Métis Nation of Ontario congratulates Liberal Party -- Establishes New Agenda

OTTAWA (October 12, 2007) – The Métis Nation of Ontario would like to congratulate Dalton McGuinty, and the Liberal party, on being re-elected in Ontario – they would also like to continue advancing their new relationship that began during McGuinty’s previous term.

The Métis Nation of Ontario is eager to begin developing a Métis Nation agenda for the next four-year term of the McGuinty government and looks forward to the milestones ahead.

“Prior to the election, Mr. McGuinty and his government put in place the foundations for the development of a relationship with the Métis Nation,” said Métis Nation of Ontario President, Tony Belcourt. “We applaud Mr. McGuinty on his decision to implement a stand alone Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. We are grateful that after more than a decade of court battles, the government decided not to appeal our victory in the provincial court, which upheld the historic MNO/MNR agreement of July, 2004. We are anxious to work with the new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in the development of a framework agreement that will, for the first time, establish an appropriate relationship, recognizing the Métis people and the historic Métis communities in Ontario.”

The Métis are a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language and heritage, and with an ancestral Homeland that centers around Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, parts of the Northwest Territories, as well as the northwestern United States. The Métis played an instrumental role in the shaping of Canada, and work tirelessly to share their culture, music, traditions and knowledge of the environment with their fellow Canadians. Today, the Métis live, work, raise their families and pay taxes in communities all across Canada.

CONTACT:
Chelsey Quirk, Communications Assistant
Work: 613-798-1488 Ext. 104
Cell: 613-299-6085