Lac Ste. Anne Métis A unique community: The people of mânitow sâkahikanihk in West Central Alberta

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GML 55 held a Community Economic De-

velopment workshop on March 04, 2017 –

We had a great turn out to our CED event.

Approximately 30 members participated in

the day. Our member’s worked hard to

brainstorm and come up with a vision board

and provided input. The results of this work-

shop can be found in the CED Snapshot on

this page. The Local Council will follow up

on the expressed desires of community

members in the months and years to come.

With the benefit of Aboriginal Economic

Partnerships Program funding accessed through Alberta Indigenous Relations,

GML 55 commissioned a market assessment and feasibility study in the area of

Métis nature-based tourism. Follow-up

activities are in process with a detailed

report forthcoming at the fall 2017 AGM.

GML 55 is in discussions with Alberta

Powerline (Canadian Utilities) regarding

the potential for Metis participation as an

equity owner in the West Fort Mac West

500 KV Transmission Line. Updates forth-

coming in the near future.

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MAY 27, 2017

Volume 1, Issue 1

Photo of members who participated in the CED Event on March 4, 2017

Members brainstorming

Inside this issue

CED ...................................................... 1

Governance .......................................... 2

Métis Legal News ................................ 3

Industry & Government Relations .... 4

Community Sponsorship ................... 5

Annual General Meeting 2016 ............ 6

Local Metis Recipes ............................. 7

Upcoming Events/Métis Harvesting . 8

Murleen Crossen, giving the president’s report at the AGM on Dec 3, 2016

Vision: Drawing upon our past to empower a culturally strong, self-determined and engaged Lac Ste. Anne Métis community.

Mission: Leading a thriving, resurgent Lac Ste. Anne Métis community through ongoing dialogue, cultural restoration, and delivery of programs and services.

Current priorities: Good Governance Creating Sustainability and Prosperity Community Planning and Action Education and Training

“Gunn Métis Local #55 (GML 55) is governed by an elected Local

Council that is accountable to the GML 55 membership.”

In 2015, the Local Council undertook strategic planning activities that produced the following direction:

GOVERNANCE

CURRENT BOARD

Murleen Crossen, President

Tracy L. Friedel, Vice President

Leslie Moncrieff, Treasurer

Athena McKenzie, Secretary

Leo Rondiak, Director

Ray Daniels, Director

Aidan Crossen, Director

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Métis Legal News

I n April, 2016 Daniels v. Canada legal decision, the Supreme Court

of Canada found that "Métis and non-status Indians are ‘Indians’

under s. 91(24) of the Constitution”. So what exactly does this

mean?

First of all, it is important to note that Sections 91 (as well as Section

92) of the Constitution Act, 1982 identify areas and jurisdictions which

each the federal and provincial governments may make laws

about. Important to note is that the federal and provincial governments

are prohibited from passing laws that would intentionally impact an

area under the exclusive jurisdiction of the other level of government.

Each level of government is also prohibited from passing laws indirect-

ly affect the other level of government's ‘core’ jurisdiction. A well

known example falls under s. 91(24) which sets out that it is only the

federal government that can pass laws regarding ‘lands reserved for the Indians’.

This is why the provinces can’t pass a law specifically about Indian reserves –Indian reserves are ‘lands

reserved for the Indians’ under s. 91(24) and, therefore, only the federal government can pass laws about

these lands.

In Daniels, the Supreme Court held that within s. 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1982, ‘Indians’ was in-

tended to include the Métis and non-status Indians. In other words, the constitutional authority to make

laws about Métis peoples and non-status Indians lies with the federal government. It is to the federal gov-

ernment that Métis peoples and non-status Indians should turn to for policies that can address their histori-

cal disadvantages.

It is important to note that the Daniels decision does not make Métis and non-status Indians ‘Indians’ under

the Indian Act. Additionally, precisely who the declaration applies to is a matter for future court decisions.

And finally, the Supreme Court judges did not set out that the federal government should do anything spe-

cific in response to the decision.

The Daniels decision does affirm the existence of a 'fiduciary relationship' between Canada and

the Métis and non-status Indians. In a fiduciary relationship, one party holds a position of trust over anoth-

er as this concerns possession over property or exercise over power. The party in the position of trust is

bound to hold the property or exercise the power for the benefit of another. Further development of the

concept itself (fiduciary relationship) and the obligations arising from it for Métis and non-status peoples

are as yet undetermined. What is known for certain is that the Crown’s fiduciary relationship with, indeed

obligations toward the Métis and non-status Indians has implications for the development and conduct of

government policy in matters that engage their respective interests.

The Supreme Court also affirmed the duty to consult and accommodate the Métis. This flows from protec-

tion of Métis constitutional rights under s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The test for establishing these

rights was set out in the R v. Powley decision of 2003.

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Group photo taken near

Jasper

C onsistent with the Powley and Daniels

decisions, the Local Council actively

engages with the Governments of Canada

and Alberta as part of ensuring each uphold the

honour of the Crown when it comes to the Lac Ste.

Anne Métis community.

FEDERAL ENGAGEMENT

GML 55’s recent involvement with the federal

government includes:

1. In recognition of the Lac Ste. Anne Métis com-

munity’s ties to the Jasper region, GML 55 has

recently become a member of the Jasper

Indigenous Forum.

2. GML 55 and the Mountain Métis Nation

(Grande Cache) participated in the following

reviews of federal environmental legislation:

- Environmental Assessment Act

- Fisheries Act

- Navigation Protection Act

- National Energy Board Modernization

3. In anticipation of Kinder Morgan proceeding

with the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX)

pipeline, GML 55 is a member of the Working

Group that is now in the process of developing

a TMX Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring

Committee. GML 55 is also engaged with vari-

ous federal departments with respect to the

TMX Economic Pathways Partnership.

4. GML 55, together with the Moun-

tain Métis (Grande Cache) are intervening in

the National Energy Board's review of the

Peace River Mainline Abandonment Project. A

Traditional Land Use study and historical re-

search are currently under way.

PROVINCIAL ENGAGEMENT

GML 55 has engaged with various Provincial

Ministries and regulatory bodies over the past

several months, including:

Intervenor in the Alberta Utilities Commission

hearing focused on Alberta Powerline's West Fort

Mac West 500 KV Transmission Line.

Related to our Metis rights and the importance of

environmental protection, GML 55 participated in

workshops/meetings including: Oil Sands Lease Continuation Policy Review

Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park

Management Plan

Changes to the Domestic Fishing License

Recovery Strategy for Woodland Caribou

MUNICIPAL ENGAGEMENT

GML 55 has been actively engaged with Parkland

County in relation to their new Muncipal

Development Plan and Tourism Think Tank.

GML 55 will soon open discussions with Lac Ste.

Anne County regarding ongoing co-management

of Dion Day Park at Gunn, AB.

TRADITIONAL LAND USE STUDIES

An important part of consultation activities is

working directly with proponents (project develop-

ers) to ensure that they understand the impacts of

industrial development on Lac Ste. Anne Métis

traditional territory. As such, GML 55 has devel-

oped a number of relationships with pipeline, utili-

ty and oil and gas companies over the past few

years. For a portion of the projects being devel-

oped on our traditional lands, GML 55 has carried

out Traditional Land Use studies. These studies

enable developers and regulators to better under-

stand how a development may impact harvesting

and other land uses, and also suggests ways to mit-

igate such impacts. If you are or have been a Lac

Ste. Anne Métis harvester (hunting, fishing, berry

picking, etc.) and are interested in participating in

a future study, please contact the GML 55 office at

your earliest

convenience.

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Community, Industry & Government Relations

Thanks to TransAlta for supporting our purchase of tents, tables and chairs for use at the annual Pilgrimage.

CALL OUT FOR SUMMER STUDENTS

GML 55 employed two university students in summer 2016 through the federal Canada

Summer Jobs (CJS) program. We will again be employing two students in summer 2017.

Students interested in working with GML 55 this summer should contact the office as soon as

possible (must be a post-secondary student registered for studies in both 2016-17 and 2017-18).

Mailing Address: Gunn Métis Local 55

P.O. Box 2057

Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1X6

Phone: (780) 591-5050

Email: lacsteannemetis@zoho.com

Office Location:

Family Connection Centre

5600 – 50 Street

Stony Plain, AB

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Community Sponsorship Community, Industry & Government Relations

In fall of 2016, GML 55 hosted a community event in Edson

to unveil oral history videos featuring local youth and Elders.

Much gratitude to Pembina Pipelines Corporation for their

generous sponsorship of this event.

Photos of Members at 2016 AGM

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ANNUAL GENERAL

MEETING 2016 AGM - December 03, 2016

Our Annual General Meeting on December 03 was also a Christmas

celebration. We had a keynote speaker and unveiled some of our Oral

History videos. Thank you to Pembina Pipelines for supporting this event.

It was a wonderful turn out with the Métis Child & Family jiggers and a live

band to dance the night away.

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According to my grandparents Jim and Ginny Todd, preparing and sharing food was always at the centre of the family life. Hunting and

gathering of food was a big part of our Métis way of life.

Preparing and sharing of food was only step two to eating a meal. Step one involved hunting and gathering the food out in the wild. My grand-

parents were like many other local Métis when it came to stocking the pantries. They both came from families who became very skilled at

finding delicious and healthy foods which they learned to harvest and bring home. Going out to gather food often became a community-based,

fun social affair where everyone was included. For example, when September came along, that meant the blueberries were ripe and the moose

were good and fat; the best time of year to go hunting and picking under blue skies and with warm weather.

Bennet wagons, large open wagons, pulled by horses went almost anywhere through the bush and would be packed with everything necessary

for a three or four-day camping trip. Everyone from babies to Elders went along on the trip. The elderly and very young rode in the wagons

and the rest of the group rode horseback or walked. The trip would begin early in the morning and continue throughout day until a good

camping spot was found to set up for lunch. A leisurely pace was set because some of the people would begin picking berries and shooting

game almost immediately upon leaving the community. No one was in a hurry and a feeling of fun and good cheer seemed to take over the

entire party. This way everyone could get some good exercise and fresh air in a group social setting. Children especially loved this activity

because of the extra freedom they were given to run and play.

The young people in the community were especially interested in these trips as it gave them opportunities to intermingle. Strict rules and

regulations within the community regarding various expressions of romantic interest were lessened to some degree in the freedom of the wilds.

Recipe for Muskeg Tea

When a rest stop was called; it was usually by a lake or creek where swimming races could be held so anyone who wanted to “show off” could.

Children were taught how to swim and also learned about water safety. Our grandfather, Shum (short for Mushum) would take some of us to

the nearest muskeg (mossy area) to get water so he could show us how to find water to make his muskeg tea. He would stomp down a small

area with his foot and press a clean tea towel into it; apparently, any cloth would work well, but he always used his special towel. As soon as he

completed that task he would then move on to picking muskeg tea and any berries that grew in the area. Then he would return to his dent in

the ground he had made a few minutes earlier to find that pure clear water had seeped up to fill the hole.

The towel prevented any moss, twigs or leaves from coming through. He would return to where the fire had been made to get the fresh water

boiling. As soon as it was boiled he emptied his muskeg tea leaves mixed with “store bought” black tea and berries to let it steep. The finished

tea was delicious and refreshing. “Shum” always made sure that extra muskeg tea was picked to use for the winter because he and many others

believed it would help you to stay healthier through the long winter months.

As soon as the lunch stop was called half the group took off in different directions: some to gather fire wood, some to check for berries, some

to check for the flour to make bannock. There was usually rabbits or grouse to roast on the open fire. Once the bannock dough was ready it

might be rolled around a stick for the children to toast over the open fire as they were usually very hungry by lunch time.

Bannock was cooked in a different way for the adults (and children too) who were traveling in the bush. A cast iron pot was carefully placed

over the open flames to melt whatever fat that was on hand to a high temperature so it could be used to deep fry the bread. The results were

both welcome and delicious especially to the children who had expelled so much energy laughing and playing along the way.

Recipe for Bannock (from Shirley Dion, Lac Ste. Anne, AB)

4 cups of flour AND 1 heaping tablespoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of salt AND 1 teaspoon of sugar

2 cups of water

1 tablespoon of fat

Pour flour into a bowl, add dry ingredients and mix together to work the fat in evenly. Make a well and pour in the water, now gently mix to-

gether to produce a ball of dough. Roll out the dough and lay it in a flat baking pan. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or

until bannock is done. The dough can be deep fried as well, after rolling out the dough cut it into 3 X 3 inch squares, poke holes or make slits

and deep fry in very hot oil.

Local Métis Recipes [Summer Season]

Story submitted by Karma Todd, Gunn Alberta

Saturday: Cemetery Clean-up & Community Lunch

June 10, 2017 Lac Ste. Anne Parish

9:30 – 1:00 pm

July 22-26, 2017: Community Tent @ the Pilgrimage

Lac Ste. Anne Parish

Tent hours to be announced

Annual General Fall 2017

Meeting: Date/time/location to be announced

Upcoming Events ... Lac Ste. Anne Métis

We are the descendants of the Cree (nehiyawewin)-

speaking Métis people of mânitow sâkahikanihk, Plains

Cree for ‘god’s lake’, in English known as Lac Ste. Anne.

Our community is descended from a network of self-

supporting families who occupied the landscape at

mânitow sâkahikanihk since the time before the arrival of

the Oblate missionaries in the mid-1800’s. Our Ancestors

themselves are descendants, many the children and

grandchildren of Iroquois (haudenosaunee) free men

and Cree:Métis (nehiyawak:apihtâwikosisâniskwêwak)

women.

At Lac Ste. Anne and various networked locations, the

stability and sustenance of place led to the creation of a

rich, unique cultural identity, and independent ways of

life that persist to the present day. encompassing a

significant portion of what today is understood as west

central Alberta.

ARE YOU AN APPROVED METIS HARVESTER?

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The Lac Ste. Anne Métis community is identified within the current Métis Harvesting Policy [June,

2010] as a historic/contemporary Métis community (a Powley community). GML 55 encourages

members to apply for their Métis harvester approval from any Fish & Wildlife office. Currently, the

Alberta government recognizes Métis harvesting to mean:

Hunting and net fishing season is open year round, which allows for transporting/storing wild

game. Net fishers must declare which lake they plan to harvest with a net.

Collecting berries, herbs, medicines, and feathers on crown lands, or privately owned lands

(where permission is obtained beforehand) that are located within a 160 km radius around Lac

Ste. Anne, or other historic/contemporary Métis community as stated on the letter that you receive

from Alberta Environment & Parks (the provincial department that includes Fish and Wildlife).

Once you have obtained your Métis harvesting letter, you will no longer have to pay for a hunting

license, special draw license, or a net fishing license, BUT until legislation changes, you will still have

to purchase a license if you wish to do any angle fishing (rod and reel).

Even after you have received your harvesting letter, you MUST still follow various hunting and

fishing regulations – please ask about these when you apply for your Metis harvesting letter.

Alberta Environment & Parks (AEP) has a genealogist on staff that will help you to determine which

Métis community you will be permitted to harvest around. AEP ultimately approves your application

and issues you a letter. If there are any questions about your application, they will notify you by mail.

If your request is not approved for any reason or if you wish assistance engaging with AEP, please do

not hesitate to contact Gunn Métis Local 55.

Please note that there is no age limit to apply for your Métis

harvesting approval – children of any age can apply (so please

consider applying for underage children at the same time as

you apply for yourself).