Citizenship & Harvesting
Becoming a Citizen of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government within Alberta is an important part of preserving our culture and history. Apply for citizenship today!
BENEFITS OF CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship allows access to programs and services like:
- Supports for children and families
- Health & wellness programs
- Educational resources and scholarships
- Housing programs and grants.
Join in cultural opportunities such as: family camps, youth hangouts, and seniors gatherings. Use your Citizenship to get a 5-year parks pass as part of the Indigenous Peoples Open Doors Program. Recognized harvesters can connect their card to their RELM account.
CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Download and print an application form for your Otipemisiwak Métis Government within Alberta citizenship.
- Application for Citizenship
(please save PDF to your device before filling out form)
Original documents are not required, you may submit photocopies or scans of your documents with your application package. Any missing information or documentation will result in a delay of your application.
Once completed, the application can be mailed, emailed, or delivered in-person.
Mail:
ATTN: Registry
Otipemisiwak Métis Government
#100 Delia Gray Building
11738 Kingsway Avenue
Edmonton AB T5G 0X5
Email: Citizenship@Metis.org
In-person /Registry Drives:
You can deliver your application to the Provincial Office in Edmonton or bring your application package to a Registry Drive near you. Commissioner of Oaths and photos will be taken on site. Harvesting applications will also be accepted.
Intake hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
APPLYING FOR METIS CITIZENSHIP
In addition to meeting the National Definition of Métis, you must also submit the following documents:
- Family Tree
- Birth Certificate
- Identification
- Proof of Residency
Watch the video to find out more about the application process.
For more information, please contact the Registry Department:
Email: Citizenship@Metis.org
Phone: 780-455-2200
Toll Free: 1-877-454-0684
Citizens of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government have specific hunting and fishing rights in Alberta. The Métis Harvesting in Alberta Policy [pdf] came into effect September 1, 2019. The policy allows approved Citizens to hunt, fish, and trap for food in larger harvesting areas.
HARVESTING INFORMATION
Our 2019 Harvesting brochure [pdf] contains harvesting details and answers to questions like “who can or how can I apply?” or “when and where can I harvest?” in one convenient place.
WHAT’S THE BENEFIT?
The Harvesting policy allows you to exercise your Section 35 rights and engage in traditional Métis ways of life. Once your Harvester Card is issued you may hunt any game in Alberta (excluding: endangered, threatened or at-risk species) in your approved Harvesting Area. You no longer need to apply for tags or a hunting license with Fish & Wildlife.
FISHING INFORMATION
Free Fishing Licences for Harvesters through Alberta RELM
Our Harvesting Team works with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to better serve our harvesters. We can process and update Alberta RELM accounts of our approved harvesters!
Update your Alberta RELM account to “Recognized Métis Harvester” and get your free Domestic Fishing License (DFL) with your Wildlife Identification Number (WiN).
Think you have an account and WiN, but can’t remember password or number? Call the RELM Help Desk at 1-888-944-5494 for assistance. They will give your existing number and reset your password.
Domestic fishing rules, regulations, and conditions 2025-2026 (PDF)
Please be advised that the Domestic Fishing Licence Conditions have been updated for 2025-2026. Please refer to and adhere to these regulations.
If you have any questions, please email harvesting@metis.org with “Domestic Fishing License” in the subject line.
Métis Culture
The Métis are a distinct group of Indigenous people with a unique culture, history, and language.
Through our shared past, we have developed many symbols that identify the Métis and make us proud to be who we are, including the Red River cart, Métis sash, fiddle, and many styles of jigging.
SYMBOLS OF MÉTIS CULTURE
Our 2019 Harvesting brochure [pdf] contains harvesting details and answers to questions like “who can or how can I apply?” or “when and where can I harvest?” in one convenient place.
THE LANGUAGE OF THE MÉTIS
Métis people have long lived within rich multilingual environments across their homelands. Today, Métis communities speak and work to revitalize several Métis languages, including nêhiyawêwin/Cree, Northern Michif, French Michif, and Southern Michif. These languages reflect generations of family relationships, travel, trade, and deep connections to land and community.
Our work focuses on supporting the revitalization of Métis languages through collaboration with Elders, Speakers, learner speakers, educators, and communities. This includes developing learning opportunities, documentation, and resources that reflect the voices and knowledge of Métis communities.
THE MÉTIS ANTHEM
Proud to be Métis
Lyrics by Clint Buehler
Music by Dennis Charney
In the forest, on the river, and across the western plain,
As the white man journeyed westward to the land of the Indian.
A new race was created, a new nation rose up strong.
Hardship as its destiny, and its curse to not belong.
In the land from which they came, in the land they helped to build.
They found themselves the alien, found their vision unfulfilled.
And despite their valiant effort to defend what they believe.
When at last the battle ended, they were only left to grieve.
[Chorus]
We are proud to be Métis, watch our Nation rise again.
Nevermore forgotten people, we’re the true Canadian.
From across the plain they travelled, from Red River to the Peace.
Looking for their own homeland that would help them to replace,
All the land that had been taken, and the dreams that had been dashed.
Their brave heroes now called traitors, and courageous deeds now passed.
But their spirit was not broken, and their dreams have never died.
Their determination strengthened, even while the people cried,
As they waited for the battle that would end their years of pain,
And the final bloodless battle, when the Nation rose again.
[Chorus]
We are proud to be Métis, watch our Nation rise again.
Nevermore forgotten people, we’re the true Canadian.
For this newest generation and the future ones to come,
With the past to motivate us, it will help to keep us strong.
As we build the Métis Nation, as we watch it rise again,
Our past loss is motivation, to inspire our future gain.
[Chorus]
We are proud to be Métis, watch our Nation rise again.
Nevermore forgotten people, we’re the true Canadian.
We are proud to be Métis, watch our Nation rise again.
Nevermore forgotten people, we’re the true Canadian.
Download your own .mp3 copy of Proud to be Métis.
Métis Rights
Current and historical information on the status of Métis rights.
WHAT ARE MÉTIS RIGHTS?
Métis rights are classified into two categories:
- Land and Resource Rights
- Self-Governing Rights
The Métis have fought on the battlefield, in the courts, and government meeting rooms to have our rights recognized for generations. We desire greater control over our lives within Canada, just as we had in the 1869 and 1885 resistance struggles.
This section provides current and historical information about Métis rights, including rights to harvesting, land claims, and consultation. Updates on current Métis rights can be found on the Otipemisiwak Métis Government website News page, while past publications on Métis rights are filed under Archived Métis Rights Publications page. Publications released after 2016 can be found in the Resources tab.
MÉTIS LAW IN CANADA
To date, the Métis Nation has succeeded in bringing three cases forward to the Supreme Court: Daniels vs. Canada (2016), R. vs. Powley (2003), and The Manitoba Métis Federation vs. Canada (2013).
Indigenous rights lawyer, Jean Teillet, has provided a comprehensive overview of Métis case law in Canada in her report titled Métis Law in Canada [pdf], which was first published in 1999.
Métis Law in Canada, is the only comprehensive analysis of all modern Canadian Métis case law.
Programs & Services
We work to provide culturally-appropriate, self-directed social, wellness, and economic opportunities for Métis individuals, families, and communities.
Please check back soon for Programs & Services offered by Foothills Métis District 1
Click here for Programs & Services offered by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government