The Otipemisiwak Métis Government is bringing its 98th annual Citizens’ Gathering to Slave Lake, Alberta, from August 20 to 22, 2026. The three-day event celebrates Métis culture and community with programming open to everyone.
The gathering starts at Big Fish Bay RV Resort on August 20, then moves to the Multi-Rec Centre at 305 6 Ave SW for August 21 and 22. Organizers say the event is a chance for Métis citizens and local residents to connect through cultural activities.
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government traces its roots to 1928, when Métis leaders founded the first association to advocate for their rights. The name Otipemisiwak is a Plains Cree word meaning “the people who own themselves,” reflecting the group’s focus on self-determination. In 2023, the organization signed a self-government agreement with Canada and formally adopted its current name.
The group represents more than 72,000 registered citizens across Alberta, making it the largest federally recognized Métis government in the country. President Andrea Sandmaier was elected in September 2023 with 73 percent of the vote in what was the largest Indigenous leadership vote in Canadian history, with 8,167 ballots cast.
This year’s gathering has special meaning because it marks 98 years since that first meeting, and it is being held in the Lesser Slave Lake area for the first time in recent memory. The region is home to a historic Métis community and is one of the government’s 22 districts, stretching from Slave Lake to High Prairie, Grouard, Gift Lake and 13 other northern communities.
The 2025 event was held at Métis Crossing near Smoky Lake and included representatives from Métis governments in Ontario and Saskatchewan. Organizers expect a similar spirit of celebration and connection in Slave Lake this August.
