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Metis Nation of Ontario sets sights on self governance

"We are going to talk about Métis self government and mobility of harvesting rights.”

On day two of the Métis Nation of Ontario's (MNO) annual gathering, a roar of applause was heard from the assembly during the MNO President’s speech.

Hundreds of sashes on hundreds of Métis set the scene at the Best Western Hotel in North Bay on Saturday. Women everywhere were listening to the morning speeches as they beaded from a kit designed by the MNO. Honouring Métis women is part of our culture is the message.

During her state of the nation address, Margaret Froh first spoke of the MNO working out an agreement with Ontario on harvesting rights.  

Froh said that April’s Supreme Court ruling on the Daniels decision has opened the door to Métis self government and then she made the big announcement. “The MNO has appointed a Métis Nation of Ontario Commission on Métis Rights and Métis Self Government.” Kim Palley, Karen Drake, Nelson Montreau, Senator Marlene Greenwood, Victor Brunelle, and Paul Robitaille will sit on the new commission.

“The commission will work hard this fall to develop materials meaningful to our citizens. We are going to look at how to build more Métis community identity into our (government) structures. We are going to talk about Métis self government and mobility of harvesting rights.”

During her introduction, Froh spoke of being a lawyer and is the MNO’s first female president and the first to identify as two-spirit.  

Earlier, Federal Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Carolyn Bennett called for increased favourable nation to nation relations.

Provincial Minister for Northern Development and Mines, Micheal Gravelle talked of a renewed mineral development strategy. “Ontario wants to position as the global leader in sustainable mineral development. The Métis of Ontario voices are being heard.”

In his speech to the assembly, North Bay Mayor Al McDonald proved he was open for conversations by announcing his cell phone number.

The North Bay Métis Council has been active since 1995. It was the first council to establish an office and provide programs for citizens. Métis senators provide an elder’s presence in keeping the culture alive. Local Senator Marlene Greenwood is an ancestor of the founder of Fort La Ronde on LaVase Island.  

The North West Co. trading post was built by Denys de La Ronde. It was closed in 1821 and moved to Garden Island on the Sturgeon River following the merger of the North West and the Hudson's Bay Companies. The fort reportedly burned down in 1821.

Greenwood explained La Ronde was one of the first names in the Métis community. “Eustacian and Tuscon were brothers that looked after that fort.  The La Ronde name was a title given from the French king to our original ancestor Denys. One of the Denys took a bullet for the king and saved the kings life. Land was given and the title La Ronde.”

Greenwood is excited about the revival of the Métis culture. “Since the Daniels case, we have been recognized more and more. It took 10 years before the government said we are a distinct nation. We were in a parade one time and people were yelling. 'There are the true Canadians.'”

In her speech, President Froh gave a shout out to the excellent fiddle playing by Alicia Blore and suggested there would probably be some jigging going on in the evening during the fish fry in historic Champlain Park where the La Vase River meets Lake Nipissing.


KA Smith

About the Author: KA Smith

Kelly Anne Smith was born in North Bay but wasn’t a resident until she was thirty. Ms.Smith attended Broadcast Journalism at Canadore College and earned a History degree at Nipissing University.
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