Seven Métis communities across northern Alberta are planning on leaving the Métis Nation of Alberta.

A meeting is being held in Fort McMurray later this month where they plan on reaffirming their relationship with the Métis Nation Council.

The MNA had recently voted to leave the MNC after they suspended the Métis Nation of Ontario for membership violations.

Fort McKay Métis President Ron Quintal tells Mix News he believes many of these groups are feeling frustrated with the MNA overseeing their community.

“You got impacted communities who are dealing with oilsands development and energy development and they have no real say over how their community operates.”

Fort McKay declared self-governance in May 2019 so they could make the decisions regarding their community.

This decision was unanimously voted for by more than 30 of their members.

Quintal says many of these groups have reached out to them since they left the MNA.

“They’re looking at the fact that we govern ourselves and we manage the issues that our community members face whether it be impacts from oilsands or social impacts associated with housing, addictions, and employment.”

The meeting will be held on February 26 at Shell Place.

Quintal believes this could be the first of many across the country.

“We have people reaching out from across Alberta and there are organizations within Canada that are reaching out to find out where we’re going.”

Meanwhile, James Cardinal, President of Region 1 for the MNA wants to see the community members make the decision.

“We are calling for a referendum in each of the 7 Locals, with a clear question, do you want to leave the Metis Nation of Alberta, Yes or No. This referendum must be conducted by an independent body, he said.

“All members of each Metis Local will vote in the referendum and not just a top down approach by the rogue leaders.”