The official ribbon cutting of the new MNO office in
Gravenhurst. (Left-right) Gravenhurst District Councillor Paul
Kelly, Gravenhurst Mayor Paisely Donaldson, PCMNO
Region 7 Councillor Pauline Richardson, Honourary MNO
Senator Ruth Wagner, MNO Moon River Métis Council
President Tony Muscat and Senator Larry Duval. Click here
for larger picture.
The new Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) office in Gravenhurst was officially opened on May 6, 2017. The office will serve as the headquarters for the MNO Moon River Métis Council and the new MNO Métis Family Wellbeing program.
The opening of an MNO office in the Moon River area was a long awaited event with debates going back as long as ten years about where the office should be located. As the area is very large geographically; covering many small towns that are spread apart it was important to find a location that was centrally located so none of the local MNO citizens felt disadvantaged. While it was a challenge to find such a location, it is felt that Gravenhurst fits the bill and will serve as a central spot to raise awareness, provide daily accessibility and foster connections between and within the many Métis communities in the area.
There was excitement in the air as the office was full of MNO citizens and honoured guests who braved the rainy weather to be there. Guests included Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) Region 7 Councilor Pauline Richardson, Honourary MNO Senator Ruth Wagner, MNO Moon River Métis Council President Tony Muscat and Senator Larry Duval as well as Gravenhurst Mayor Paisley Donaldson and District Councilor Paul Kelly. Mayor Donaldson thanked the MNO for being part of the community and local media also attended to learn more about the Métis and spread the news to the larger community.
The office is now home to a full-time MNO Family Wellbeing Coordinator, Rubecka Davidson, who offers targeted services across the whole Moon River area.
The MNO Moon River Métis Council wishes to thank Davidson, Councilor Richardson, Mayor Donaldson and all the other guests, citizens, volunteers and speakers who attended the opening.
Posted: June 14, 2017