Metis hold a recognized Aboriginal title to their lands, which was never extinguished. Legislative measures taken by the Federal and Provincial governments have not diminished the legitimacy of the Metis' claim to land. The Metis of Manitoba have chosen litigation to seek a long deferred settlement of their land rights. The preference, however, would be to find a political solution to the issues, one that would take into account contemporary realities and provide for reparations in the form of land and cash settlements. As matters stood in 1989, the Province was willing to let the courts resolve the Metis claim, on the assumption that the major liability will be assigned to the Federal Government. The Federal Government, on the other hand, has exerted every effort to block a litigation process and so far has resisted negotiations. In Saskatchewan, the Province recently transferred several thousand acres of land called "Metis Farms" to community-based Metis authorities-with the proviso that the land be turned over to individual Metis families in "fee simple" in ten years (1998). The Province's rationale for the land concessions is that it is in the economic interest of those Metis concerned and not a settlement of a statutory right to land. IN Alberta, two bills were before the legislature which address issues of title and local government powers specifically for Metis who live on the "Colony" lands set aside in the 1930's through the Government of Alberta's "Metis Betterment Act". Provision is also made for local governments with delegated