Alberta-Metis Settlements Accord
- The Alberta-Metis Settlements Accord (1989) was a political agreement between Alberta and the Federation of Metis Settlement Associations (now called the Metis Settlements General Council), which described both parties’ intentions to develop a new land-based governance model for the Metis Settlements.
- The goals of the Accord were to secure a Métis land base for future generations, local autonomy, and economic self-sufficiency.
- The Accord included the following:
- a draft Metis Settlements Act and Metis Settlements Land Act;
- a commitment for financial contributions to the Metis Settlements;
- a commitment to amending the Alberta Act to entrench Settlement lands in the constitution of Canada (Note: federal agreement to an amendment could not be achieved at that time, such that these lands are entrenched in the Alberta Constitution);
- a commitment to the Co-management of subsurface resources; and
- a commitment to establish a Transition Commission to assist the Metis Settlements with the adjustments to the new governance regime.
- The Accord and legislation also indefinitely stayed litigation brought by the Settlements against Alberta over the management of natural resource revenues.
- The Accord and legislation are unique in Canada and establish clear roles and responsibilities for both Alberta and the Metis Settlements.
