OTTAWA (June 28, 2007) --- Métis Nation of Ontario President (MNO) Tony Belcourt congratulates the Métis Nation Saskatchewan on holding its successful province-wide ballot box elections yesterday. Preliminary results indicate that Robert Doucette has been elected President by a wide margin. Mr. Belcourt is on hand in Saskatoon today to extend his personal congratulations to the newly elected Provincial Métis Council.

“We congratulate the citizens of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan on this very important occasion. We regret that the circumstances of the previous election left the Métis Nation citizens of Saskatchewan without the strong voice they deserve to represent their interests at home, nationally and internationally”, Mr. Belcourt said. “Our people in Ontario welcome the fact that Métis citizens of Saskatchewan have chosen their leadership in a fair and democratic process and that we can now work together to strengthen our Nation throughout our homeland from Ontario to British Columbia. I look forward to working with the leadership of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan to address the many issues of common concern so that we can build a better place for our people today and for our children tomorrow”, Mr. Belcourt concluded.

The Métis are a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language and heritage, and with an ancestral Homeland that centres 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:
Avery Hargreaves, Communications Assistant
Phone: 613-798-1488 xt.108
Cell: 613-294-1148

Or
Tony Belcourt, President
Phone: 613-791-5056