President's Corner: July 11, 2026
Posted on: Jul 10, 2026
Last week, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada announced plans to advance a west coast pipeline as a nation-building project. It is a significant proposal for Alberta, and one that affects the rights, lands, and future of Métis people in this province.
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government supports responsible major-project development. Our Citizens support projects that create good jobs, ownership opportunities, and long-term benefits for Métis communities. Our tradespeople are ready to work. Our businesses are ready to build. We want to be part of Alberta’s future.
But building Canada strong means building it the right way. It means bringing us in early, before big decisions are made. Not after.
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is the oldest Métis government in Canada. We represent more than 78,000 rights-bearing Métis Albertans, and our rights are protected under Section 35 of the Constitution. A major project of this scale in this province must include our government from the start. Not as a stakeholder to be informed after the fact, but as a rights-holder and a nation-building partner at the table.
The Government of Canada has committed to ensuring that streamlined project approvals will not come at the expense of the recognition of our rights or the Crown’s duty to consult. We now look for the Government of Alberta to advance this project in the same practical, solutions-focused way, with our government at the table.
To be direct with our Citizens: the working relationship our government has with Canada has not been mirrored by Alberta’s words or actions. Months ago, we put forward a practical interim consultation protocol for major projects in Alberta. It would create a clear process for early notice, engagement with our government and District Councils, and more certainty for everyone involved. It is a made-in-Alberta proposal, and it is ready to move forward. To date, we have not received a response.
We remain ready to work with Alberta. Projects are stronger when Métis governments and District Councils are involved early, when concerns can be addressed before decisions are locked in, and when Métis Citizens have a real chance to share in the benefits.
The Métis Nation helped build this country. We are ready to help continue building it. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government will always run as fast as our partners are willing to run beside us.
President Andrea Sandmaier
Otipemisiwak Métis Government