Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Visits Métis Rendezvous in Lafontaine
MIDLAND, ON, September 28, 2009 —By all reports, the Fifth Annual 2009 Métis Rendezvous, co-hosted by Métis volunteers in the Georgian Bay area and the Township of Tiny was a success. A sunny late summer day greeted the nearly 500 people who dropped by the Lafontaine Parks and Recreation Centre, on Saturday September 19th, 2009 for the gathering. Among the special guests attending this year’s celebration of all things Métis were MNO President Gary Lipinski, MNO Chair France Picotte and Region 7 Councillor Pauline Saulnier, as well as Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College.
Minister Duguid arrived early and spent his time learning about the cultural and hunting practises of the Métis and dropped by the Vendor’s Village prior to bringing greetings to the assembled crowd.
President Tamblyn joined MNO President Gary Lipinski in signing a Memorandum of Understanding between MNO and Georgian College.
The date is special for Métis in Ontario because it is the anniversary of the Powley Decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ruling which, in 2003 recognized Métis harvesting rights in the province. A special display, prepared by Scott Carpenter of the MNO Education and Training Branch coordinated the collection of artifacts to create a commemorative display in honour of the important anniversary.
Just over 300 people enjoyed the, delicious as usual, Fish Fry to bring the day to an end.
Related News:
Georgian College strengthens relationship with MNO
Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian, and Gary Lipinski, President of the MNO sign a memorandum of understanding that will see the College and the MNO work together to improve educational outcomes for Métis students in the province.
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