Otipemisiwak Métis Government Welcomes Newly Elected District Captains
Posted on: Jul 31, 2025
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is pleased to announce the official swearing-in of two newly elected District Captains. The ceremony was held during a recent Citizens’ Council meeting in Nisku, Alberta, marking an important step in advancing community leadership and Métis self-governance.
The newly elected Captains bring with them deep community connections and a strong commitment to serving Métis Citizens across Alberta:
- Heather Seale, District Captain for the Medicine Hat Métis District
- Brad Martin, District Captain for the St. Albert Métis District
“These new Captains are more than leaders, they’re builders that will play an important role in our community-level governance.” said Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. “Step by step we are building a government grounded in our Métis traditions, that will last for generations to come. I look forward to working with our new District Captains to support our Citizens as we move forward.”
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government extends its heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected District Captains and expresses its deep gratitude to Métis Citizens for their continued trust, participation, and commitment to democratic self-governance.
BIOGRAPHIES
Haether Seale, District Captain for the Medicine Hat Métis District. Heather Seale (Schnell) is a proud Métis woman born and raised in Medicine Hat, where she and her husband raised their three daughters—the seventh generation of her family to live there. Her deep roots trace back to 1765 through Métis families including the Johnson, Bray, McKay, Sinclair, Cocking, and Favell lines. A dedicated mother and community volunteer, Heather is known for her volunteer work with youth sports, seniors’ country pet visits and Equine Hippo Therapy programs that support youth speech development. She is passionate about preserving and sharing Métis culture, especially traditional harvesting, natural medicines, and land-based knowledge. To Heather, family is at the heart of what it means to be Metis. Heather is honoured to be Elected as Medicine Hat Métis District Captain with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and is eager to represent her community, safeguard Métis traditions, and advocate for resources and opportunities for all Métis citizens.
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Brad Martin, District Captain for the St. Albert Métis District. Brad, originally from Southern Alberta, has proudly called St. Albert home for the past 38 years. A devoted father of two sons, Brad values time spent creating meaningful family memories. Deeply connected to his Métis heritage, he is passionate about sharing and preserving Métis culture, values, and traditions for future generations. A skilled tradesperson, Brad holds dual certification as a journeyman plumber and gasfitter.
Brad is inspired by the progress made by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and honours the legacy of past Métis leaders who paved the way toward self-determination. He is committed to advancing that journey with integrity, guided by the principles of accountability, transparency, and open communication. As a representative of the St. Albert Métis District, Brad looks forward to engaging with Citizens, listening to their concerns, and working collaboratively to ensure their voices are respected and reflected in the decisions that shape their community.
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Media Contact:
Nicole Sparrow, Director of Strategic Governance
Otipemisiwak Métis Government
nsparrow@metis.org