Effort to map Indigenous territories in Alberta going into second decade

A provincial program to map traditional First Nations and Métis territories continues to cause unease in Indigenous communities as the project enters its second decade of work.

“I’ve had concerns about it from the get-go,” said Chief Richard Kappo of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

His community in northwest Alberta declined to participate in the First Nations Geodata Mapping Project, which launched in 2007. In 2015, a related effort, the Métis Settlement Geodata Mapping Project, began.

“It gives us a chance to ensure whenever industry proponents are planning to cut a tree or dig a hole, they need to consult with the nations,” said Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan. “We’re both trying to figure out what’s an honest description of traditional lands.”

But Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, about 110 km east of Grande Prairie, stands to lose, Kappo said. The Alberta government previously mapped the territory to form a basis for a land claim, he said.

“Now we have people from all over different tribes claiming traditional territory in our 1990 area ... We have no way of opposing that because we can’t dispute their information,” he said.

By March 31, all 48 First Nations in Alberta had a draft map in hand, with 19 in possession of a revised version, Feehan said. It puts the project well ahead of schedule, which aimed to have draft maps completed by the end of the year.

Indigenous communities review their own history, speak with elders and consult on what their territory includes before negotiating a final version with government, he said.

The project operates on a three- to five-year contract costing $250,000, according to the Alberta government. There are two staff members working full-time to create hard-copy maps.

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation was the only nation to refuse to engage in the process, Feehan said, but others have voiced concerns. The government shares the maps with communities regardless of whether they participate.

“I was on the fence ... I’m very hesitant; not all the information that I have will get passed on,” said Bryant McDonald, Enoch Cree Nation consultation supervisor.

“It’s really tough to get our elders to share information ... (They) have lived through some horrible times and it is very hard for them to trust.”

He said Indigenous communities that have overlapping territories are taking a collaborative approach. The Enoch Cree Nation, west of Edmonton, shares history with Maskwacis to the south and Alexander First Nation to the north, he said.

“We’re not going to fight about it because when it’s all said and done, we all shared those territories.”

The maps won’t be shared publicly or with industry, Feehan said, explaining they will be used to tell companies what nations intersect with project sites.

“If they have a traditional sacred site, the last thing they want is some map on a government website that says, ‘This is where ... a sacred ceremony occurs,’” Feehan said.

Dave Hanson, UCP MLA for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills, said the mapping is a useful tool, but suggested a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling could cause delays.

The 2016 Daniels decision said Métis people and non-status Indians should be considered “Indians” under the Constitution. Métis leaders lauded the decision as opening the door to negotiate with the Crown.

Hanson noted it could cause confusion over territorial boundaries.

“A lot of times, the boundaries of the Métis settlements are within close proximity with First Nations, as well.”