In 1990, Alberta passed legislation enabling permanent Métis settlements. Which acts were included and what rights did the Métis receive?

• A. Constitution of Alberta Amendment Act; Métis Settlements Accord Implementation Act; Métis Settlements Act; Métis Settlements Land Protection Act; right to participate in oil and gas development on settlement lands.
• B. The federal government took ownership of all settlement lands.
• C. It dissolved all Métis settlements and revoked self-government rights.
• D. It established Métis lands with the right for Métis to govern their own schools.

Answer: (A)

Alberta’s move in 1990 was to formalize permanent Métis settlements through a package of laws that create self‑government, protect land, and ensure a say in how resources on settlement lands are used. The Constitution of Alberta Amendment Act recognized the existence of permanent settlements within the province’s framework. The Métis Settlements Accord Implementation Act put the Métis Settlements Accord into provincial law, turning the agreement into real rights and structures. The Métis Settlements Act established the settlements themselves and set up elected councils to govern local matters. The Métis Settlements Land Protection Act protected settlement lands from arbitrary loss or interference, safeguarding the land base needed for communities to thrive. A key outcome of these laws is the right for Métis to participate in oil and gas development on settlement lands, providing a voice in how resources are managed and benefiting from development there. This combination reflects the move toward recognized self‑governance and economic rights within Alberta, rather than shifting ownership to the federal government, dissolving settlements, or focusing solely on schooling governance.