As President and Founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women she works tirelessly and lends her expertise on the issues confronting Aboriginal Women. Under her leadership, IAAW created the Esquao Awards, a province wide recognition for Aboriginal Women. This annual event has grown over the past 16 years to attract 1000 people bringing government, corporations and community together to honour the significant accomplishments of over 340 Aboriginal Women in 76 Alberta communities.

Premier Peter Lougheed appointed her as one of the first seven Commissioners of the Alberta Human Rights Commission in 1973 serving for four years. Currently she chairs the Aboriginal Commission on Human Rights & Justice and was instrumental in producing “The Rights Path – Alberta” a holistic booklet produced to inform Aboriginal people of their human rights, and the report “The Aboriginal Perspective on Human Rights in Alberta”.

Muriel received the 1998 Alberta Human Rights Award, the Queen’s Medal in 2002 and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 2004 for her work in bringing Justice to the Aboriginal community. In 2005, she received the Order of Canada, the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal in honour of the Person’s Case and the Alberta Government Centennial Medal. Alberta Venture Magazine named her as one of the 2006 fifty most influential people in Alberta. In November 2007, Canadian Ambassador McNee recognized her work at the United Nations citing her as a “Human Rights Defender” pertaining to Aboriginal women, children and families. From September 2008 – 2011, she served as Vice President of the Métis Nation of Alberta.

In June 2010, Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton honoured her as a Distinguished Citizen by presenting her with an Honorary Bachelor of Arts Degree.