Otipemisiwak Métis Government Celebrates New Milestones in Implementing Métis Rights and Self-Government in Alberta
Posted on: May 08, 2025
Edmonton, AB (May 8, 2025) – The Otipemisiwak Métis Government—as the government of the Métis Nation within Alberta—is celebrating two significant milestones in its ongoing journey of advancing and implementing Métis rights and self-government in Alberta.
Twelve Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts Now Transitioned to New Structure
Within its Constitution, the Métis Nation within Alberta has 22 Districts that span Alberta. Based on the Constitution, 22 District Councils—as the democratically elected local governments of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government—are to be established in each District.
As of May 5, 2025, 12 of the 22 District Councils—representing over 50% of all Districts recognized in the Constitution—have now been formally established and incorporated.
These include:
- Foothills Métis District
- Medicine Hat Métis District
- Rocky View Métis District
- Calgary Elbow Métis District
- Jasper House Métis District
- Fort Edmonton Métis District
- Albert Métis District
- Paul–Cold Lake Métis District
- Lac La Biche Métis District
- Athabasca Landing Métis District
- Lesser Slave Lake Métis District
- Wabasca–Desmarais Métis District
Based on the authorities and responsibilities set out in the Constitution, District Councils represent all Citizens living in that District as well as the Métis community in each District that is comprised of these Citizens. These responsibilities include managing the affairs of the District as well as Crown consultation on behalf of the Métis community in each District.
“Our Constitution calls for democratic, transparent and accountable self-government at all levels of our Nation. In the past, there was confusion about who ‘Locals’ represented as well as a lack of clarity with respect to how our Métis government worked together,” said Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
President Sandmaier added, “As one of the four branches of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, District Councils have clearly defined constitutional authorities and act as the local governments of our Nation. They are grassroots self-government in action, and put power in the hands of our Citizens across Alberta. I am so pleased to now see a majority of these District Councils formally established.”
While a majority of all District Councils are now formally established, every District is on track and moving through a transparent and democratic transition process at a pace that reflects its own unique circumstances. No District is being left behind, with each building towards full self-government implementation in a way that reflects the needs of the Citizens living in a given District.
For added clarity, not all of the transitioned Districts have gone through an election to elect their District Councillors. However, by virtue of the District being incorporated, the council is considered established.
Updated Crown Consultation Agreement Signed with Canada
On March 26, 2025, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government also signed an updated Consultation Agreement with Canada. Consistent with the two self-government agreements that were signed with Canada in 2019 and 2023, this agreement updates a previous agreement recognizes the Métis Nation within Alberta and its 5 Territories as a rights-bearing Métis collectivity.
In addition, the Consultation Agreement has been updated to align with the new self-government’s structures of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government as set out in its Constitution, including, recognizing the authorities and responsibilities of established District Councils with respect to federal Crown consultation and accommodation in Alberta.
“This is what the hard work of nation-building looks like,” added Sandmaier. “By working together and implementing our Constitution, we are building the democratic, accountable and respected self-government our ancestors dreamed of. We’re building not just our government, but we are putting in place for the foundations for a healthy, stable and sustainable future for the Métis Nation within Alberta for generations to come,” concluded President Sandmaier.
Background on Métis Nation within Alberta Self-Government
In November 2022, the Citizens of the Métis Nation within Alberta overwhelmingly adopted a Constitution in the largest ratification vote ever undertaken by an Indigenous Nation in Canada. This came after generations of Citizens and Métis communities calling for a Constitution to unite the Métis Nation within Alberta based on Métis law.
This Constitution formally established the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, as the successor to the Métis Nation of Alberta, in September 2023. Today, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is the oldest continuous Métis government within the Homeland.
Over the last two years, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government has been moving forward on implementing its Constitution. This has included adopting a core set of Métis laws, holding a province-wide election for its Citizens’ Council, signing a second Self-Government Agreement with Canada and holding an inaugural Citizens’ Gathering.
Media Contact:
Kenny Trenton, Press Secretary
Ktrenton@metis.org