WSMNO

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

The Women’s Secretariat of the Métis Nation in Ontario (WSMNO) is comprised of  Métis women from Ontario who are committed to promoting women’s issues and  advocating on their behalf within the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) community. The WSMNO also advises the PCMNO on matters pertaining to women and works with community councils, Aboriginal boards, government bodies and women’s groups to assist Métis people with issues of concern specific 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.

Sharon McBride - WSMNO Spokesperson

Sharon McBride has served as PCMNO Vice-Chair and spokesperson for the Métis Nation of Ontario Women’s Secretariat (WSMNO) since 2008. She became actively involved in Métis politics in 1999 when she first learned of her Métis ancestry. She was Founding President of the Credit River Métis Council based in Brampton and has served as Regional Councillor for Region Eight. Her work on behalf of the WSMNO is focused on securing the funding required to carry out the important advocacy and public awareness role of the Women’s Secretariat.

Sharon, who’s Métis roots have been traced to Penetanguishene, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has lived in Germany, Nova Scotia and Ontario. Her contributions to the Métis community include work on several different boards and committees and she is committed to ensuring the voice of the Métis Nation is heard throughout the province. Sharon received the Ontario Heritage Trust Award in recognition of her work with Mississauga Heritage and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. She has also earned one of the highest honours that her community can bestow; two eagle feathers.

Alvina Cimon - Western Representative

Alvina Cimon is a proud Métis woman who served as President of the Northwest Métis Council for seven 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 the support of her family enabled her to devote so much time to the Métis in the Dryden area. She learned about public service from her mother who always helped out at community events.

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 single mother to three teenagers. Her recent involvment with the local Métis Council as Women’s Director has given 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. She is also an advocate for health, safety and education as the foundation for healthy families.

Bonnie works full time at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and part time as an Infusion Coordinator with Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals. She is active in local school councils and in supports the activities of her children as a colunteer.

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. She 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.

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

A single parent with three children, Shirley 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 and 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 only discovered her Métis ancestry in the past decade. Since then 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.

An avid reader and scrapbooker Pearl and her husband winter in their RV in Florida.