President's Corner: September 5, 2026
Posted on: Sep 04, 2026
It was ninety-eight years ago, in 1928, that the Métis first began to organize politically in this province. Ninety-eight years ago, when five Métis men met in a church basement in the Cold Lake area, trying to find a way to push forward the Métis cause.
In the ninety-eight years since, this government—driven by our Citizens—has carried on that mission. We have never relented in the fight for recognition of Métis rights and self-government, a struggle that began nearly a century ago in Alberta.
As part of that ongoing work, we recently hosted the third annual Citizens’ Gathering in Slave Lake. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit different communities across the province each year at Citizen’s Gathering, and this year was no different. The Métis community in Slave Lake is thriving, and it was a privilege to be welcomed into your community with such open arms.
Twenty-eight Citizens’ Proposals were adopted from the floor this year. Twenty-eight times, a Citizen stood at the mic and spoke directly about what they expect from their government. Those proposals spoke to what is important to you, your families, and your communities. You shared ideas, you raised concerns, and you pushed our government to do better.
Now it’s our turn to take your direction and get to work. Over the next year, every single one of those twenty-eight proposals will be brought before your Citizens’ Council for thoughtful debate and dialogue.
I also want to thank the Citizens who came to listen, to visit, to laugh with old friends and meet new ones. You are the reason this weekend was a success. The energy in that room was something you cannot manufacture. It comes from people who care about each other and who believe in what we are building together.
To our staff, our Directors, our Citizens’ Representatives, our District Captains and Councillors, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make Citizen’s Gathering possible: thank you! The Gathering does not happen without you.
Ninety-eight years ago, our people first gathered politically in this province. They used their voices to stand up for the Métis people in Alberta, and a new chapter of our story started.
Nearly a century later, Métis people have never stopped showing up. Political resistance is woven into the fabric of who we are. It is why we have continued to show up for one another, generation after generation, building something we could not guarantee, simply because we know our people deserve it.
Our ancestors did not get to be here for this. But we are. And that is the honour of a lifetime.
Now the real work begins. Twenty-eight proposals do not implement themselves. Our government will carry that work forward and advance it with the seriousness it demands, grounded in our commitment to honour the promises we make to our Citizens.
For now, though, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for speaking up. Thank you for reminding all of us why we do this.
This is your Métis government. And after ninety-eight years, we are still here. Still gathering. Still building. Still proud. And just getting started.
President Andrea Sandmaier,
Otipemisiwak Métis Government