Métis communities threaten legal action over Métis Nation of Alberta constitution

Fourteen Métis communities are threatening legal action against a proposed constitution that would pave the way toward self-governance for the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Ratification of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution would turn the MNA into an official government with four branches and would subdivide the territories of the Métis Nation into districts with their own councils.

Voting began Nov. 1 and ends today. A date has not been set for the release of results.

The proposed constitution says the MNA will seek to repatriate land and to protect and hold land. It also outlines how education, culture, language, and health would be governed. The final document was approved by the MNA at its 94th Annual General Assembly in August.  The 24-page document is available to read online. 

The constitution has created conflict and prompted threats of legal action if it is ratified.

Fourteen Métis communities and settlements, including Fort McKay Métis Nation, Lac Ste. Anne Métis Community Association and Lethbridge Métis Local 2003, have opposed the constitution.

Adam Browning, president of the Métis Nation of Alberta local for Lethbridge, said he supports self-governance but doesn't believe the MNA properly consulted Métis communities and settlements on the constitution.

Browning also says that if the constitution is ratified, he worries how the association will manage the distribution of federal money to smaller and secluded communities.

"Some of our communities are at risk of shutting down and the local community level is going to be extinguished with this proposed constitution," he said.

Voting has been open to 56,000 MNA members age 16 and older. Statistics Canada says as of 2021, more than 127,000 people in Alberta identify as Métis.

The ballot asks voters to answer yes or no to one question: "Are you in favour of ratifying the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution?"

The vote follows an agreement signed between Ottawa and the Métis Nation of Alberta in 2019, in which the federal government recognized the nation's right to self-governance. At the same time, the federal government signed self-government agreements with the Métis Nation of Ontario and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan.

The Alberta agreement was considered a major breakthrough for the province's Métis communities, who have long demanded that their Indigenous rights, including land and trapping rights, be respected by the federal government. 

The second page of the constitution notes describes the goals of the MNA toward self-governance.