The McMurray Métis have launched a review of Moccasin Flats.
Moccasin Flats was a Métis settlement that was demolished by the town of Fort McMurray in the late 1970s to early 1980s.
The Syncrude Towers are built on the demolished settlement.
“The Town of Fort McMurray and the Government of Alberta redefined the Métis space of Moccasin Flats as Crown Land and town property. Labelling the Métis families who lived there as ‘squatters’. The Moccasin Flats residents were moved to lower quality housing and separated from the Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers. The long term social, economic and cultural impacts haven’t been fully examined until now,” said Bill Loutitt, Chief Executive Officer of McMurray Métis.
The Métis community hopes the review will document a timeline of events surrounding the evictions, importance of the site, the impact it has had on the Métis community and the regions priorities for reconciliation.
“No comprehensive study of the evictions at Moccasin Flats or the impacts on the Métis families has been completed to date. If you or your family was affected, we want to hear from you. Our goal at the end of this 5?month fact finding mission is to help the local Métis communities heal from this horrible injustice,” said Gail Gallupe, President of McMurray Métis.
The project will use oral history interviews, land based research, mapping and archival research to produce a comprehensive history of the site and evictions.
The report is expected to be complete in September 2018.
If you, your family or friends lived at Moccasin Flats or have firsthand knowledge you’re asked to contact the McMurray Métis at 780-743-2659 or email at reception@mcmurraymetis.org.
