Metis mark Proclamation Day

EDMONTON The Metis Settlements of Alberta celebrated Proclamation Day Thursday with a flag-raising ceremony outside the Federal Building.

Nov. 1 marked 28 years since the settlements and Alberta government made history by granting Metis people protected lands in the province — the only agreement of its kind in Canada.

The Metis Settlements Accord followed several years of intense negotiation.

Metis Settlements General Council president Gerald Cunningham said in a statement the agreement gave his people a home from which to build new opportunities for the future, while substantiating a significant part of Alberta and Canadian history.

“We are here today because of the strong and relentless vision of our fathers of the federation,” he said.

“From them and their works we have thrived under generations of Metis leaders.”