Secretary Spotlight: Gabrielle Blatz
Posted on: Jul 24, 2026
Provincial Secretary of Women, Gender Equity & Inclusivity & Women’s Secretary
On May 19, 2026, Gabrielle Blatz was appointed to Cabinet as the Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s Provincial Secretary of Women, Gender Equity & Inclusivity. Secretary Blatz brings decades of leadership in public service, healthcare, municipal government, and community advocacy to a role dedicated to advancing the voices and wellbeing of Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Citizens.
Secretary Blatz descends from the Dumont, Courchene, Laboucan, Deschaneau, Callihoo, and Tanner families—historic Métis families whose contributions to governance, resilience, and Nation-building have helped shape the Métis Nation across generations. Today, she proudly carries that legacy forward through her commitment to strengthening Métis communities, fostering inclusive leadership, and ensuring every Citizen has the opportunity to thrive.
Prior to joining Citizens’ Council, Secretary Blatz served two terms as a City Councillor for the City of Wetaskiwin, where she championed community development, collaboration, and responsible governance. She also spent more than a decade working in healthcare before serving as Interim Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Edmonton, helping guide municipal priorities and strengthen relationships between governments, organizations, and communities.
The position of Women’s Representative is one of three Constitutionally mandated offices within the composition of Citizens’ Council, reflecting the fundamental importance of Métis women’s voices in the governance of the Nation. Chapter 16 of the Constitution establishes the Women’s Representative as responsible for representing the rights, interests, and claims of Métis women while working collaboratively with Citizens’ Council to advance the purpose, goals, and responsibilities of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
As Provincial Secretary of Women, Gender Equity & Inclusivity, Secretary Blatz has been entrusted with a mandate that reflects the Government’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally grounded leadership. Over the coming year, she will lead efforts to:
• Address systemic barriers by working across all government departments and affiliates to ensure the needs and perspectives of Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Citizens are reflected throughout government policies and programs.
• Build strategic partnerships with advocacy organizations to expand opportunities and strengthen supports for Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Citizens.
• Support intergenerational knowledge transfer by helping establish safe, culturally grounded spaces where Métis women and girls can share knowledge, mentorship, traditions, and lived experiences across generations.
• Strengthen accountability by ensuring government programs and services continue to meet the diverse needs and expectations of Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Citizens through measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
Secretary Blatz believes that strong Nations are built through inclusive leadership, meaningful relationships, and ensuring every Citizen feels seen, heard, and valued. Her work reflects the Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s commitment to creating opportunities where Métis women can lead, families can flourish, and future generations inherit a stronger, more equitable Nation.
Through her leadership on Cabinet, Secretary Blatz is helping build a future where Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Citizens are empowered to shape decisions, strengthen communities, and contribute to the continued growth of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.