MNO Representatives Participate in Cultural Safety Engagement with Otipemisiwak Métis Government
MNO representatives were honoured to attend a recent Promoting & Increasing Cultural Safety (PICS) engagement gathering hosted online by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Consultation Department.
PICS program was implemented as a means to learn from Citizens directly on how to better the cultural safety of the Métis women, youth, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and to generally understand and support the cultural safety of these groups.
Cultural safety, on a broad understanding, takes into account the ability of a person to safely carry out (participate, learn, connect) in the Métis cultural activities without being hindered or excluded.
The OMG’s Consultation Department serves as their governments “duty to consult” branch as established in the 2018 Consultation agreement between the OMG and the government of Canada.
Since August 2024, the department has travelled across the Alberta, hosting group and one-on-one engagement sessions. These conversations looked at how communities participate in cultural practices today, as well as the challenges that people face in participating safely and completely in cultural activities.
Representing the Métis Nation of Ontario were; Mitch Case, Provincial Secretary of Education & MNC Board of Governors Representative. Cole Netherton, a member of the MNO Youth Council. and Jennifer Pauzé, Manager, Events & Strategic Initiatives.
The final PICS report has been released by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and gives crucial guidance on how our Métis governments can be more inclusive and culturally safe. Its findings and recommendations provide a valuable pool of knowledge for addressing issues related to strengthening participation, removing barriers, and making all Métis citizens feel safe when participating in culture and community life.
All Métis governments can benefit from reading the report and taking its recommendations seriously.
“It was an honour to be invited to the PICS Summit,” said Netherton. Reports like this matter because cultural safety isn’t just a concept or a checkbox — it’s lived, felt, and carried in our communities all across the homeland. Honouring our diversity, celebrating our culture, and engaging in meaningful community consultation is what create lasting impact.”
This participation work signifies an ongoing commitment of the MNO to listen, learn, and support initiatives that advance cultural safety, inclusion, and belonging for all citizens of the Métis nation.
Together, we continue to build communities where Métis people can practice their culture, share their knowledge and celebrate their identity without fear.