Zone 1 Metis seeking municipal partnerships

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Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Zone 1 is actively pursuing framework agreements with the municipal governments within its boundaries.

Those agreements would cover issues such as housing, employment, education, and economic development.

"The Metis people do not settle in the communities to depend on social assistance," said Zone 1 Vice-President Rick Boucher. "This initiative would give us respect and support for each other within our jurisdictions."

The Zone introduced its plan Jan. 24 and 25 at a town and municipalities conference in Lac la Biche; attendees included the mayors, reeves, and members of council from Lac la Biche, Lakeland County, Athabasca County, Boyle, and the M.D. of Opportunity.

"They were all very positive," said Boucher a few days later. "I had some good response from Lakeland County."

The M.D. of Wood Buffalo contacted Boucher later as well, and has invited him to make a presentation to council in the near future.

If their efforts are successful, Zone 1 leadership will be well on its way to making life a lot better for the people they serve.

"Actually, it could mean a lot of things," said President George Quintal. "(It's) our chance of working together with the municipal governments and find out what's going on."

Too many times, for example, jobs or contracts become available without anyone from the Zone's employment agency knowing about it; having a closer relationship with town, county, and municipal district councils could change that.

"They're the ones that know exactly what's coming up ahead of time. We could all sit down and plan what we're going to do," Quintal said.

That's not all.

"We have a shortage of houses," the president added. "The boom in Fort McMurray is really affecting all the small communities. A lot of people commute from (Lac la Biche)."

It would be easier to get some land for a housing program for Metis people in and around Lac la Biche if the Zone had municipal government on its side, Quintal said.

There is provincial precedent for Quintal's optimism.

The agreements Zone 1 is looking for are mirrored in the one the provincial MNA has with the governments of Alberta and Canada.

"It has assisted people in having access to programs and services," Audrey Poitras, MNA president, said on the first day of the conference.

"When we look at the number of calls that come into our office," she continued, "I believe that we have assisted."

Poitras was at the conference to show provincial support for the regional initiative, she said.

"You have to start with an expectation and work toward it. If you don't put it out there, you won't get it. It won't happen."