MNO Marks 151st Anniversary of the Métis Adhesion to Treaty 3
September 12 marks 151 years since the Métis families of Rainy Lake and Rainy River, led by Nicholas Chatelaine, signed what was historically known as the “Halfbreed Adhesion” to Treaty No. 3. It remains the only known instance in Canadian history in which a Métis community collectively signed an adhesion to one of the numbered treaties with the Crown.
The Adhesion included commitments related to land, rights, and recognition for the Métis people of the region. Despite these commitments, the federal government failed to uphold its promises, and the Métis of the region were denied the place they had secured for themselves within the Treaty.
The Métis community represented by Nicholas Chatelaine in 1875 continues today as the Northwestern Ontario Métis Community, carrying forward the history, identity, and legacy of the Métis families who signed the Adhesion.
“The Adhesion is an important part of Canada’s history and the history of the Northwestern Ontario Métis Community,” said Northwestern Ontario Métis Community PCMNO Councillor Theresa Stenlund. “On this anniversary, we honour the resilience and determination of our ancestors and remain committed to advancing Métis rights and recognition in a way that respects our First Nations neighbours and contributes to meaningful reconciliation for all Indigenous peoples.”
Additional Resources:
Learn more about the history of the Northwestern Ontario Métis Community in this informative booklet and short video.