Whether or not Alberta recognizes the McMurray Metis as a historic community is important, especially to the 300 members of the group who would be eligible for certain rights that other Meti communities enjoy. These rights include fishing and hunting rights, and the right to force gas and oil companies to consult with the group on projects that could have an impact on the group or the lands that they inhabit. A recent report from 3 researchers who conducted comprehensive research that included hundreds of historical documents, hours of elder interviews, and family tree analysis states that the McMurray Metis should be considered a historic community and be eligible for all the rights that this designation involves. The report calls for the provincial government to recognize the group.

Timothy Clark and Dermot O’Connor authored the report on the McMurray Metis as a historic community. Willow Springs Solutions director Peter Fortna said “We looked at 200 oral history interviews and hundreds of pages of archival evidence, we came to the determination the Métis community does indeed meet the conditions. Some companies don’t feel they need to consult with the community because it’s not recognized. We’re hoping that by recognizing the community, it will trigger consultation with industry.” In 2003 the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a unanimous decision that members of the Metis community have hunting rights that are constitutionally protected after two Metis hunters, Steve Powley and Rod Powley, were charged with illegal hunting after they took a bull moose and tagged the animal with a Metis card.