30th MNO Annual General Assembly
August 17 to 20, 2023 • Westin Hotel • Ottawa
Watch the MNO AGA livestream on our Facebook page
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Annual General Assembly (AGA) is Métis self-government in action. Every year, MNO leadership and citizens from Métis communities across Ontario gather to make their voices heard, review the successes of the past year, and set a course for the coming year.
The MNO’s 30th AGA will be one you don’t want to miss! AGA business meetings are taking place in Ottawa, Ontario from August 18 to 20, 2023 – and don’t forget the President’s Welcome and Canoe Arrival is on the evening of August 17, 2023. The venue for the AGA will be the Westin Hotel, located at 11 Colonel By Drive in Ottawa steps away from downtown attractions. This year we would be particularly pleased to have you join our celebrations as we are marking two special Anniversaries in 2023 — the 30th anniversary of the Métis Nation of Ontario and the 20th anniversary of the landmark Métis rights decision in R v. Powley.
Registration Now Open
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Métis Nation of Ontario’s 30th Annual General Assembly. This year the AGA is being hosted in Ottawa, Ontario. All MNO citizens are encouraged to participate at the MNO AGA. If you require support with your registration, please contact registration@tkevents.ca.
MORE INFORMATION: As a reminder, this year’s AGA will be held in-person. Virtual observation is available; however, participation and voting will be limited to in-person attendees only.
CAMP AGA (CHILDREN ACTIVITIES): During the AGA business meetings only – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – arrangements have been made to provide child care. For more information and to register your little ones follow this link.
MEALS: MNO will provide all AGA delegates breakfast and lunch when AGA business is taking place. Tickets can be purchased for $25 for non-delegate family members for the Friday excursion to Mādahòkì Farm and the dinner on Saturday (half price for children under 12 years). Through expense claims, MNO will cover the cost of delegate meals not provided by the MNO at approved reimbursement rates.
ART SHOW: While you are at the AGA be sure to check out our art exhibit — Kooshkopayiw | Awakening — curated by MNO citizens George Simard and Jason Baerg. The exhibit will be set-up in the Ballroom of the Westin Hotel on Saturday, August 19 from 4 to 9 PM EST and features works by: Jessica Somers; Jason Baerg; Jaime Morse; Roxanne Shank; Christi Belcourt; Mitch Case; George Simard; Amanda Pont-Shanks; Derrick Pont; Brian Kon; Audie Murray; Katherine Boyer; Dylan Miner; Jim Logan; David Garneau; Bleys Morse; and Kelly Duquette. Special thanks to Senator/Elder Doris Lanigan.
SPECIAL BUSINESS RESOLUTIONS: Click here for all the proposed 2023 MNO AGA Special Business Resolutions received by the MNO on or prior to the deadline previously posted.
Pre-AGA EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES: For AGA delegates arriving early to the AGA there are a series of pre-AGA events on the 17th please see below:
8 – 10 AM
President’s Leadership Breakfast Meeting
for Community Council Presidents, Captains of the Hunt and the PCMNO
Venue 22 at the Westin Hotel Ottawa
10 AM – Noon
MNO Two-Spirit Working Group Meeting
Nova Scotia / Newfoundland Room at the Westin Hotel Ottawa
10 AM – Noon
MNO Veterans’ Council (MNOVC) Annual General Meeting
Alberta Room at the Westin Hotel Ottawa
10:00 AM – Noon
Justice Orientation – Advocacy Program Engagement
Session A: with the MNO Women’s Council (MNOWC)
Ontario Room at the Westin Hotel Ottawa
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Senators’ Meet and Greet Lunch (Open to All AGA Delegates)
Venue 22 at the Westin Hotel Ottawa
1:00 – 4:00 PM
MNO Women’s Council (MNOWC) Annual General Meeting
Nova Scotia / Newfoundland Room at the Westin Hotel Ottawa
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Justice Orientation – Advocacy Program Engagement
Session B: with the Two-Spirit Working Group, Veterans’ and Youth Councils
Ontario Room at the Westin Hotel Ottawa
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS: Given the large gathering anticipated for this AGA, continuing COVID-19 transmission in Ontario, and the expected attendance of vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, the MNO has put in place the following COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure the AGA is as safe and enjoyable for all attendees as possible. (Note: these safety protocols may be subject to change:
Safety Protocols:
- Attendees and their children are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada) and to have obtained any applicable booster of a COVID-19 vaccine if eligible to do so.
- Prior to attending the AGA, all attendees and their children must conduct a self-assessment by visiting this link: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ and we encourage you to administer a Rapid Antigen Test.
- If you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms as outlined when completing the self-assessment or you do not feel well, you must stay home.
Upon Arrival and Before Check-In at the Hotel:
- Rapid antigen tests will be administered to all attendees (adults and children) upon arrival at the hotel and before they check in. One must have a negative result in order to attend/continue to participate in AGA events.
- All attendees must agree to and complete an Acknowledgment and Consent Form (this document will be sent out in advance for those who wish to complete it in advance of traveling).
- Those that have a negative test will receive a wrist band. Do not remove your wrist band or you will not be permitted to attend the AGA. Wrist bands will be checked before you enter the meeting room.
- If you or anyone in your party tests positive for COVID, you will not be permitted to attend the AGA and you will be required to return home.
During the AGA:
- The MNO strongly encourages all attendees to wear an N95 or approved surgical mask throughout the AGA when indoors or when in close contact outdoors.
You will be provided with a Rapid Antigen Test Kit and masks to take with you at the MNO testing site. - Self-administer a Rapid Antigen Test if you are feeling unwell.
Meals at the AGA:
- For those who have health or safety concerns, or who feel at risk eating in a large crowd, you will be provided with a takeout meal/container so that you may eat in a location of your choosing.
Should you require further information or have questions about the above safety protocols, please do not hesitate to contact Shelley Cripps, Director of Healing and Wellness at ShelleyC@metisnation.org or at (613) 295-4501.
AGA Draft Agenda:
Evening Acitivities:
- Thursday, August 17: MNO President’s Welcome and Canoe Arrival at the Canadian Museum of History
- Friday, August 18: An evening at Mādahòkì Farm where you can visit the Ojibwe Spirit Horses
- Saturday, August 19: Evening mini-concert with Amanda Rheaume performing songs from her new album
Other AGA Accommodation options:
CAMPING:
Wesley Clover Parks
411 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa, ON
613-828-6632
campground@wesleycloverparks.com
wesleycloverparks.com
Reservations are open and available online:
https://wesleycloverparks.com
NOVOTEL HOTEL:
The MNO has been able to secure a preferred room rate ($235 per night) for AGA attendees at the Novotel Ottawa:
Phone: 613-230-3033
Toll free: 1-855-677-3033
novotelottawa@novotelottawa.com
Booking Code: 1136202
Booking Name: Métis Nation of Ontario 2023 AGM
Please note that the available rooms will be allocated on a first-come first served basis.
