Fort McKay Mtis feeling 'forgotten' by Alberta government

The president of theMtiscommunity in Fort McKayhas fired off a letter to the Alberta government complaining the group was left out of a recent announcement about air quality in the region.

In his Sept. 23letter, Ron Quintal said Mtiswho live in the area north of Fort McMurrayfeel ignored by RachelNotley's government,which has promised a new relationship with Indigenous people.

"Forgetting one key Aboriginal community in the heart of the oilsands is in my mind negligent," said Quintal, adding he's demanding to meet with Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan and Health Minister Sarah Hoffman.

Last week, Hoffman was joined by Jim Boucher, chief of the Fort McKayFirst Nation, when the government released a study looking at ways to improve air quality.

"Government officials literally drove through our community to get to the announcement," Quintalsaid in his letter. "An announcement about our air quality."

He said not being invited to the news conference was especially frustrating since people from his community breathe the same air as the nearby First Nation andhave complained about the impact of oilsands operations on the air quality for many years.

"We were excluded from something that affects us so near and dear to the core of our community's health," he said.

Quintal said it was baffling that the province had gathered data for the air-quality study from monitoring stations that are jointly managed by the Fort McKay Mtis, yet the community only got one day'snotice there was going to be a news conference about the results.

"We thought there would be more inclusion and that's the frustration that we have," said Quintal.

In the letter, he said Mtisin Alberta are not seeingevidence that the government is living up to its commitment to improve relations and consultations with them.

Government taking concerns seriously

Alberta Health said it takes the concerns raised by Quintal seriously butis not making any apologies.

The ministry explained that the reason the Fort McKay First Nation was involved in the announcement was because it made the initial request that a study be done through Alberta's Energy Regulator and Alberta Health.

A spokesperson said staff for Minister Sarah Hoffman have been working at setting up a meeting with Quintal since receiving his letter.

"My office is reaching out to president Quintal so we can hear the concerns of Fort McKayMtisfirsthand, and discuss their role going forward," a statement from Hoffman said.