The Métis Nation of Ontario Governing Bodies:
The Women's Secretariat of the Métis Nation of Ontario (WSMNO)

The Women’s Secretariat of the Métis Nation in Ontario (WSMNO) are a body of Métis women in Ontario who are committed to promote and advocate for women’s issues within the MNO community. The WSMNO advises the PCMNO on matters pertaining to women. The WSMNO also works with community councils, Aboriginal boards, government bodies and women’s groups to assist Métis people with issues of concern to women. This work includes policy development and review, coordination, consultation and education. The main goal of the WSMNO is to encourage the full participation of all women within the MNO in helping to build a strong and healthy nation.

ALVINA CIMON
Western Representative

Alvina Cimon is a proud Métis woman who has served as President of the Northwest Métis Council for the past 7 years. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, she has lived in the Dryden area for 58 years and can trace her Métis family history to the Red River settlement.

Alvina says it is the support of her family that enabled her to devote so much of her time to work with Métis in the Dryden area. She learned about public service from her mother, Albertine Roussin, one of the oldest Métis citizens in the area. Albertine always helps out at community events and at 92 years of age makes the best bannock around.

In addition to serving as Community Council President, Alvina sits on the Métis Steering Committees on Gambling and the Michif Language, the Dryden Regional Mental Health and Addiction Advisory Board and the Regional Advisory Board for Diabetes. She is also a member of the Catholic Women’s League.

In her spare time Alvina plays darts at Moose Lodge and is also secretary treasurer for the Dart League.

BONNIE BEAULIEU
Northern Representative

Bonnie is proud of her Métis ancestry and traces her roots to the Métis community of Long Sault Band – Hungry Hall in the Treaty #3 Area. She registered with the Métis Nation of Ontario in 2002.

Bonnie is a Registered Nurse and a single mother to three teenagers. Her  recent involvment with the local Métis Council as Women’s Director gives her an opportunity to make a contribution in two areas of special interest to her – health and family. Bonnie carries the Health Portfolio in Region 2 and is active in promoting the importance of family, children and health for Métis women and their families and is an advocate for health, safety and education as the foundation for healthy families. Bonnie hopes she can help foster effective communication among Métis citizens in the North and would like to organize a series of workshops in the region dealing with physical and mental health, as well as substance abuse and addictions. Bonnie is also hoping to play a role nationally in Métis Women in Health Awareness, Education and Family.

Bonnie works full time at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and part time as an Infusion Coordinator with Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals. She has played an active in her children’s school councils in the past and currently manages her youngest son’s Bantam Hockey Team and is President of the Thunder Bay Quarter Horse Youth Club.

SHIRLEY LYNN PANTUSO
Eastern Representative

Shirley Lynn is a proud Métis woman, mother, daughter and sister who hopes one day to add Grandmother to the list. Shirley has been the women’s representative on the Ottawa Métis Council for the last six years and is pleased to be able to work on behalf of other women.

She has been an active participant in the Métis community since becoming a citizen. Shirley believes out elders are our teachers and aspires to follow in the footsteps of family members Senators Lois McCallum and Reta Gordon.

Shirley is a single parent with three children who has overcome many challenges, often working two jobs just to make ends meet.  More than full time work did not keep her from volunteering with Brownies, Girl Guides and Beavers, coaching baseball, cheerleading and helping to raise money for football and hockey teams and other school activities. 

Even the stroke Shitley suffered in 2006 could not keep her down for long. Instead she used her recovery as a time to explore her culture by incorporating  Métis beading into her therapy. It is a skill she has since passed along to other Métis citizens.

PEARL GABONA
Southern Representative

Pearl is a retired Police Detective who discovered her Métis ancestry in the past decade. Over the past several years she has embraced her Métis culture and discovered many new family members.

Pearl and her husband of 39 years live in Bowmanville, Ontario. She was born in Peterborough and raised in Scarborough. Pearl worked as an elementary school teacher before turning to police work. As a detective she spent several years investigating physical and sexual assaults against women and children.