METIS SETTLEMENTS GENERAL COUNCIL SIGNS TWO NEW AGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA

METIS SETTLEMENTS GENERAL COUNCIL SIGNS TWO NEW AGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA

Edmonton, March 29th, 2023 – Today, the Metis Settlements General Council (MSGC) signed a new Protocol Agreement and a new policing agreement today with the Government of Alberta. The Protocol Agreement commits the MSGC and the Government of Alberta to working together to enhance the long-term sustainability of the Settlements social, economic, and cultural objectives. The policing agreement provides funding for the 8 Settlements to increase safety and security across all of our communities.

“We are very proud of the work our Executive and Settlement Council leaders have done over many
months to help get us to today’s agreements,” stated Dave Lamouche, MSGC President. “The
unique relationship that MSGC and our Settlements have in Alberta today – the protection of our
land, the celebration of our culture, and the betterment of our people – has been built up over
generations of leaders in our Settlement history. Today’s agreements are helping to ensure our
future. We look forward to our continued work with the Government.”

The protocol agreement defines a shared vision to advance Metis Settlements and to develop
agreements in several key areas:

• Community Development
– Indigenous Relations and MSGC to identify strategies to enhance community development outcomes in
areas such as, but not limited to, housing and infrastructure.

• Economic Development
– Indigenous Relations and MSGC to identify strategies to enhance Metis Settlement self-sufficiency
including, but not limited to, pathfinding government programs and services.

• Social Development
– Indigenous Relations and MSGC to identify strategies to enhance social development in areas such as,
but not limited to, health and wellness, safety, and community protection.

• Sustainable Organization and Settlements
– Indigenous Relations and MSGC to identify strategies to improve governance, administration and
financial sustainability of the Settlements including, but not limited to, discussions regarding the Metis
Settlements Act, the Co-Management Agreement, the Metis Settlements Appeal Tribunal and the Metis
Settlements Land Registry.

• Relationship Building
– Indigenous Relations and MSGC will commit to identify key areas to develop relationship promotion and
advancement with other GoA Ministries.
– Indigenous Relations and MSGC will commit to identify key strategies to advance MSGC’s relationship
with the federal government including, but not limited to, protecting the Metis Settlements’ land in the
Canadian Constitution, and discussing the financial viability of the Settlements with the federal
government.

• Access to GoA Programs
– Although there is no specific funding committed to this Protocol Agreement, Indigenous Relations will
commit, in cooperation with the MSGC, to facilitate access to available GoA funding programs for
MSGC and Settlement priorities.

See the full press release here.