Alexander First Nation

Population

, Alexander First Nation had 2,263 official members, and an on-reserve population of 1,057.

Lands

In the reserve land provision of Treaty 6, which was signed in 1877, the Alexander First Nation was promised 128 acres per citizen in a land entitlement agreement. Census issues later resulted in a shortfall of land, and a claim was accepted by Canada in 1992 after First Nation research demonstrated the shortfall. At a formal ceremony in October 1998 at the Alexander First Nation Community Hall, the government of Canada, the government of Alberta, and the Alexander First Nation announced the fulfillment of Treaty 6. Alexander First Nation was given an additional 15,140 acres of reserve land and $10 million was put into a trust to be used "solely for the purchase of land and the long-term benefit and use of Alexander and its members."

The Alexander First Nation operates three reservations:

• Alexander 134
• Alexander 134A
• Alexander 134B

Government

Chiefs

List of historic chiefs: |access-date=13 August 2019

• Alexander Arcand (1877–1914)
• Edward Arcand (1914–1936)
• Emile Burnstick (1936–1937)
• Alexis Arcand (1937–1950)
• Adam Auigbelle (1950–1955)
• John Gladue (1955–1959)
• Fred Arcand (1959–1961)
• Sr. Henry Paul (1961–1963)
• James Arcand (1963–1965)
• Peter Lafleche (Aug.1965–Oct.1965)
• Henry Paul (1965–1969)
• Alex Auigbelle (1969–1971)
• George Lafleche (1971–1973)
• Fred Arcand Sr. (1973–1976
• James Arcand (February 1977–September 1977)
• Leo Bruno (1977–1979)
• Stanley Arcand (1979–1986)
• Allan Paul (1986–1990)
• Stanley Arcand (1990–1999)
• Victoria Arcand (1999–2005)
• Raymand Arcand (2005–2008)
• Allan Paul (2008–2011)
• Herbert Arcand (2011–2014)
• Kurt Burnstick (2014–August 2017)
• no chief (August 2017–October 2017)
• Kurt Burnstick (October 2017–August 2020)
• George Arcand (Jr) (September 2020 – Present)

Elections

In 2011, voter eligibility rules at the First Nation were challenged as discriminatory, as First Nation members not living on the reservation were not allowed to vote.{{cite news

The results of a 13 July 2017 election saw Burnstick re-elected, with those results overturned the following month by an appeal board that ruled that "a regulation requiring the unanimous consent of chief and council for an early election call had been violated." After the quashed election results, there was no elected council in place as of 31 August 2017.{{cite news

Social policy

The nation's stated mission is "To protect our Inherent Treaty Rights through tactical initiatives, community enhancement, law development and continuous improvement." |access-date=13 August 2019

Resources and support for the community are regulated by Alexander First Nation Social Development. The Wapski Mahikan Society was provided to support children and families "within the society's jurisdiction." |access-date=August 13, 2019

Economy and finances

In September 2016, CBC News reported that some residents on the reserve had been waiting on power poles and running water for six years, with three prior chiefs and councils saying there was no funds to extend power lines.

According to CBC, their coverage of the audit in September 2016 had "prompted band members with similar complaints from other reserves to speak out across the country" by January 2017.

In July 2017, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada reported that $5.3 million in band payments at Alexander lacked sufficient documentation, between April 2010 and March 2016. The audit, performed by Ernst & Young, calculated $2.5 million of those funds coming from INA, with large unsupported funds going to Burnstick and Alphonse Arcand. At the band's request, on 11 September 2017, the Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs in Ottawa asserted that a "third-party co-manager" was "working to sort out" finances at Alexander First Nation.

Pipeline negotiations

Prior to 2013, Pembina Pipeline began negotiating with the First Nation as to placing a nearby pipeline, with the community supportive. Burnstick was elected chief in mid-2013, and according to Pembina, began engaging in talks over benefits with the company without the knowledge of the First Nation. After a three-year regulatory and legal battle with Burnstick, Pembina decided to cease negotiations and build around the reserve. In March 2017, members of the Alexander First Nation accused chief Burnstick of costing the community jobs and revenue with the failed negotiations.

Assault trials

As of September 2016, Kurt Burnstick was being pressured to resign as chief after facing three sexual assault charges concerning incidents from 2015 and 1985. The community group Alexander Women Warriors pushed for Burnstick to step down,

References

References

1. (April 2022). "Metis Settlements and First Nations in Alberta: Community Profiles". Ministry of Indigenous Relations.