Métis Nation of Alberta and Government of Alberta sign historic Métis Harvesting Agreement
Posted on: Mar 13, 2019
For Immediate Release
Métis Nation of Alberta and Government of Alberta sign historic Métis Harvesting Agreement Edmonton, AB. (March 13, 2019)
Earlier today, Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA), Dan Cardinal, Vice President of the MNA, Shannon Phillips, Minister of Alberta Environment and Parks, and Richard Feehan, Minister of Indigenous Relations signed an agreement on implementing a new Métis Harvesting in Alberta Policy.
The new Métis Harvesting in Alberta Policy replaces the 2010 policy and recognizes the rights of eligible MNA citizens to hunt, fish, and trap for food in four large regional Métis Harvesting Areas in central and northern Alberta (as opposed to the much smaller 25 local Métis harvesting areas provided for in the 2010 policy).
This agreement is a great step in advancing reconciliation and a result of MNA consultation with over 800 Métis citizens over eight engagement sessions across Alberta in 2018.
The agreement recognizes the MNA’s authority to issue Métis Harvesting Identification Stickers. The Stickers are to be affixed to the MNA citizenship cards of eligible individuals, indicating the Métis Harvesting Area(s) in which they may harvest. The agreement also establishes an Implementation Committee to review any issues related the policy or Métis harvesting. Further, the agreement commits Alberta to ongoing discussion with the MNA about important outstanding issues, including the recognition of Métis harvesting rights in southern Alberta.
The Métis Nation of Alberta is very excited, through this agreement, to reaffirm its connection to the Métis Nation homeland and to continue its productive relationship with the Government of Alberta.
Quick Facts:
- Eligible MNA citizens wishing to be identified as Métis Harvesters will be able to acquire a Métis Harvesting Identification Sticker from the MNA.
- Métis Harvesting Identification Stickers will be issued by the MNA.
- Each Métis Harvesting Identification Sticker will indicate the valid Métis Harvesting Area(s) for each Métis Harvester.
- Each eligible Métis Harvester will need to show a pre-1900 ancestral connection to one or more Métis Harvesting Areas.
“The MNA’s new Métis Harvesting Agreement with Alberta is significant. The Government of Alberta recognizes the Métis people as distinct Indigenous people with connections to traditionally used lands and waters and inherent rights to hunt, fish, and trap. We are excited to announce this new agreement, but significant work remains to have Métis harvesting rights in southern Alberta recognized too.”
Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta
“This is a historic day for the Métis Nation of Alberta. We should all be proud, as citizens, to showcase our traditional values and our rights to harvest as a Métis people. We need to continue these collaborative discussions, with respect to our Métis harvesting rights.”
Dan Cardinal, Vice President of the Métis Nation of Alberta
Media contact:
Rolando Inzunza
Director of Communications & Citizen Engagement
780-455-2200 ext. 395
rinzunza@metis.org