ISSUE NO. 102, AUGUST 2019 THE SIGNING WHAT’S NEXT TIMELINE FAQ History was made June 27, 2019 Extensive consultations with How did we get here? From More on the Self-Government when the MNO and Canada signed MNO citizens and communities to Pre-Confederation to this historic Agreement and what happens next. a ground-breaking Métis Self- develop a constitution. Page 14 Agreement. Page 12-13 Page 10 Government Agreement. Page 9 Stronger together Métis Nation of Ontario achieves federal recognition of its self-government. More on pages 9 -14 ON JUNE 27, 2019 IN OTTAWA, THE MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO, THE MÉTIS NATION OF ALBERTA (MNA), THE MÉTIS NATION - SASKATCHEWAN (MN-S) AND THE HONOURABLE CAROLYN BENNETT SIGNED HISTORIC SELF-GOVERNMENT AGREEMENTS. (back row left to right) Aaron Barner, Senior Executive Officer MNA; Joe Wild, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada; Jason Madden Partner Pape Salter Teillet LL.B; France Picotte, MNO Chair; Sherry Mclennan, MN-S; Marg Friesen, MN-S; Tammy Mah, MN-S and Ryan Carriere, MN-S (front row, left to right) Dan Cardinal, MNA Vice President; Audrey Poitras, MNA President; the Honourable Carolyn Bennett; Margaret Froh, MNO President; Glen McCallum, MN-S President and Gerald Morin, MN-S Vice President. IVÈR: A Métis MNO Community Trapline to youth cultural events and be forever in camp activities Métis hands Page 17 Special Page 18 Section 40025265 Métis Voyageur 2 Issue no. 102, August 2019 THE Message from the President MÉTIS VOYAGEUR Canada and the MNO sign historic Self-Government Agreement AUGUST 2019 - NO. 102 Produced by the Métis Nation of Ontario Communications Branch: Self-determination – our right Madison Burns Mike Fedyk Christianne McPartland as Métis people Melissa Murray Marc St. Germain or over 150 years, Métis in Can- Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark deci- Contributors: ada have been fighting for recog- sion on Métis rights in R v Powley—contin- nition and respect of our inherent ued to advocate for its rights, but these calls Samantha Alkenbrack Audrey Bayliss Métis rights. On June 27, 2019 fell on deaf ears. How fitting that in August Mackayla Beauchamp Canada and the Métis Nation of 2019, Métis leadership and citizens from Natasha Bertrand Ontario (“MNO”) signed a historic Métis It is we, as Métis, that across Ontario will be gathering in Sault Ste. Keith Blanchette Fself-government agreement. In this agree- Marie for our Annual General Assembly to Jacqueline Bouchard will control what we Darlene Braz ment, Canada finally recognizes what the celebrate these enormous achievements of Colleen Brunelle Métis have always known – that the Métis will become, and how the MNO – from the Powley decision to our Liam Buckley communities represented by the MNO have we will govern ourselves new self-government agreement, the MNO Melody Chislett-Morris an inherent and constitutionally protected continues to drive progress on recognition of Jerry Clarke and provide for our Louise Cloutier right to self-determination and self-govern- Métis rights! Kelsey Dick ment. communities. This is This was a story that was repeated over and Colin Doucette The agreement establishes—for the first over again, as numerous petitions advocating Larry J. Ferris true self-determination Donna Grayer time—a path to the full and formal recog- for fair treatment from other Métis commu- Greg Garratt nition of a Métis government in Ontario. – it is the legacy of our nities in Georgian Bay and James Bay, in the Marlene Greenwood Over the coming months, the MNO will be ancestors, and our right Red River and in North Western Saskatch- Alicia Hamilton working with its citizens and communities ewan, were also ignored by Canada. One Nina Henley as Métis people. Layne Hoskins to develop a constitution that will be the Métis community in northwestern Ontario Yvonne Jensen foundation for our Métis government, and was successful in negotiating a “Halfbreed Diane Kilby Canada will be working with the MNO to Adhesion” to Treaty #3 in 1875, which is Garry Laframboise Marilyn Lawson craft federal legislation codifying the com- the only known Métis-specific adhesion to Christa Lemelin mitments made in the agreement. any historic treaty in Canada. However, it TerryLynn Longpre While the hard work is far from over, this was quickly disavowed by Canada, and the Jennifer B. Lord agreement represents a mo- promises it contains have Guy Mandeville Nancy Martel mentous step forward for never been fulfilled. Richard Meilleur the MNO which has been It has always been clear Joanne Meyer working towards the recog- that we, as Métis, cannot Benny Michaud nition of Métis rights and rely on other governments. Lorraine Mountney Joe Paquette self-government in Ontario We have always looked after Jennifer Parkinson for the last 26 years. Since its ourselves and our communi- Kezia Picard creation in 1993, the MNO ties. Other governments have Tim Pile Paul Pirie – its current and past lead- long failed us and ignored us. Ken Simard ership and citizens – have We have seen our education Theresa Stenlund fought for the recognition of and employment levels, so- those inherent rights. Canada cio-economic indicators and ---------------- has now recognized that the health outcomes fall below MNO represents its Métis that of other, non-Indige- Submissions: citizens and communities in nous Canadians. The fact is Marc St.Germain their pursuit of self-govern- that no one knows what our Métis Nation of Ontario ment, and we have agreed on communities need more than Suite 1100 – 66 Slater Street a path forward. we do, and no one will strive Ottawa, ON The story and struggle for harder to provide it. While K1P 5H1 [email protected] recognition of the Métis in we celebrate this momentous Ontario has long and deep achievement, the work is not roots. Métis communities yet done. Through working Publication #: PM40025265 grew and flourished around MNO Founding President Tony Belcourt, MNO President Margaret together to implement this the Upper Great Lakes, as Froh and Past MNO President Gary Lipinski at the June 27, 2019 agreement and create our RECENTLY MOVED OR well as along waterways and signing of the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government constitution, we will build a MOVING SOON? fur trade routes of what is Agreement in Ottawa. stronger Métis government Don’t miss an issue! Be sure to now Ontario long before that is designed by and for, change your address with the MNO confederation. European fur ent rights, including the right to self-deter- and is accountable to, our Registry and other information traders and explorers had families with First mination and self-government. Métis citizens and communities. from the MNO. Nations women, and over generations, the When Canada began its expansion west- Our Métis government has secured this Call children of these unions came together to ward, Canada did not encounter empty agreement for our citizens and communities 1-855-798-1006 form a new Indigenous people—the Métis. land. Our Métis communities struggled for – the long-sought recognition of our rights, or send an email to Métis does not just mean “mixed.” Métis are survival and recognition in the face of waves and the commitment from Canada to nego- @metisnation.org not just anyone with some Indigenous an- of settlers and the imposition of government tiate full self-government with the MNO. cestry. Métis are the descendants of historic policies. Time and again Métis communi- Through this agreement, we will move for- and distinctive communities of inter-con- ties brought their voices forward. In 1849, ward with Canada as our partner in recon- nected Métis families, with their own shared Métis from Sault Ste. Marie, as well as First ciliation, on a respectful government-to-gov- SUBMISSION POLICY: The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) en- customs, traditions, and a strong and unique Nations, protested the establishment of cop- ernment basis. And, as it always has been, it courages contributions from MNO citizens collective identity, which grew together be- per mines in Mica Bay, on the shore of Lake will be we, as Métis, that will control what and staff. All submissions are edited to fore Canada became Canada. Our Métis Superior, through forcibly closing down the we will become, and how we will govern conform to the Canadian Press Style Guide identity has always been, and remains, dis- mines. Afterwards, Canada began a treaty ourselves and provide for our communities. as well as for grammar, repetitiousness, tinct from our European or First Nation an- process with First Nations and refused to deal This is true self-determination – it is the leg- spelling and to accurately reflect the official cestors. To this day, we retain our culture and with the Métis. This Métis community— acy of our ancestors, and our right as Métis names and titles of individuals, organiza- tions, bodies and agencies referenced in way of life, and our communities hold inher- which would later become the home of the people. ∞ submissions. The MNO does not accept submissions including editorials and letters to the editor that make partisan political statements. With the exception of letters to the editor and submissions to the family section, all submissions should NOT be written in the 2019 Submission Deadlines first person. The recommended length for a submis- sion is between 400 and 600 words. Sub- NEXT ISSUE: September 1, 2019 missions longer than that may be edited for length. • October 25, 2019 • January 30, 2020 Métis Voyageur Issue no. 102, August 2019 3 PCMNO REPORT PCMNO Appointments: Annual General Meeting of Les Femmes Michif Regions 5 and 6 Otipemisiwak by MNO Staff n Thursday October 11, President Froh also addressed 2018 more than 50 Mé- delegates on Saturday, emphasizing he Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario tis women from Ontario the importance of breaking down (PCMNO) is very pleased to announce that Roger Rose Owestward to British Columbia at- barriers, building up relationships, will represent Region 5 and Lee Rivet will represent tended the eighth Annual General and reflecting upon what it is we TRegion 6 on the PCMNO.