MNO News 33: President’s Message (June 2025)
Dear Citizens,
June marks both Pride Month and Indigenous History Month, two important opportunities to reflect, celebrate, and continue the work of building a stronger, more inclusive Métis Nation.
Pride Month is a time to honour the Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQIA+ Citizens who help shape our communities with courage, creativity, and care. Your stories are Métis stories. Your leadership, your love, and your presence in our Nation matter.
At last year’s Annual General Assembly, Citizens passed a resolution calling on the MNO to update all Registry forms to formally recognize Two-Spirit identity. I’m proud to share that this work is now complete. Our forms have been updated, and we are actively sharing this step forward across our platforms.
Representation is about more than visibility, it’s about belonging. And this change is one more way we are building a Nation where every Citizen sees themselves reflected. Indigenous History Month is also a time to recognize the strength and contributions of Métis people and communities across Ontario, past and present. It is a time to honour our ancestors, celebrate our culture, and tell the full truth of our place in this land.
Recently, the Ontario Government introduced Bill 5: Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. While the MNO fully supports efforts to grow Ontario’s economy—we are deeply concerned about the potential threat this legislation poses to Métis and First Nations rights in Ontario. You can visit our website here to learn more about this issue and read our full written submission on Bill 5.
From community leadership to land stewardship, from language revitalization to self-government, Métis people continue to shape Ontario’s future every day.
This month, we are also looking ahead.
Registration is now open for the Métis Nation of Ontario’s 2025 Annual General Assembly in Sault Ste Marie, and I encourage all Citizens to join us. The AGA is one of the most important moments in our calendar, a chance to connect, vote on resolutions, share meals and stories, and help shape the path forward for our government.
You can find registration details and event information on our website. I hope to see many of you there.
In the meantime, thank you for being part of this journey. And thank you especially to our Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQIA+ Citizens, not just this month, but every day. Your voice matters. Your leadership is making a difference. And you belong here.
Sincerely,
Margaret Froh
President, Métis Nation of Ontario