Getty remembered as “true champion” for the Metis

February 29, 2016

Metis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras says Don Getty was a “steadfast friend” to the Metis people of the province.

Former Progressive Conservative Premier Don Getty passed away on Feb. 26 at the age of 82.

Getty served as premier from 1985 to 1992. During that time, he enacted legislation that helped advance self-governance for the Métis people. In 1990, the Métis Settlements Act was passed, which turned over control of 1.25 million acres of land affirming eight Métis settlements in northern Alberta and led to the creation of the Métis Settlements General Council. Alberta is the only province with land set aside for Métis people.

As well, Getty oversaw the signing of the first Government of Alberta-Métis Nation of Alberta Framework Agreement in 1987. That agreement was the first step towards advancing self-government aspirations of the over 50,000 Métis people not living on Métis settlements. A key goal of the framework agreement was to establish practical methods of achieving Métis self-government and to work towards improved opportunities for Métis in Alberta.

In a statement, Poitras called Getty’s work with the Metis people “enlightened.”

Premier Rachel Notley also singled out Getty’s work with the Metis as one of his accomplishments.

“His contributions to our province are many, including his work to establish Albertans’ constitutional rights as owners of our province’s natural resources, his role in the creation of the Heritage Savings Trust Fund, the introduction of self-government for Metis settlements, and economic diversification in the sectors of forestry, tourism, technology and non-conventional energy,” Notley said in a statement.

“Mr. Getty’s legacy will not soon be forgotten. We will remember his great contributions towards Métis rights in Alberta. Don Getty was a true champion for the Métis people,” said Poitras.

A state funeral for Getty will be held this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral in downtown Edmonton. More details on the state funeral are still to come.

Members of the public can pay tribute to Getty by signing memorial books in the Alberta Legislature's rotunda in Edmonton, and at the McDougall Centre in Calgary.