Statement from the Otipemisiwak Métis Government on Métis Inclusion in Canada-U.S. Relations
Posted on: Jan 15, 2025
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government (formerly the Métis Nation of Alberta) calls on the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta to ensure Métis inclusion in Canada-U.S. relations, particularly in response to the recent threat of sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods.
The Métis have been nation-builders since long before Confederation. Our people were central to the fur trade, creating the first transcontinental economic network that fueled the foundations of Canada’s economy. Métis traders, voyageurs, and entrepreneurs connected vast regions through their hard work, ingenuity, and resilience, laying the groundwork for the very idea of Canada as a united territory.
When Canada’s borders were under threat during the War of 1812, Métis soldiers allied with the British and First Nations to defend the land from American forces. The Métis didn’t just fight for Canada – we shaped it.
Later, under the leadership of Louis Riel, the Métis negotiated the entry of Manitoba into Confederation, establishing a model for Saskatchewan and Alberta to follow. This ensured that Canada’s presence on the Prairies would remain distinct and resist American expansionism. These acts of courage, diplomacy, and vision built the framework of the Canada we know today.
Now, as President-elect Trump threatens sweeping tariffs, Métis Citizens and businesses are uniquely vulnerable to the economic consequences of such measures. Métis entrepreneurs, many of whom operate small and medium enterprises that depend on cross-border trade, will face disproportionate hardships. Industries central to Métis prosperity are at risk, especially in rural and remote regions where economic diversity is limited.
Tariffs could also deepen existing inequities, exacerbating challenges for Métis families who already face barriers to economic opportunity. Just as the fur trade created networks of economic interdependence, today’s Métis businesses rely on stable trade relationships to thrive. Disruptions to these networks risk undoing progress and further marginalizing our communities.
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government urges the federal and provincial governments to engage directly with Métis leaders to address these emerging challenges.
At this critical juncture, it is essential that Métis voices are heard, and our concerns addressed. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government stands ready to work with the federal and provincial governments to safeguard Canada’s economy while honouring the vital contributions of the Métis people.