[OTTAWA, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 6, 2020] The Métis Nation of Ontario’s (MNO) 27th Annual General Assembly (AGA) is scheduled to take place virtually on Saturday, November 7, 2020. MNO President Margaret Froh will welcome leadership and Métis citizens from across Ontario to reflect on the achievements of the previous year, to set direction for the coming year, and to ensure their voices are heard on issues of importance to Métis families and communities.
The MNO AGA is Métis self-government in action. This year, the MNO is bringing their citizens together despite COVID-19 and looks forward to engaging and connecting during this important gathering.
“Our MNO Annual General Assemblies are a fundamental part of our democracy and while this year looks and feels very different, we welcome and respect every opportunity for our citizens to come together in our collective fight to advance Métis rights, self-determination, and Métis self-government in Ontario,” stated President Margaret Froh.
The MNO has achieved incredible success in recent years with advancing reconciliation through Métis self-government rights, including the signing of the MNO-Canada Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement in June 2019. This agreement reinforced the government-to-government relationship between Canada and the MNO by recognizing the MNO as the government of rights-bearing Métis communities in Ontario, and recognizing that the communities represented by the MNO have the right to self-government. These successes highlight the need to also make progress on addressing outstanding Crown duties, promises, and obligations as a critical part of advancing reconciliation with the Métis communities in Ontario.
“Our path to Métis self-government in Ontario has never wavered. Now more than ever, our families and communities want to see justice and actionable steps for the path to reconciliation,” concluded MNO President Margaret Froh.
Métis citizens will be coming together via Zoom on Friday, November 6, 2020, to celebrate with a President’s welcome, a Métis Kitchen Party, and an announcement of the Volunteer of the Year Award. This year’s virtual AGA will be held using video-conferencing platform Zoom, including online voting tools and interactivity tools. In addition, the MNO will be joined by a number of special guests including Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett, a
video from Premier Doug Ford and other welcome greetings will be broadcasted during opening ceremonies. Further information regarding the event can be found in the AGA agenda . Citizens without internet access will be able to participate over the telephone . Pre-registration is required, and MNO citizens are encouraged to do so at their earliest convenience. Visit the MNO website to learn how to participate.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc St. Germain
Director of Communications
Métis Nation of Ontario
marcs@metisnation.org
613-314-9402
Backgrounder
The MNO was established in 1993 and, through the collective will and efforts of Ontario Métis over the last 27 years, the MNO has evolved into a sophisticated and well-respected province-wide Métis government in the eyes of its own people, other governments, and third parties.
The MNO currently has more than 22,000 registered citizens living throughout the province, 31 Chartered MNO Community Councils operating at the local level, and more than 250 staff delivering a comprehensive suite of programs and services to families and communities.
On June 27, 2019, the MNO, along with the governments of the Métis Nation of Alberta and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, signed the first ever Métis self-government agreements in Canada: the “Metis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement.”
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(please note registration is now closed)
Posted November 6, 2020