MNO marks 150th Anniversary of signing the Adhesion to Treaty 3

This weekend marked 150 years since the Métis families of Rainy Lake and Rainy River, led by Nicholas Chatelaine, signed what was then called the Halfbreed Adhesion to Treaty No. 3. This is the only time in Canadian history that a Métis community has collectively signed an adhesion to one of the numbered treaties with the Crown.

 

The Adhesion included commitments of land, rights, and recognition for the Métis people of that region. Despite the clear words of the Adhesion, the federal government broke these promises. The honour of the Crown was breached, and the Métis of this region were denied the place they had secured for themselves in Treaty.

 

The community that Nicolas Chatelaine represented in 1875 remains here today as the Northwestern Ontario Métis Community.

 

“The Adhesion is an important part of Canada’s history and of the history of the Métis Nation of Ontario,” said Margaret Froh, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario. “On behalf of the MNO, I want to acknowledge the hard work of Theresa Stenlund, Regional Councilor for the NWOMC and the entire NWOMC for hosting the multiple events, celebrations, and activities in Fort Frances this past weekend.”

 

On this anniversary, we honour the resilience of our ancestors and remain committed to advancing Métis rights and recognition in a way that respects our First Nations neighbours and strengthens reconciliation for all Indigenous peoples.

 

Media Contact: media@metisnation.org

 

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is the democratically elected, federally and provincially recognized government of Métis citizens and communities in Ontario, including the rights-bearing Métis community in and around Sault Ste. Marie that was recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Powley.

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