The Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) started the New Year with a trek to Edmonton, Alberta to represent the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens at two important meetings.
The PCMNO was called to Edmonton for a historic Tri-council meeting of the Métis Governments of MNO, Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MNS) on January 14-16, 2020 (More information on the Tri-council meeting here). As a cost-saving measure, a meeting of the PCMNO was scheduled immediately following the Tri-council in Edmonton, from January 17-18.
Over the two-day session PCMNO covered a lot of territory. They dealt with some pressing issues to close out 2019 and looked to what is ahead in 2020.
Once the meeting was called to order, MNO President Margaret Froh gave her President’s Update which included a recap and debrief on the Tri-council Meeting.
“Since the Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan signed historic Self-Government Agreements this past summer we have been looking for ways to collaborate,” said President Froh. “This gathering was a chance to really roll up our sleeves and move forward on behalf of all our Métis citizens.”
Detailed briefings from MNO senior staff and legal counsel followed to bring the PCMNO up to speed on several aspects of the MNO operations including: Finance, Communications; Human Resources and current work on MNO personnel policies; Metis rights and self-government; a recap of the Fall Cultural Gathering held in Lake Rosseau; and a look ahead to the 2020 MNO Annual General Assembly to be held in Toronto
An update on the MNO Registry included information on plans for Mobile Registry sessions in all parts of the province and highlighted the reduction in the turnaround time for new citizen applications from 90 to 60 days. Watch the MNO website and the upcoming issue of Métis Voyageur for more information.
PCMNO Councillors reported to their colleagues on recent activities in their Regions and communities. As well, the dates for upcoming PCMNO Meetings were also discussed:
February 29 – March 1, 2020
Toronto, ON
March 28-29, 2020
Toronto, ON
“These have been five consecutive days of incredibly positive and productive work,” said President Froh during her closing remarks. “We have done a lot of work and we have done it cooperatively and respectfully. Safe travels back to your families and communities.”
Posted January 20, 2020