ISSUE NO. 98, DECEMBER 2017 Resistance, Resilience & Remembrance Louis Riel Day marked across the province See pages 5-7 The Honourable Dave Levac watches and MNO President Froh raises the Métis flag at the Ontario Legislature. The Path to Métis Remembrance Community Self-Government Day events and Pages 3-4 Page 13 activities Page 14-22 40025265 MÉTIS VOYAGEUR 2 December 2017, Issue no. 98 THE MÉTIS VOYAGEUR MESSAGE DECEMBER 2017 FROM THE Produced by the Métis Nation of Ontario Communications Branch: Julie Cruikshank PRESIDENT Mike Fedyk MARGARET FROH Jacob May Marc St. Germain his edition of the Métis Voyageur covers the fall and the early winter, which are always Contributors: very busy times for Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens. While our harvesters Richard Aubin spend many days in the forest hunting and gathering the food that our families and Tracy Bald Colleen Brunelle communities depend on over the winter, we also keep very active organizing harvest Laura-Lee Burey Devora Cascante Tevents and other community celebrations. Through all of this activity, the important work of the Jerry Clarke MNO; advancing Métis rights and self-government continues to advance at a quickening pace. Catherine Corbett Chris Ensing Amanda Farrell MNO Registry and Self-Government recent efforts on page 13. our older citizens who continues to excel in Margaret Froh sporting competitions even while approaching Pearl Gabona Readiness Process Greg Garratt Louis Riel Day his senior years while another story talks about Steve Gjos On October 22, the Provisional Coun- one of our younger citizens who is making a Reta Gordon cil of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) Louis Riel Day is always one of the most name for herself in synchronized swimming. Donna Grayer launched one of the most important initiatives important dates on the Métis calendar right We are also always very proud when one of Anne Huguenin in the nearly 25 year history of the MNO. The across the homeland. This year, for the first our citizens, like Ernest Matton receives the Debbie Ferris-Gianmmottalolla MNO Registry and Self-Government Readi- time and in accordance with the resolution at Order of Ontario; for his outstanding work in Larry J. Ferris ness Process (RSRP) will involve a review of all the last MNO Annual General Assembly, the the field of health and wellness. Yvonne Jensen Diane Kilbycc existing MNO citizenships files and is ground- provincial Louis Riel Day ceremony was not Christa Lemelin ing in solidifying the integrity of the MNO Reg- hosted at the Northwest Rebellion monument. Best of the season Glen Lipinski istry and preparing for upcoming negotiations The ceremony was moved near the Legislative Guy Mandeville on Métis rights and self-government. You can Building at Queen’s Park where it continued to This will be the last edition of the Métis Voya- Kristin McCoy read more about the RSRP on page 3. demonstrate the MNO dedication to the legacy geur for 2017. This was another banner year Yasir Naqvi The importance of moving ahead on the of Louis Riel. Stories about Louis Riel Day can for the MNO and I am grateful to be part of Joseph Paquette Verna Porter-Brunelle RSRP is highlighted by the story on page 9 be found on pages 5-7. this dynamic nation. I want to thank my fel- Lisa Poulin about the MNO’s participation in a First Min- low members of the PCMNO, the members of Melanie Rose isters meeting in October. As the MNO is Métis communities: the MNO chartered community councils, the Todd Ross actively engaging in government-to-govern- the heart of the MNO MNO Youth, Women’s, and Veterans’ Councils Susan Staves-Schank ment meetings with both the federal and pro- and all MNO citizens who took on leadership Anne Trudel vincial governments, the RSRP is an essential In every issue of the Voyageur, I am always roles or gave of themselves to make a greater Angele Watson part of ensuring the MNO is in the strongest impressed by, and grateful for, the many stories Métis Nation this year. position to move forward on negotiations that about what MNO citizens are doing to advance Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the Submissions: will bring benefit for Métis in Ontario for gen- the Métis Nation right in their own communi- founding of the MNO in 1993. It will undoubt- Communications Branch erations to come. ties. This issue features stories about numerous edly also be another landmark year on our Métis Nation Of Ontario cultural events, honouring our Métis ancestors, journey towards self-government and taking 500 Old St. Patrick Street, Unit D Remembrance Day and MNO veterans building relationships with local and provin- our proper place within Confederation. Ottawa ON K1N 9G4 cial officials, taking action to reduce violence I want to wish all MNO citizens all the best mikef@ métisnation.org This issue dedicates several pages to Remem- against Indigenous women and girls and work- of the season and I look forward to sharing an Publication #: PM40025265 brance Day and the amazing work being done ing to restore the environment. Please check exciting new year with you all! by our MNO veterans. On Remembrance Day out the Community section from pages 14-22 RECENTLY MOVED OR we rightly recognize the sacrifices and con- to read about all of this incredible work. Marsee. MOVING SOON? Don’t forget tributions of our veterans through military to change your address with the service but what is perhaps most impressive Registry so that you will continue Métis success stories about our veterans is that even though they to receive your Voyageur and updated information from the have already given so much they still continue Another favourite section of mine is dedi- MNO. to give even more of themselves to the Métis cated to the achievements of our MNO citizens. Margaret Froh Nation. You can learn about some of their Starting on page 23 you can read about one of PRESIDENT, MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO Call 1-855-798-1006 ext. 2 or send an email to registryclerk@Métisnation.org SUBMISSION POLICY: The MNO encourages contributions Council Corner from MNO citizens and staff. All sub- The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) benefits immensely from the dedicated volunteers who are missions are edited to conform to the Canadian Press Style Guide as well as members of its chartered Community Councils. These hard-working individuals spend hundreds for grammar, repetitiousness, spell- of hours building and strengthening their Métis communities. MNO Councils are the cornerstone ing and to accurately reflect the official of a strong foundation for the MNO in its push toward its inherent right to self-government. names and titles of individuals, organiza- Since October, the following MNO community councils have had elections. Thanks and tion, bodies and agencies referenced in congratulations go to all the candidates who participated in these elections and to the new submissions. council members listed here: With the exception of letters to the MÉTIS VOYAGEUR editor and submissions to the family sec- tion, all submissions should NOT be writ- MNO NORTHWEST MÉTIS COUNCIL ten in the first person. Upcoming The recommended length for a sub- President Secretary Women’s Representative mission is between 400 and 600 words. Submission Ron Robinson Nancy Hatch Julia Mitchell Submissions longer than that may be edited for length. Deadlines: Senator Treasurer Councillors Al Roussin Nancy Hatch Paul Gouette January 19, 2018 Allen Mireault March 16, 2018 MNO SUNSET COUNTRY MÉTIS COUNCIL May 18, 2018 President Senator Youth Representative September 7, 2018 Brady Hupet John George Kimmy Daley November 2, 2018 Chair Women’s Representative Councillors Rosalyn Calder Sarah Marusyk Karen Chowhan January 18, 2019 Wade Nelson MÉTIS VOYAGEUR December 2017, Issue no. 98 3 NATION THE PATH TO MÉTIS SELF-GOVERNMENT MNO launches Registry and Self-Government Readiness Process by Harvester Card holders. However, because MNO citizen’s file, a letter will be sent to review the MNO will know how many of MNO Staff of changes to the MNO citizenship defini- the citizen informing them of what is nec- its citizens ancestrally connect to one of the tion over the years and a lack of capacity essary to complete their file and they will seven recognized rights-bearing Métis com- for the MNO Registry prior to 2004, there be provided a reasonable amount of time to munities in Ontario1 as well as how many n October 22, 2017, as an are some citizenship files that are incomplete provide the necessary documentation to the ancestrally connect to the Métis Nation in important step towards and may not currently meet MNO Registry. In addition, western Canada, but now live in Ontario. Métis self-government, the requirements. ... the MNO will be retaining the In order to show leadership on this issue the Provisional Coun- The RSRP will involve a the MNO’s consulting firm Know History and provide MNO citizens certainty that they cil of the Métis Nation review of all existing MNO to assist with this review, as are being represented by Métis rights-hold- of Ontario (“PCMNO”) citizenship files to deter- steadfast they are widely recognized as ers at the regional and provincial levels, the passed a resolution that has initiated a review mine whether they meet the position that leading researchers on Métis RSRP will start with the elected leadership, Oof all MNO Registry citizenship files in order requirements for MNO citi- history in Ontario. Further, beginning with the PCMNO. to prepare for the issuance of new MNO Citi- zenship as set out in the MNO all of its materials will be provided Over the next few months, the MNO zenship Cards that will verify each new card- Bylaws and MNO Registry citizens are that will provide assistance will be developing additional communica- holder as a member of a rights-bearing Métis Policy, which align with the and suggestions on how a citi- tion products on the RSRP as well as cre- community and a Métis rights-holder under Supreme Court of Canada’s Métis zen’s file could be completed, ate a dedicated webpage for MNO citizens section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.