Manitoba Métis Federation and Metis Settlements General Council sign a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration

Press Release

May 28, 2026

Edmonton, Alberta – On May 21, 2026, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) – the National Government of the Red River Métis – and the Metis Settlements General Council (MSGC) – the central government for the 8 land-based Metis communities in Alberta -signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to express their commitment to work together and establish a joint working group.

The MoU is a joint expression of partnership and, among other things, commits the parties to working together to:

• Protect our shared and independent history and identity;
• Enhance our bond and support our relationships with other orders of government; and
• Honour our Veterans, Elders, families, youth, and children.

“Today marks a culmination of work building MSGC’s relationship with other Metis self-governments across Canada. This agreement with the MMF provides a more formalized structure to an already positive relationship of mutual respect. It also signals our commitment to advancing mutually beneficial outcomes between our citizens and our Settlements, and those served by the MMF. We look forward to the work ahead for collaboration and partnership between our governments,” said Dave Lamouche, President of the MSGC.

The MoU recognizes each government’s historic role in Métis advocacy and establishes each government’s contemporary responsibility to work together toward the betterment of their respective Citizens.

“The Metis Settlements play a critical role in the evolution of Métis rights, advocacy, and recognition in Canada,” said Ambassador Clément Chartier. “When the ‘Famous Five’ successfully advocated for a land-base for the Métis, it strengthened Métis recognition as a distinct people, shaped Métis political development, and expressed Métis self-government as something more than the administration of programs.”

“This agreement is more than just a statement of mutual understanding, it is a commitment to being good neighbours and working together to enhance our government-to-government relationship,” said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. “For nearly 30 years I’ve been pushing for inter-Indigenous treaties to be established, and I am hopeful that, with this signing, we will build toward a first-ever inter-Indigenous, government-to-government Treaty that will set a good foundation for future generations of leaders.”

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MEDIA CONTACT

Metis Settlements General Council
Catherine Keill, Executive Director
execdir@msgc.ca
780-822-4052

Manitoba Métis Federation
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca
204-801-7710

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