The Elizabeth Metis Colony was created in 1970. It was named for the wife of Métis leader Joe Dion. Joe Dion was the first president of the Metis Association of Alberta and was instrumental in setting up the Metis settlements. He spent one year in Elizabeth serving as supervisor and schoolteacher. Administration of all Metis colonies changed under the Metis Settlements Act of 1990 by an act of the Legislative Assembly at which time the entity name became “settlement.”