MNA Zone 1 plans to initiate a land claim

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Metis Nation of Alberta Zone 1 executive have met with a lawyer to discuss a land claim on part of the Lakeland Provincial Park.

The area of concern represents a Metis settlement the province opened in 1939; it encompasses Touchwood and Seibert Lakes, on the east side of the park.

In 1938, the province passed the Metis Population Betterment Act; one result of that act was the establishment of 12 Metis settlements, eight of which still exist.

The Touchwood/Seibert settlement was rescinded a year after it was provided, in 1940.

"We want to know why," said Zone 1 Vice-President Rick Boucher. "(It was done) without consulting with the Metis people and that's why we want to bring this up again."

The Zone is inspired by Cold Lake First Nation, which recently had success negotiating a $250 million land claim of its own.

"The way I look at it," Boucher said, "is if they're getting it, why can't we?"

When the Touchwood/Seibert settlement was rescinded, Metis people had to leave the area, Boucher said. They haven't forgotten.

"My father remembers people living there," he said. "The question of the Touchwood Lake/Seibert Lake colony has been on the minds of the Metis people in this region for a long time, particularly the elderly people. No one really knew what to do."

Launching a claim could get Zone 1 the investment dollars it needs to take advantage of some of the oil and gas opportunities that have come their way lately, including the development of pipeline infrastructure and compressor sites.

"It is a pressure tactic," admitted Myles Arnfinson, economic development officer.

Another option, Arnfinson suggested, is to hand over the land for economic development.

That option appeals to Boucher, too.

"Actually, personally, I'd like to see us have that land back," the vice-president said. "That's my first choice, is to have that land back."

Either way, a land claim could get them some much-desired recognition.

"Non-land-based Metis people have no say on what happens to territories that were their traditional lands," Arnfinson said. "The Metis people would like to be at the table discussing what happens to the nation."