Métis Nation of Alberta

Since its inception in 1928, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is the Métis Government for Métis Albertans with its geographical and legal boundaries being the province of Alberta. The MNA is governed by a democratically elected Provincial Council, comprised of a Provincial President, a Vice-President, and six regional Presidents and Vice-Presidents. This Council works toward the mandate of the MNA, supporting practices of transparency, accountability and inclusiveness for Métis Albertans in governments’ policy and decision-making processes. The MNA promotes and facilitates the advancement of Métis people through self-reliance, self-determination and self-management. As per the Métis National Council, ‘Métis means a person who self-identifies as a Métis, is distinct from other aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry, and is accepted by the Métis Nation.’ Historic Métis Nation ‘means the Aboriginal people then known as Métis or half-breeds who resided in the Historic Métis Nation Homeland.’ Métis Nation ‘means the Aboriginal people descended from the Historic Métis Nation, which now comprised of all Métis Nation peoples and is one of the “aboriginal peoples of Canada” as defined in s.35 of the Constitution Act 1982.’ In the past decade, the Métis population has nearly doubled. The Métis are one of the fastest growing populations in Canada with a population estimated at 451,795 in 2011. A significantly high percentage live in Alberta alone. Alberta today accounts for more than 96,865 Métis, which is the largest population among the provinces and territories representing more than 21.4% of all Métis in Canada.