.

Find where to vote

You will also need identification.

One important thing for our Citizens to know is that your Otipemisiwak Métis Government citizenship card is an accepted form of secondary identification for voting. Elections Alberta also lists Métis Nation of Alberta citizenship cards among its accepted forms of ID.

When using the two-piece ID option, both pieces must contain your full name and at least one must show your current physical address. Alternatively, voters can use one piece of government-issued photo identification containing their full name, current address and photo.

See Elections Alberta’s full list of accepted identification

Make Your Voice Heard

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government recognizes that our Citizens hold diverse political views. Our responsibility is to make sure Citizens understand what is being asked, how these questions could affect our Nation and the rights we hold, and how to participate.

Métis people have lived in and helped build this country for generations. We have fought hard to have our rights recognized and our voices heard within Canada.

October 19 is another opportunity to make that voice heard.

Learn about the questions. Understand what they could mean for our rights. And vote.

The post Alberta’s October 19 Referendum: What Métis Citizens Need to Know appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Creating that space means investing in the foundations that allow girls to thrive. From safe and stable housing for mothers and families to accessible supports that strengthen education, literacy, cultural connection, and well-being. It means ensuring Métis girls have opportunities to deepen their connection to who they are and where they come from, while having the educational resources, supports, and encouragement to pursue their aspirations.

When girls have a strong foundation and a sense of belonging, they can recognize their own potential and see themselves as leaders in their families, communities, and Nation.

When we invest in girls, we are investing in the women, leaders, mothers, aunties, and matriarchs they will become. Raising future matriarchs means nurturing girls who know their worth, carry their culture forward, and have the confidence to create a future shaped by their own voices and vision.

On International Day of the Girl Child, we celebrate the strength, creativity, and potential of Métis girls across our communities. We recommit ourselves to building a future where every girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, belong, and thrive, and where she is empowered to become the woman and matriarch she chooses to be.

Gabrielle Blatz
Secretary of Women, Gender Equity, and Inclusivity

Rebecca Lavallee
Secretary of Youth and Sport

The post International Day of the Girl Child Statement appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

“On behalf of Citizens’ Council and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, I’m excited to welcome Derrick and Katelynn to their new roles,” said President Andrea Sandmaier. “Both have stepped up to serve the Métis Nation Within Alberta, and I’m glad to have them on board.”

The Ombudsman falls under the Ombudsman Act, while the Judicial Tribunal is governed by the Judicial Branch Act.

Biographies

Katelynn Witts

Katelynn Witts is a Métis woman, born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She completed her post-secondary studies at the University of Alberta where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with distinction in 2013 and a Juris Doctor in 2019. During law school, Katelynn spent most of her time in executive roles with the Indigenous Law Students’ Association and Student Legal Services of Edmonton. Katelynn has been a member of the Law Society of Alberta since June 2020. She has experience as a criminal defence lawyer and now practices as a federal Crown prosecutor.

Over the last 15 years, Katelynn has been employed and volunteering with a variety of organizations, including the Elizabeth Fry Society, SACE, CEASE, Edmonton Police Service, Court of King’s Bench, Norquest College, Lethbridge Polytechnic, and Youth Leaders in Law.

Her education and experience have fueled her passion for advocating for those who are marginalized and led her to a career in justice. She is passionate about reducing barriers to justice for Indigenous Peoples and is eager to be involved as the Otipemisiwak Métis Government continues to make strides in Indigenous self-governance. Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her plants and working on her baking skills.

Derrick Campbell

Derrick Campbell joins the Otipemiswak Métis Government as Ombudsman with more than 27 years of experience in investigative work and public oversight.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the King’s University College and spent much of his career with the Calgary Police Service, where he built a strong foundation in evidence-based analysis, fair process, and accountability. His subsequent work with the Police Review Commission further developed his ability to review citizen concerns and conduct impartial investigations.

Derrick’s background gives him a practical understanding of both frontline service delivery and independent oversight. He is known for his thoughtful, balanced approach to resolving difficult issues and his commitment to ensuring people are treated fairly and respectfully throughout any review process.

In addition to his professional experience, Derrick has contributed to community as the Sergeant at Arms for the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. In this role, he supported institutional protocols while learning about the advancement of Métis self-government.

As Ombudsman, Derrick brings a clear focus on fairness, transparency, and constructive resolution. His work is guided by a commitment to strengthening trust in public systems and ensuring that concerns are heard and addressed with trauma-informed care.

The post Otipemisiwak Métis Government welcomes a new Ombudsman and a new Judicial Tribunal member appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

McMurray Métis, in partnership with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, celebrated the opening of Living Patterns: Métis Stories & Craftsmanship on September 17 at Jubilee Gallery in Fort McMurray.

Featuring the work of 11 McMurray Métis Citizens, the exhibition celebrates Métis identity, family traditions, and the artistry passed down through generations. From intricate beadwork and handmade moccasins to sewing, painting and photography, each piece tells a story of family, identity and the knowledge that continues to be shared across generations.

Some pieces were originally created as treasured gifts for family members, while others reflect the practical skills and artistic traditions that have long been part of Métis life. Together, they demonstrate how craftsmanship preserves family histories and strengthens connections between generations.

A Celebration of Métis Resilience and Reconciliation

During her opening remarks, McMurray Métis District Captain Kelly Myers reflected on the significance of seeing Métis artwork, craftsmanship and treasured family heirlooms proudly displayed in a government building, particularly during the National Month for Truth and Reconciliation.

“There were generations when embracing our identity and proudly wearing our regalia did not feel safe. There is something truly monumental about standing here tonight and seeing Métis art, craftsmanship and family treasures proudly displayed inside a government building. This is reconciliation in action.”

Kelly spoke about the resilience of Métis people and the important role artists play in preserving cultural identity, honouring those who came before us and ensuring future generations can carry those traditions forward.

Her message also captured the vision behind the future McMurray Métis Cultural Centre, a place where Citizens can see themselves and their families reflected, where artists have a platform to share their work, and where cultural knowledge continues to be passed from one generation to the next.

“The Cultural Centre may not have opened its doors yet, but what will fill those doors is already here. Our stories are here. Our artists are here. Our teachings are here. We are still here. We are regrowing. We are blossoming. And we are carrying it all forward.”

Her words captured the significance of Living Patterns: more than an art exhibition, it is a celebration of Métis identity, cultural continuity and the future the community is building together.

Eight Months of Collaboration

The exhibition is the result of eight months of collaboration between Ana Maria Mendez, Programs and Facilities Manager with the McMurray Métis Cultural Centre, and Stacey Grant, McMurray Métis Citizen and owner of Freyja’s Haven and Studio 516.

As co-curators, Mendez and Grant worked closely with participating artists to understand the stories behind their pieces and create an exhibition that honours both the craftsmanship and the people who carry these traditions forward.

Beyond the opening celebration, Living Patterns is creating opportunities for the next generation to engage with Métis culture. Five school groups are scheduled to tour the exhibition and participate in hands-on workshops supported by McMurray Métis Citizens Lou-Ann Demers-Noble, Lucas Punko, Kayla Aikins and Shelley Paulin.

These experiences will introduce students to the stories, skills and traditions represented in the exhibition while providing opportunities to learn directly from Métis artists and knowledge holders.

A Glimpse of the Future McMurray Métis Cultural Centre

Living Patterns offers an early glimpse of the vision for the McMurray Métis Cultural Centre, a dedicated home where Métis Citizens will have opportunities to share their talents, preserve cultural knowledge and see their families and histories represented.

The future Centre will provide space for artists to exhibit their work, Elders and knowledge holders to share their teachings, and younger generations to learn traditional skills. It will also welcome visitors from across the region and beyond to experience Métis culture through exhibitions, storytelling and cultural programming.

The exhibition demonstrates that the foundation for this future cultural destination already exists within the McMurray Métis community: its artists, its stories and the knowledge being passed from one generation to the next.

McMurray Métis extends its gratitude to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for its partnership and to the participating artists and families for sharing their work and personal histories.

Experience Living Patterns In Person
On display until October 30, 2026
Jubilee Gallery, Fort McMurray, Alberta
or Online Living Patterns Exhibition

Stay connected with the Cultural Centre

Follow the latest developments at the future McMurray Métis Cultural Centre.

Meet the 11 Featured Métis Artists:

• Carmen Wells
• Crystal Lee Clark
• Kayla Aikins
• Mandy Wills
• Mary Bourque-Irla
• Samantha Bacon-Quintal
• Melissa Redden
• Paulette Bulley
• Rachelle Solbak
• Stacey Grant
• Treasure Cooper

The post Living Patterns: Métis Stories & Craftsmanship Celebrates Métis Resilience, Art and Identity appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Dear Citizens,

For the Métis Nation within Alberta, self-government means taking control of our destiny as a distinct Indigenous Nation, and finally having our inherent rights and jurisdiction recognized.

We are the Otipemisiwak, the “people who own themselves”. Self-government is foundational to who we are as a Nation and an Indigenous People.

It means that we decide as a Nation about our collective future, not Canada or Alberta. We decide who our Citizens are, who speaks for our Nation, and how we make collective decisions, whether it be at the local level through our District Councils or for the Nation as a whole through our Citizens’ Council or Gatherings.

This is the work our Citizens, families, and communities have been doing for generations.

Since 1928, we have been rebuilding after the devastation caused by the Métis Scrip System and the Crown refusing to deal with us as a Nation. And we have chosen our own path forward. That vision is now set out in our Constitution.

At the heart of our Constitution is a belief that we are stronger when we work together.

We have built a province-wide government, where no one is left behind. We have rejected the “divide and conquer” approaches that led to other Indigenous Nations being divided through the Indian Act. Instead, we have chosen unity.

Self-government also means having the ability to design and deliver programs that actually meet the needs of our Citizens, rather than bureaucrats in Ottawa making those decisions for us. And it means standing together as a united Nation to advance, protect, and defend our rights protected by s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Our Recent Self-Government Journey and Successes

For generations, the Crown’s refusal to recognize our Nation was used against us.

Since 2015, we have achieved significant successes at the federal level:

• In 2016, in Daniels v. Canada, the Supreme Court held that Canada has constitutional responsibility for us – just as it does for First Nations and the Inuit;
• In 2017, we signed our Framework Agreement with Canada that kicked off formal negotiations with our Nation;
• In 2018, we signed a Consultation Agreement with Canada to ensure the federal Crown consults with our Nation when our rights and claims are impacted;
• And in 2019 and 2023, we signed our Métis Self-Government Recognition Agreement (MGRSA) and then our Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement (MGRSIA) with Canada.

Our MGRSIA was a gamechanger. It immediately recognized three important things:

• First, it recognized our Nation as a “right-bearing Métis collectivity” holds an inherent right to self-government protected by Section 35.
• Second, it recognized the Otipemisiwak Métis Government as the “government” and the “Indigenous governing body” for our Nation.
• And third, it committed Canada to negotiating a Self-Government Treaty with us that will be protected by s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Updating Our 2023 MGRSIA

In March 2024, the Federal Court struck down a few parts of our MGRSIA after two groups went to court and argued that they were included in our agreement and that, as a result, Canada was unable to negotiate with them.

Importantly, the Court refused to cancel the MGRSIA. Instead, it directed that changes be made to our agreement following Crown consultations.

In March 2025, we initialed an updated MGRSIA with Canada that addresses the Court’s directions. A copy of that updated agreement was posted to our website here.

Following the election of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government in April 2025, we were pleased to see his government remain committed to our agreements. In August 2025, I attended the Prime Minister’s Métis Major Projects Summit. In March 2026, we signed an updated Interim Fiscal Financing Agreement with Canada.

And just last month, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minster Rebecca Alty joined us at our Citizens’ Gathering in Slave Lake. There, she conveyed Canada’s ongoing commitment to our relationship, and to implementing our self-government agreements – together.

Updating Our 2023 MGRSIA: A New Milestone

Today, I am pleased to share another important step forward.

Following Canada’s Crown consultations with others on our MGRSIA, and further changes agreed to by our government, another updated version of our MGRSIA is now available here. This updated MGRSIA has also now been provided to various groups that Canada is consulting with.

This brings us another step closer to signing an updated MGRSIA. Once it is signed, this will allow us to move full steam ahead on negotiations for our Self-Government Treaty.

With that said, Canada is still engaged in Crown consultations with others on this further updated agreement, and we need to respect and allow that process to run its course. However, we anticipate the updated MGRSIA will be signed sometime in 2027. That will be a moment to celebrate!

We also believe the additional changes we have agreed to make our MGRSIA stronger and clearer. It confirms we only represent our 78,000+ Citizens and Métis Communities comprised of our Citizens. It also makes it clear that Canada can negotiate and reach agreements with others if it chooses to do so.

Next Steps in Advancing our Métis Rights Agenda

While we have made significant progress in advancing our inherent right to self-government, we also need to make progress on Métis land-related rights in the province, particularly in our relationship with the Alberta Government.

While Canada recognizes us for the purposes of Crown consultation on our rights, our relationship with the current Alberta Government remains challenging. In fact, Alberta refuses to consult with our District Councils and our Nation in any way on our rights.

We are not the only Indigenous Nation that is facing challenges with the current provincial government. But we are increasingly being excluded from provincial Crown consultation and other initiatives in ways that harm our Métis rights.

Over the next few months, your elected leadership will be coming together to strategize on how to advance Métis land related rights in Alberta. As you know, our Constitution demands that your leaders make progress on advancing Métis rights.

Other Métis governments have advanced their rights through “test cases.” We may need to consider doing the same. But if we are going to be successful, we need to be united and we need to bring all of our strength and resources to the table.

As your President and the Provincial Secretary for Métis Rights and Self-Government, I will be increasingly making sure our Citizens know about the challenges we are facing provincially and, more importantly, how we move forward together.

We are more than 78,000 Citizens strong, and the oldest Métis government in Canada. Our ancestors fought to ensure that Métis voices were heard. It is our responsibility to continue that work.

There is important and exciting work ahead of us. And as we have throughout our history, we will do it together.

The post Special President’s Update on Métis Self-Government appeared first on Otipemisiwak Métis Government.