What organization holds the collective rights to Métis settlement lands in Alberta?

• A. Métis Nation of Alberta
• B. The Métis Settlements General Council
• C. Alberta Crown
• D. Canadian Government

Answer: (B)

In Alberta, Métis settlement lands are held as a collective trust for the Métis settlements, not by individual settlers. The Métis Settlements General Council serves as the representative body that holds and exercises the collective rights to the land and its resources on behalf of all twelve settlements. This arrangement, established to recognize and protect the unique status of Métis settlements, is defined by the Metis Settlements Act. While the Crown (on behalf of the Alberta government) retains ownership in law, the actual rights and governance of the land are exercised through the settlements via the MSGC. The other organizations represent Métis people more broadly or the government, but they do not hold the collective land rights for the settlements.