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The past is present: Young descendants of 1850 Métis Petitioners witness historic signing

 

Sault Ste Marie, ON — Four young Métis people had the opportunity to witness history during a virtual signing ceremony on May 4, 2021 as local leadership of the Huron-Superior Regional Métis Community signed a Regional Implementation Agreement (RIA) with the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

Rayden Powley-Mortari, Memphis Powley and Morgan and Eizak Jensen acted as “honourary witnesses” to the signing. All four are descendants of Métis signatories to an 1850 Petition that sought to protect Métis lands at Sault Ste. Marie. For the regional Huron-Superior Métis community, the “honourary witnesses” represent an important connection to the past and a commitment to the future.

In 2019, the MNO and the Government of Canada signed a ground-breaking Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement that set out a new government-to-government relationship between Canada and Ontario Métis. The RIA signing is a significant step forward in implementing the hard fought gains secured in that landmark agreement.

MNO Councilor for Region 4 Mitch Case signed on behalf of the Region, MNO President Margaret Froh signed on behalf of the MNO, and Kim Powley and Yvonne Jensen signed on behalf of the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Council and the North Channel Métis Council, respectively.  The signing was witnessed by Steve Gjos, Todd Showan and Art Bennett as well as the four “honourary witnesses.”

In the coming months, the regional Métis community will develop a workplan and embark on community consultations with MNO citizens – all part of a process to build a stable, responsible, progressive, culturally grounded Métis Government to protect the rights, claims and interests of the generations yet to come.

MNO citizens in Region 4 are encouraged to update their contact info (email and phone number) with the MNO registry here: Update your Contact Information – Métis Nation of Ontario

 

 What are the Regional Implementation Agreements?

      • The Regional Implementation Agreements (RIA) protect the unique rights, claims, and interests of the distinct rights-bearing Métis communities represented by the MNO; strengthen the current regional and community council governance structures throughout the MNO; apply the general commitments found in the MGRSA to each MNO Region; and provide a process to develop a workplan for the implementation of the RIA, and funding for Regions to complete the work spelled out in the workplan.
      • RIA’s do not affect, give up, limit, surrender, or define Métis rights in any way; nor do they limit or predetermine what the future MNO Métis Government might look like

 

Quotes:

The signing of the Regional Implementation Agreement is a significant next step for our Regional Métis Community in Region 4. The RIA is the first step on an exciting journey towards fulfilling the long held dream of Self-Government in our region. Since the days when our ancestors first “met in council” in the 1830s, to the attempts to protect our lands in 1850, to the epic battle in the courts throughout the nineties — culminating in our overwhelming victory in the Supreme Court decision in R. v. Powley –– this community has long held onto the dream of governing ourselves. The RIA lays out a path forward for our region to begin consultations with our citizens and designing our future governing structures and institutions.

      • Mitch Case, Region 4 Councilor, Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario

 

This is a big step forward for us. When our family and community was put on trial, there was a total denial of our rights — this agreement puts that denial to an end forever. Self-Government has always been the goal, but like they say “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” We are no longer wishing, we are realizing.

      • Kim Powley – President, Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Council

 

Our communities have always been strongest when we are working together. The regional approach to Self-Government in the RIA ensures our whole community is working together to build a strong Métis government. I am excited to see what we will build for my grandchildren, and all the grandchildren in our community.

      • Yvonne Jensen – President, North Channel Métis Council

 

Self-government is all about building a strong foundation for the future of Métis citizens and communities in Ontario. I am honoured to participate in the signing with regional and community council leadership in MNO Region 4, and to do that with so many citizens participating.  The fact that the region’s leadership chose to include four very young members of the regional community as Honourary Witnesses to the signing speaks volumes to how the community truly is looking to the future. As the home of the landmark Powley decision where the Supreme Court of Canada first recognized Métis section 35 rights, the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community is deeply familiar with working to advance Métis rights for the benefit of future generations and all Métis.

      • Margaret Froh – President, Métis Nation of Ontario

 

For more information on the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement:
Métis Nation of Ontario achieves federal recognition of its self-government