(Left to right) Thunder Bay Métis Council President Wendy
Landry, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, PCMNO
Secretary-Treasurer Tim Pile, Minister of Northern
Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle,
Region 2 PCMO Councilor Cam Burgess.The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was front-and-centre at a ceremony held on September 17 in Thunder Bay to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Prince Arthur’s Landing Waterfront Development Project. The first phase of the Prince Arthur’s Landing Development involves preparation for future construction and the development of attractions. Preparations include electrical installations, water systems, foundation piles for piers, boardwalk renewal and breakwall relocation. When the project is complete, the attractions will include a water garden, skating rink, splash pad and a spirit garden. It is anticipated that Phase 1 will be completed by the end of March 2011.
The MNO is among the partners involved in the project, along with the federal government, the provincial government and the City of Thunder Bay. As the terms of reference for the project include Aboriginal consultation, particularly in respect to the environment, the MNO has been directly involved in the development and consultations on the Spirit Garden that will be located on Wilson Island in Lake Superior.
The MNO was well represented at the ceremony by PCMNO Secretary-Treasurer Tim Pile, Region 2 PCMNO Representative Cam Burgess and Thunder Bay Métis Community Council President Wendy Landry, who were joined by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, provincial Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, Michael Gravelle and the Mayor of Thunder Bay, Lynn Peterson. Minister Gravelle and Mayor Peterson both specifically acknowledged the contributions of the MNO in their remarks, and Minister Gravelle introduced our MNO representatives to Prime Minister Harper. Secretary-Treasurer Pile presented the Prime Minister and the Minister with Year of the Métis Nation pins and a group photograph was taken for the occasion.
The MNO’s involvement in this huge project, and our recognition at this ceremony, provides another example of the growing influence and prominence of the Métis Nation of Ontario.