ABOUT US

Who are the Métis?

“Métis” means a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Indigenous peoples, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry, and who is accepted by the Métis Nation.

Registry and citizenship with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta is based upon the National Definition of Métis, which was passed in August 2003 at the Annual General Assembly in Edmonton.

Definition: “Métis means a person who self-identifies as Metis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation”
Historical Proof: refers to evidence of an ancestor who received a land grant or a scrip granted under the Manitoba Act or the Dominion Lands Act, or who was recognized as Métis in other government, church or community records.
Historic Métis Nation: refers to the Aboriginal people then known as Métis or half-breeds who resided in the Historic Métis Nation Homeland.
Historic Métis Nation Homeland: is the area of land in the west-central North America used and occupied as the traditional territory of the Métis or Half-breeds as they were then known.
Métis Nation: means Aboriginal people descended from the Historic Métis Nation, which is now comprised of all Métis Nation peoples and is one of the “aboriginal peoples of Canada” within the meaning of s.35 of the Constitution Act 1982.
Distinct from other Aboriginal peoples: means distinct for cultural and nationhood purpose.

How to apply for Métis citizenship:

To apply for your Métis card, please visit our provincial website, as the Registry Department handles all applications for Métis citizenship throughout the province and not our the district office. For more information visit: https://albertametis.com/registry/guidelines-and-requirement/

Rocky View Metis District

Source of Map: Otimpemisiwak Metis Government, District Atlas, 2024

Rocky View Métis District

Along with five other Métis Districts, Rocky View Métis District is located in Battle River Territory of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta.

To see which District your hamlet, town, or city belongs to please use this online tool:

Otipemisiwak Metis Government District Overview

alternatively you can consult a current copy of the Otimpemisiwak Métis Government District Altas for further information.

Land Acknowledgement Protocol

This psection is designed to guide the appropriate language for referring to Métis lands and people in your Indigenous land acknowledgements within Alberta.

When referring to Métis and acknowledging the territory you are on throughout Alberta, it is appropriate to say that you are “within the Métis Nation homeland.” When referring to people who live on the lands, it is appropriate to use the terms "Métis" or "Otipemisiwak" [oh-tih-pem-soo-wuk] or [Oh-teh-pim-swak], meaning “the people who rule themselves".

If you would like to refer to an Otipemisiwak Métis Government District(s) or Territory, please refer to them by name and not by their district number.

For our District we recommend: "Otipemisiwak Métis Government - Rocky View Métis District" OR "Rocky View Métis District located within the Métis Nation homeland".

The Métis Nation within Alberta is recognized as a rights-bearing collective, with inherent rights to self determination and self-government acknowledged in the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution (2022) and the Métis Nation within Alberta Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement (2023).

A note on protocol: It is important to understand that land acknowledgments are intended for settlers to recognize Indigenous Peoples' connection to the land they inhabit. As such, it's inappropriate to ask an Indigenous person or people to perform this acknowledgment. Thank you for utilizing these guidelines in the development of your Indigenous land acknowledgments and ensuring accurate representation and respect for the Citizens of the Métis Nation within Alberta.

District Council of Rocky View Métis District is a non-profit organization. P.O. Box 2097, Cochrane, AB T4C 1B8