Métis Nation of Alberta

The Métis Nation within Alberta has a long history of organizing and political participation. Since the end of the 19th century, Métis in Alberta have stood together and pressed governments to respect our Métis rights and treat our claims fairly. Learn more about this ongoing fight and the milestones we’ve reached on our Self-Government website.

A constitution is an essential tool for self-government. A constitution acts as a rule book, clearly defining how any government, Aboriginal or otherwise, will operate and what powers it has. When the constitutions of Aboriginal governments are recognized by other levels of government—federal and provincial—they provide the legitimacy and legal tools we need to respond to our citizens’ needs and provide appropriate services. Learn more about constitutions and why it is important for the Métis Nation of Alberta to create and adopt our own.

Self-determination and self-government are inherent rights of all Indigenous people. Prior to Canada’s westward expansion into the Métis Nation Homeland, we governed ourselves in keeping with our own traditions. Collectively, we asserted ourselves as a nation—the Métis Nation. But Canada’s colonial policies and institutions denied our nationhood, uprooted us from our lands, and restricted many of the practices that are fundamental to our Métis culture. The Métis Nation of Alberta has struggled for decades to have our right to self-government recognized and respected. By finally achieving this sovereignty, we will regain control over matters directly affecting us and ensure Métis culture flourishes for generations. We will be empowered to remedy the effects of colonialism in our community. The time has come for the full recognition of the Métis Nation within Alberta’s right to govern. Learn more.

In addition to meeting the National definition of Métis,
you must also submit the following documents:

1. Family Tree
2. Birth Certificate
3. Identification
4. Proof of Residency

Find the application form here.

Definition: “Métis means a person who self-identifies as Metis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation”

Historical Proof: refers to evidence of an ancestor who received a land grant or a scrip granted under the Manitoba Act or the Dominion Lands Act, or who was recognized as Métis in other government, church or community records.

Historic Métis Nation: refers to the Aboriginal people then known as Métis or half-breeds who resided in the Historic Métis Nation Homeland.

Historic Métis Nation Homeland: the area of land in west-central North America used and occupied as the traditional territory of the Métis or Half-breeds as they were then known.

Métis Nation: means Aboriginal people descended from the Historic Métis Nation, which is now comprised of all Métis Nation peoples and is one of the “aboriginal peoples of Canada” within the meaning of s.35 of the Constitution Act 1982.

Distinct from other Aboriginal peoples: means distinct for cultural and nationhood purpose.

Anyone who is a resident of Alberta can apply. This includes Settlement members.

Approved harvesters are only able to harvest in their defined Métis Harvesting Area. Through your application, you’d have established a historical (pre-1900s) and contemporary connection to one (or more) of these four areas.

See the Métis Harvesting Area maps below:

1. Harvesting Area Mosaic
2. Harvesting Area A
3. Harvesting Area B
4. Harvesting Area C
5. Harvesting Area D
6. All Harvesting Areas

Approved harvesters can harvest year-round; however, there are yearly fishing closures, most of which are April 1 to May 14 annually. Stay informed by regularly checking the current Domestic Fishing Licence regulations [pdf].

As with traditional Métis harvesting practices, we encourage you to consider sustainable and responsible harvesting and fishing methods for future generations. This includes not harvesting any females (cow or doe) and young between the months of January through to the end of July.

The Government of Alberta’s policy on Métis Harvesting can be viewed online.

If you have questions not listed in the FAQs section, please contact the Harvesting team by email at harvesting@metis.org

You can apply for your harvesting card now if you already have your Citizenship, or at the same time as your Citizenship application.

The Métis Harvester Identification Card is valid for the life of the Métis citizen.

This Métis Harvesting Agreement only applies to citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. If you self-identify as Métis and have historical Métis ancestry, you can apply to become a Citizen of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Until each current applicant is accepted as an MNA citizen, the MNA cannot process your application to be identified as a Métis Harvester under the Métis Harvesting Agreement. You will have to apply for your Métis Harvester Identification Sticker after receiving your MNA citizenship card.

All questions regarding Alberta’s harvesting letters should be directed to the Government of Alberta.

No. You will still have to apply for a Métis Harvester Identification Card (and be a Citizen) with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

The Métis Harvesting Agreement only applies to Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. You will need to contact the Métis Settlement General Council to find out about their process or contact the Government of Alberta.

If you qualify for harvesting rights in Alberta you can also apply to become a Citizen of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

No. However, you need to show both historical and contemporary connection to each harvesting area. Through the Harvester Identification Card application process, one must show pre-1900 family roots as well as a contemporary connection in the respective harvesting area(s). Potentially, a Citizen can connect to two, three, or all harvesting areas, if they can prove the area connection requirements.

No, the Métis Harvesting Agreement and Policy applies only to approved harvesters who are Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.

Similar to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government citizenship application process (which takes 6-8 weeks), the Métis Harvester Identification Card application process will be based out of the provincial office in Edmonton. Our Registry and Harvesting teams will also travel the province to help with applications and provide information.

If you are about to apply for citizenship, you will be able to apply for the Métis Harvester Identification Card simultaneously. Cards will be mailed to applicants after the application has been approved.

Historical connection
Pre-1900 ancestral connection must be shown by genealogical history, including where ancestors lived and when they lived there. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is enhancing our database and registration process to assist Citizens with establishing their ancestral connection to the Métis Harvesting Areas.

Contemporary connection
Contemporary connection to the same Métis Harvesting Area must be shown through compliance with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s policy on contemporary community acceptance.

A previous court decision found that Métis do not have harvesting rights in the Cypress Hills area. Alberta feels bound by these decisions and unable to recognize Métis harvesting rights in the Treaty 7 area at this time. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government strongly disagrees and continues to fight for the recognition of Métis harvesting rights in the south.

The Métis Harvesting Agreement includes several wins for Battle River Territory:

• For the first time, Alberta recognizes Métis harvesting rights in the Red Deer Métis District, particularly around Rocky Mountain House;
• Citizens living in Battle River Territory will be able to harvest in central and northern Alberta if they can show a historical and contemporary connection there; and
• Alberta has committed to further discussions regarding the recognition of Métis harvesting rights in the south. Previously, the Government of Alberta refused to discuss Métis harvesting in Southern Alberta at all.

All Métis and Indigenous people are born with inherent rights. An inherent right is a collective right of all Métis that stems from the community’s connection to the land. These rights cannot be taken away, although they are often unrecognized by other levels of government.

Inherent rights include:

• rights to the land
• rights to subsistence resources and activities
• the right to self-determination and self-government
• the right to practice one’s own culture and customs, including language and religion.