MNO News 43: President’s Message (April 2026)
Dear Citizens,
I want to begin by acknowledging the challenges that many citizens are facing with flooding that is occurring across many parts of the province. While it is great to see spring arrive, it is heartbreaking to see the damage being done. Our thoughts go out to those impacted.
April is indeed a month of change. The snow is mostly gone, the ground is softening, and there are those first signs of green returning. It’s a time when many of us start to shift back outdoors, check on things, get ready for the warmer months, and take care of what may have worn down over the winter.
This is the kind of work Métis families have long known, including in the early years of settlement in places like Penetanguishene. You can see that clearly in the history of Métis families who were forced to relocate from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene. They arrived in a place that was not easy to settle, with difficult land and very little already in place. But they built what they needed. They repaired what they could. And they relied on one another to make those homes strong and livable.
That history may be from an earlier time, but the work of keeping homes safe and livable is still part of everyday life for many Métis families today. One way we see that is through the return of the Emergency Housing Repair Program. This program supports citizens with urgent repairs that help keep homes safe, secure, and accessible. Whether it’s fixing a roof, addressing heating or water systems, or making necessary accessibility changes, these are the kinds of supports that allow families to continue living safely in their homes.
That same focus on supporting families is also reflected in the opening of the One Application for Early Learning and Child Care programs. This approach makes it easier for families to access supports like back-to-school supplies, family kits, and extracurricular funding. For families juggling school, activities, and the cost of raising children, supports like these can make the year ahead feel a little more manageable.
There are also opportunities for families to connect and learn together. In May, the MNO will be hosting a virtual “Play 101” workshop focused on early childhood development. Play is such an important part of how children learn, explore, and build confidence. Creating space for that kind of learning is another way we support strong, healthy families.
Across the broader Métis Nation, important conversations are underway about how we ensure our communities remain welcoming and safe for everyone. MNO representatives recently took part in a cultural safety engagement hosted by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (formerly the Métis Nation of Alberta). These conversations focused on how we remove barriers and ensure that Métis women, youth, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members can participate fully in culture and community life. It is a reminder that welcoming community spaces do not happen by accident. They are built through listening, reflection, and change.
April also marks an important anniversary for the Métis Nation. This month is the anniversary of the signing of the Canada–Métis Nation Accord, a significant step in the relationship between Canada and the Métis Nation. Much of the programming we offer from early learning to housing to post-secondary education comes from agreements negotiated under this Accord. Built on important legal victories, including the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Powley, the Accord helped create a stronger foundation for direct government-to-government work on priorities that matter to Métis citizens and families.
April also brings Earth Day, a moment that connects closely with Métis values. Across generations, Métis people have understood that caring for land and water is part of caring for community. We see this so clearly in the way citizens participate in MNO guardians’ programs, water monitoring, bat, bees and other species monitoring – being the boots on the ground as they observe and report on invasive species and climate change impacts. That responsibility continues to shape the work of our Métis government today.
We saw that reflected recently at the MNO’s annual Early Learning and Child Care Conference, where educators, Knowledge Keepers, and community members gathered to focus on land-based learning. The conversations and activities focused on how children build connection, confidence, and understanding through time on the land and water. It was a reminder that learning does not happen only in classrooms. It happens in relationship with place, where children learn by being on the land, listening deeply, and taking in what is shared around them.
We saw it again as Métis youth gathered for the Infinite Reach March Break Camp. Over five days, students in grades 10–12 from across the province participated in cultural workshops, outdoor and survival activities, and traditional teachings, concluding with a ceremony that celebrated their growth, connections, and shared experiences.
This is also a good time to mark your calendar for this year’s MNO Annual General Assembly, taking place August 14 to 16 in Thunder Bay. I’ve had the chance to be part of some planning conversations, and it is shaping up to be a meaningful gathering that brings together the important work of our government with the celebration of community, culture, and connection. I hope to see you there!
As always, I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through the full newsletter. There are opportunities, programs, and important dates throughout, and I do not want you to miss something that could be meaningful or helpful for you or your family.
Wishing you a good start to spring, and time to take care of the things that matter most.
Margaret Froh
President, Métis Nation of Ontario