OTTAWA (Nov 30/05) -- The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is pleased to announce that Tony Belcourt, MNO President has been selected as the 2006 National Aboriginal Achievement Award Recipient for his contribution within the Public Service.

Gary Lipinski, Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) Chair stated: "I am delighted to see that Tony is being recognized for his lifelong dedication and commitment to raising the awareness of Métis rights and the promotion of the history and culture of the Métis within Canada."

Mr. Belcourt has been actively involved in politics since 1969, where he was elected as the Vice President of the Métis Nation of Alberta. He also was instrumental in establishing the Native Council of Canada, where he became the first elected President and carried the voice of the Métis nationally.

In 1993, Tony was instrumental in forming the Métis Nation of Ontario, which is the political representative body of the Métis people within the province of Ontario, and has held the position of President to this day. A significant achievement was gained for the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Métis Nation as a whole, in the recent landmark ruling in September 2003 by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Powley, which recognized and affirmed the existence of Métis Constitutional rights in Canadian law.

"Tony's drive and dedication to advancing the rights of the Métis people is astonishing and relentless, this award could not have been given to anyone more deserving," stated France Picotte, PCMNO Co-Chair.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards are taking place on January 27, 2006 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information on the awards, please visit www.naaf.ca.