MNO Credit River Council hosts annual meeting
By: Richard Cuddy, President of the MNO Credit River Métis Council
MNO Credit River Métis Council members. (left to right) Back row: Murray Berger, Karen Derocher,
David Neville, Jean-Marc Maheu, Senator Ray Bergie and Jim Tolles. Front row: Bill Morrison,
President Richard Cuddy, Darlene Lent and Joyce Tolles.
On April 14, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Credit River Métis Council hosted their second Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Senator Ray Bergie led off the AGM agenda by providing the opening prayer. Returning Councillors included: Richard Cuddy, President; Bill Morrison, Vice President; Ray Bergie, Senator; Joyce Tolles, Secretary/Treasurer; Karen Derocher, Women’s Rep.; Talitha Tolles, Youth Rep.; Murray Berger, Councillor and Jim Tolles, Traditional Knowledge Resource. The newly elected Council members Darlene Lent, David Neville and Jean-Marc Maheu were also formally introduced.
Honoured guests Sharon McBride, MNO vice Chair and Anita Tucker, Provisional Council of the MNO (PCMNO) Councillor for Region eight spoke to the citizens on behalf of the MNO. They provided important information, announcements and information.
The Council President’s report to the citizens consisted of a summary of achievements such as:
- Hosting an Election Candidates Platform Panel for candidates running in the MNO Provincial Election.
- Hosting a Métis youth fishing event.
- Collaborating partners and facilitators for a Métis Youth Conference at David Suzuki Secondary School attended by over 110 high school students from all over the Region of Peel.
- Hosting a Métis medicine walk at Crawford Lake.
- Hosting a Credit River Louis Riel Day gathering.
- Acquiring a Council office.
- Contributors to the Peel Museum’s Aboriginal Exhibit.
- Initiated a Métis student tutoring program.
The Council has also initiated and is continuing to establish relationships with:
- The Mississauga Halton Local Integrated Health Network (MH LHIN).
- The Region of Peel.
- Conservation Halton and Credit Valley Conservation.
- The Peel Children’s Aid Society (PCAS).
- The Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA).
- Ontario Power Generation (OPG).
- The City of Brampton.
“The Council continues to mature and with the addition of new Councillors and their valuable professional assets; fresh eyes and new ideas are injected,” stated Council President Cuddy.
Councillors signing the new Oath of Office document after the conclusion of the AGM.
With the assistance and input of Senator Bergie, an Oath of Office document for the MNO Credit River Métis Council was drafted, tabled as a motion and established by consensus during the meeting.
Each Council representative also took this time to provide their Council reports. Youth Representative Talitha Tolles was unable to attend as she is currently on an approved leave of absence while adjusting to her new role as an Aboriginal Facilitator for Me to We Free the Children.
The meeting ended with Council President Cuddy’s reports on Harvesting & Community Events and Lands & Resources completed the agenda. Senator Bergie provided the closing prayer.
The Council was pleased to receive valuable input from the citizens during and after the meeting and looks forward to future opportunities. The impact of citizens is crucial for Council operations as indicated in the MNO Community Council Handbook.
“A citizen is part of a crew of a ship without which the ship would not be able to sail on its own. The captain and officers steer the ship in the direction that the crew wants to go. Citizens are the most important part of the Community Council. The Council exists in order to meet the needs of its citizens. Citizens are responsible for electing their local leadership. The citizen attends meetings and provides general direction as well as volunteers for committees and activities. They support Council; other citizens and work towards the spirit of the MNO’s Statement of Prime Purpose.”