Saskatoon, SK (September 28, 2021) – Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) President Margaret Froh issues the following statement in response to the Manitoba Metis Federation’s (MMF) recent decision to leave the Métis National Council (MNC):
The Métis Nation of Ontario is disappointed, but equally, not surprised by the MMF’s decision to withdraw from the Métis National Council. Over the course of the last several years the MNO alongside the Governments of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN–S), the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) have been calling upon the leadership of MNC to respect its governing documents, call meetings of the MNC Board of Governors and hold a long overdue election for National President.
The MNO, MN-S, MNA and MNBC were forced to go to the courts to mandate the MNC to schedule a Board of Governors meeting, set a date for the General Assembly, facilitate the election of a new MNC President and return accountability to the MNC.
It is especially disturbing that after two years of delays, the MMF chose to withdraw on the eve of the MNC General Assembly and election.
The MNO remains committed to transparency and accountability in Métis Nation governance. As it always has, MNO will continue to work in collaboration with other Métis Governments to advance the interests and priorities of the Métis citizens we represent and the Métis Nation as a whole.