Metis History
1869-1870
The Metis-led Red River Resistance resulted in the Manitoba Act, passed by Canada’s parliament. The act established Manitoba as a bilingual province, with educational rights for Catholics and Protestants, and Metis land rights.
1875-1879
Canada’s government issued scrip to the Metis, instead of establishing Metis lands in Manitoba.
1885
The Northwest Resistance sought to protect Metis Lands in what is today Saskatchewan, as the railway and settlers moved into western Canada.
1896-1910
Metis settlers established farms at St. Paul des Metis - near what is today St. Paul, Alberta - on land provided by the Catholic Church. The Metis did not have title to this land however, and had to leave when the settlement was closed.
1938
L’Association des Metis de l’Alberta et des Territoires du Nord-Ouest lobbied Alberta’s government to set aside land for the Metis. Alberta’s government passed the Metis Population Betterment Act in 1938, which established twelve temporary Metis settlements.
1940-1960
The temporary settlements did not give the Metis control of the land. When four of the settlements proved unsuitable for farming, hunting or fishing, the settlements were closed and the land went back to the government of Alberta.
1982
The Metis lobbied for recognition of Metis rights in Canada’s constitution. When the constitution was patriated, it included section 35, which recognizes the Metis as one of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples with rights.
1990
Alberta’s government enacted legislation under which the Metis received the Metis settlements as a permanent land base with the right to manage their own affairs.
2003
The Supreme Court ruled that the Metis have the right to hunt and fish, as one of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples under the constitution. These rights recognize the unique relationship to the land of the Metis, based in history and their inherent rights as an Aboriginal people.
2004
In tow separate negotiations, the Metis Settlements General Council and the Metis Nation of Alberta truck agreements with Alberta’s government recognizing Metis hunting and fishing rights. The agreements ensured that the Metis could hunt and fish for food, and that they did not need licenses.
2006
In April, the Metis in Manitoba launched a court case seeking compensation for land promised, but not delivered in the Manitoba Act.
The Metis-led Red River Resistance resulted in the Manitoba Act, passed by Canada’s parliament. The act established Manitoba as a bilingual province, with educational rights for Catholics and Protestants, and Metis land rights.
1875-1879
Canada’s government issued scrip to the Metis, instead of establishing Metis lands in Manitoba.
1885
The Northwest Resistance sought to protect Metis Lands in what is today Saskatchewan, as the railway and settlers moved into western Canada.
1896-1910
Metis settlers established farms at St. Paul des Metis - near what is today St. Paul, Alberta - on land provided by the Catholic Church. The Metis did not have title to this land however, and had to leave when the settlement was closed.
1938
L’Association des Metis de l’Alberta et des Territoires du Nord-Ouest lobbied Alberta’s government to set aside land for the Metis. Alberta’s government passed the Metis Population Betterment Act in 1938, which established twelve temporary Metis settlements.
1940-1960
The temporary settlements did not give the Metis control of the land. When four of the settlements proved unsuitable for farming, hunting or fishing, the settlements were closed and the land went back to the government of Alberta.
1982
The Metis lobbied for recognition of Metis rights in Canada’s constitution. When the constitution was patriated, it included section 35, which recognizes the Metis as one of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples with rights.
1990
Alberta’s government enacted legislation under which the Metis received the Metis settlements as a permanent land base with the right to manage their own affairs.
2003
The Supreme Court ruled that the Metis have the right to hunt and fish, as one of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples under the constitution. These rights recognize the unique relationship to the land of the Metis, based in history and their inherent rights as an Aboriginal people.
2004
In tow separate negotiations, the Metis Settlements General Council and the Metis Nation of Alberta truck agreements with Alberta’s government recognizing Metis hunting and fishing rights. The agreements ensured that the Metis could hunt and fish for food, and that they did not need licenses.
2006
In April, the Metis in Manitoba launched a court case seeking compensation for land promised, but not delivered in the Manitoba Act.