Metis land deal set for spring

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The Metis people may be close to achieving a permanent land settlement with the Alberta government that could form the model for future Aboriginal land agreements right across the country.

Alberta Metis may be given ownership of 1.25 million acres of land and win some form of self-government by next spring, says Premier Don Getty.

Although the deal is still in the planning stages, Alberta government officials are optimistic that the Metis people will accept a municipal-style form of self-government. The issue will be dealt with during the spring sitting of the legislature.

"We'll be moving with an amendment to the Alberta Act and have that entrenched in the Constitution ourselves for the Metis people of Alberta," Getty told the Edmonton Sun.

However, although the Metis people will receive land they will not receive any provincial funding as part of the deal.