Recent Agreements with Canada & Alberta
Posted on: Nov 20, 2017
July 31, 2018
Métis Nation of Alberta and Parks Canada collaborate on Indigenous Peoples Open Doors Program
Parks Canada and Métis Nation of Alberta leadership signed the agreement at Rocky Mountain House National Historical site, July 31, 2018.
From left: Dave McDonough, Executive Director, Pacific & Mountain Parks; Audrey Poitras, President, Métis Nation of Alberta; Bev New, Co-Minister, Métis Rights & Accommodation; Karen Collins, Co-Minister, Métis Right & Accommodation.
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, AB. (July 31, 2018) Earlier today, President Audrey Poitras and Parks Canada officials, signed an agreement offering the Indigenous Peoples Open Doors program to citizens of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA).
Parks Canada and the MNA are proud to announce, beginning August 1, 2018, MNA citizens will have free access to national parks and national historic sites located in the province of Alberta.
The MNA has a connection to the lands and waters comprising the national parks and national historic sites located throughout the province of Alberta. Parks Canada, via the Indigenous Peoples Open Doors Program, is inviting and welcoming Indigenous Peoples to Parks Canada places to which they feel a connection or a desire to reconnect without undue requirements for purchasing passes or permits.
The Métis Nation of Alberta is very excited, through this program, to reaffirm its connection to the Métis Nation homeland and to continue leveraging its productive relationships with the Government of Canada.
Quick Facts:
- The Indigenous Peoples Open Doors program starts with the Métis Nation of Alberta on August 1, 2018 and has no expiry date.
- This program includes 18 National Parks/National Historic Sites, within Alberta, where Métis citizens will not have to pay park entry fees.
- The Indigenous Peoples Open Doors program does not override any general admission fees for attractions and services, including campgrounds, hot pools and other park facilities, or any other levies associated with park/site/area use other than entry.
- The agreement signed today with Parks Canada is the MNA’s second sub-agreement with Canada under the November 2017 Framework Agreement.
Quotes:
“Offering the Indigenous Peoples Open Doors Program to citizens of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA), is significant. The Government of Canada recognizes the Métis people as distinct Indigenous people with inherent rights. This program recognizes the connections Métis people in Alberta have with traditionally used lands and waters in Alberta’s national parks and national historic sites. We are excited to announce this partnership with Parks Canada.”
– Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta
For more information and a list of national parks and sites included in the Indigenous Peoples Open Door program, click here.
July 24, 2018
Government of Canada and Métis Nation of Alberta sign Consultation Agreement
MNA-Canada Consultation Agreement: Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations (center right), MNA President, Audrey Poitras (center left) with MNA Co-Ministers for Métis Rights, Karen Collins (third from left) and Bev New (second from right) and witness, President of MNA Region Three, Marlene Lanz (right).
Edmonton, AB. (July 24, 2018) The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is pleased to announce the signing of a Consultation Agreement between MNA leaders and the Government of Canada at the Métis National Council meeting in Saskatoon on Thursday, July 19, 2018.
In honour of their commitment to renew a nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta, signed the Consultation Agreement.
The Consultation Agreement builds on the already productive relationship by outlining clear roles, responsibilities, and a method for consultation between the MNA and Canada. It establishes common expectations between the MNA and Canada ensuring the representation of all MNA citizens.
This document marks the first sub-agreement under the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation signed by Minister Bennett and President Poitras on November 16, 2017.
Quick Facts:
- The MNA is governed by a Provincial Council, comprised of a Provincial President and Vice-President, and six (6) regional Presidents and Vice-Presidents, all democratically elected.
- The MNA promotes and facilitates the advancement of Métis people through self-reliance, self-determination, and self-management.
Quotes:
“The signing of the Consultation Agreement marks Canada’s commitment and recognition of the Metis Nation as distinct peoples. The outcome will be opportunities to hear directly from Métis Nation of Alberta citizens on issues, needs, and concerns unique to our people.”
- Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta
“This consultation protocol is an important step along the road to reconciliation to strengthen Canada’s relationship with the Métis Nation of Alberta. We look forward to continuing to work together in a true spirit of partnership and co-operation to make progress on our shared priorities for the benefit of Métis Nation of Alberta citizens and for all Canadians.”
- The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
To read the full agreement, click here.
July 24, 2018
Government of Canada and Métis National Council sign Métis National Housing Accord
MNA representatives including Provincial Council members Dan Cardinal (far left), Marlene Lanz (second left), President Audrey Poitras (second right), and Karen Collins (far right) stand with Minister of Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett after the Canada-MNC Métis Nation Housing Accord signing.
Saskatoon, SK. (July 19, 2018) President Audrey Poitras and the other Presidents of the Métis National Council, along with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, signed the Métis National Housing Accord.
The Accord outlines the Government of Canada’s commitment of $500 million, over ten years, to support the implementation of a Métis Nation Housing Strategy. The Accord has six key elements of note:
- Develop a model, that can be adopted locally, using a multi-stakeholder approach to address the housing needs of the Métis Nation across the housing continuum. (Stakeholders include CMHC, Provincial housing corporations, Métis housing corporations, municipal housing authorities, developers, and not-for-profits);
- Utilize existing infrastructure of stakeholders, in particular Métis housing corporations, to deliver new or enhanced programs to supply Métis housing;
- Extend current housing subsidy programs being delivered by Métis housing corporations;
- Increase the number of affordable and subsidized housing units available specifically to Métis Nation families and citizens;
- Focus on reduction of the core housing need gap existing between Métis Nation citizens and non-Indigenous Canadians by preserving and improving the existing social housing stock; and
- Focus on homeownership as lowest cost approach to housing by exploring a variety of financial instruments such as a Métis Homeownership Fund backed by federal loan guarantees to support lower income Métis
- homeowners.
The Métis Nation of Alberta is very excited to strengthen its capacity to continue offering affordable housing programs and increasing its inventory of available units. This work will also include renovating, repairing, and rehabilitating its existing affordable housing options.
Quick Facts:
- The Métis Nation Housing Accord is the second sub-agreement signed under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord, signed in April 2017, working towards a renewed relationship with the Métis Nation.
- In June 2018, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hajdu and the Métis Nation leadership signed the Métis Nation Skills and Employment Accord. The Skills and Employment Accord provides a framework for working together to implement the new Métis National Labour Market Strategy. The strategy focuses on enhanced employment services, skills development, and job training to improve the overall well-being of Métis Nation.
- The Métis Nation Skills and Employment Accord represents the Government of Canada’s commitment of more than $625 million over 10 years for the Métis Nation stream of the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training program in the 2018 budget. The program replaces the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy.
Quote:
“The signing of the Housing Accord highlights Canada’s commitment and recognition of the Metis Nation’s self-determination. Through this accord Canada is helping our Housing Programs, like Métis Urban Housing Corporation and Métis Capital Housing Corporation, provide affordable and culturally-appropriate, sustainable solutions for our citizens.”
– Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta
June 19, 2018
Métis National Council and Government of Canada sign Skills and Employment Training Accord
The Métis Nation of Alberta is pleased to announce the signing of the Métis Nation Skills and Employment Accord between the leaders of the Métis Nation of Canada and the Government of Canada on Friday, June 15, 2018.
The Métis Nation Skills and Employment Accord provides all parties a framework for jointly implementing the new Métis National Labour Market Strategy. The strategy focuses on enhanced employment services, skills development, and job training to improve the overall well-being of the Métis Nation. This Accord marks the first sub-accord under the Canada-Métis Nation Accord signed by the Prime Minister of Canada and Métis Nation leadership on April 13, 2017.
The signing of the Accord comes after the federal government made a commitment of more than $625 million over 10 years for the Métis Nation stream of the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training program in the 2018 budget. The program replaces the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy.
Quick Facts:
- The Métis Nation is represented by the Métis National Council and its governing members: the Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Métis Nation British Columbia.
- Budget 2018 also provides $516 million in funding over 10 years to respond to the unique needs and concerns of the Métis Nation, including:
- $500 million over 10 years to support a Métis Nation housing strategy
- $10 million in 2018-19 to suppo
rt Métis Nation post-secondary education - $6 million over five years to support the Métis Nation in gathering health data and developing a health strategy
Quotes:
“The signing of the Canada-Métis Nation Accord last year was the first step toward a renewed relationship with the Métis Nation. These meetings provide an important opportunity to hear directly from leaders of the Métis Nation about their unique needs and concerns. We will continue to work together with the Métis Nation as partners to address these needs, and strengthen the Canada-Métis Nation relationship for the benefit of our country and all Canadians.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“The Canada-Métis Nation Accord is enabling the Métis Nation to make significant strides toward our social and economic development. We look forward to working with the Prime Minister and his ministers on this year’s priorities.”
—Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council
“Today’s meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau was positive, and I thank him for his commitment to a distinctions-based approach. The work we are doing nationally will benefit Métis citizens in Alberta.”
—Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta
To download a copy of the Accord, click here.
November 16, 2017
Métis Nation of Alberta-Government of Canada Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation
On November 16, 2017, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta, took a historic step with the signing of the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation. The signing enables Canada and Métis Nation of Alberta to begin formal negotiations towards shared and balanced solutions advancing reconciliation and the enhancement of the well-being of Métis Nation of Alberta citizens while respecting the rights of all Canadians.
The Framework Agreement sets out shared objectives and identifies key negotiating topics such as Métis self-government, lands, rights and consultation protocol.
To download a PDF copy of the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation, click here.
February 27, 2017
Memorandum from President Audrey Poitras on Recent Agreements with Canada & Alberta
TO: All Members
FROM: Audrey Poitras, MNA President
DATE: February 27, 2017
RE: Recent Agreements with Canada and Alberta
As many of you have likely already heard, the Métis Nation of Alberta (“MNA”) has recently signed two important agreements with both the federal and provincial governments. Both of these agreements are now publicly available and can be found on the MNA’s website at www.albertametis.com. Copies of these agreements can also be obtained by contacting the MNA Head Office or our Regional Offices throughout the province.
These two agreements consolidate many of the positive developments we have been making politically here in Alberta as well as at the federal level in over the last year or so. These agreements also begin to strategically put the pieces into place to meaningfully implement our historic victory in the Harry Daniels case from April 2016 (the “Daniels Case”) as well as the recommendations of Mr. Tom Isaac, Canada’s Ministerial Special Representative on Métis Section 35 Rights, whose report was released in July 2016 (the “Isaac Report”).
In the upcoming months, the MNA will be initiating province-wide community consultations to update members on these agreements as well as to talk about our priorities for future negotiations with both Canada and Alberta. In the meantime, I wanted to provide this update to highlight some important aspects of these agreements as well as outline how they fit together and complement each other. As I stated at the signing of these two agreements, the “stars are aligning for Alberta Métis” to make some significant advances on our rights-based agenda in the near future.
From the positive relationships we have built with Premier Notley and her government, including the commitment in our new Framework Agreement to finally begin work with us on a nation-to-nation basis, to Prime Minister Trudeau’s commitment to finally put into place the nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship the Métis Nation has sought with Canada for generations, I believe we have the wind at our backs and we must seize upon the once-in-a-generation opportunities that are before us.
To download a PDF copy of the above memorandum and further information on the MNA’s recent agreements with the Provincial and Federal Governments, click here.
February 1, 2017
Métis Nation of Alberta-Government of Alberta Framework Agreement
On February 1, 2017, Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) President Audrey Poitras signed a groundbreaking ten-year Framework Agreement with the Government of Alberta. This agreement is not only the longest in MNA history, but is also the most comprehensive. Deriving many of its mandates from the Supreme Court of Canada’s Daniels Decision, section 35 of the Constitution, and United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the collaborative agreement sets a promising precedent for the development of Métis rights, including harvesting. Premier Rachel Notley stated “This agreement is an important step in the journey of reconciliation. Métis people have a long and proud history in Alberta, and we look forward to continuing to build our strong relationship.”
As an important step towards reconciliation, the Framework Agreement stipulates MNA’s right to participate and collaborate with the Government of Alberta on decisions that will affect the well-being of its members. Some of those priority actions are:
- Renewing and strengthening the Nation to Nation relationship
- Facilitating the recognition and respect of Métis Rights in Alberta that upholds the Honour of the Crown and advances reconciliation
- Develop a “whole of government” approach to Métis issues
- Increase economic opportunities for Alberta Métis in areas like environment, climate change, harvesting, health and wellness, housing, education, culture and heritage, employment, and women’s issues.
President Poitras is particularly pleased to sign a framework that not only establishes a promising working relationship with the Government of Alberta for ten years, but symbolizes decades of hard work by all leaders, past and present.
To download a PDF copy of the Métis Nation of Alberta-Government of Alberta Framework Agreement, click here.
January 30, 2017
Métis Nation of Alberta-Government of Canada Memorandum of Understanding
The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Reconciliation with the Government of Canada (MOU). The MOU was signed on January 30, 2017 on Parliament Hill by MNA President Audrey Poitras, Bev New, MNA Co-Minister for Métis Rights and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Members of the MNA Provincial Council were also in attendance at the signing.
The MOU establishes a time-limited exploratory discussions table between the MNA and Canada with the goal of arriving at a mutually-agreeable framework agreement by September 2017. The anticipated framework agreement would establish a formal negotiations process based on mutually agreeable subject matters, including Métis self-government, lands, rights and outstanding claims against the Crown.
The MOU comes on the heels of recent positive political and legal developments for Alberta Métis, including the Prime Minister’s November 2015 mandate letter to Minister Bennett providing direction for her to advance a nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship with the Métis Nation as well as the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision in Daniels v. Canada that was released in April 2016.
“This MOU has been a long-time coming for Alberta Métis. For many years at the federal level, we have been on the outside looking in. This MOU opens the door for us to finally put in place the government-to-government relationship with Canada our people have sought for generations as well as begin to address the pressing issues of our citizens and communities in Alberta, including dealing with Métis rights, lands and self-government,” said President Poitras.
Below is a copy of the MOU, along with background materials.