MNO advances Metis Rights and Self-Government with the passing of Landmark Powley Institute Act at 32nd Annual General Assembly

MNO advances Metis Rights and Self-Government with the passing of Landmark Powley Institute Act at 32nd Annual General Assembly

August 17, 2024

Sault Ste Marie, Ontario — Métis Citizens, leadership of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), and dignitaries gathered for the MNO’s 32nd Annual General Assembly (AGA). This year’s AGA in Sault Ste Marie was held along the St. Mary’s River. This historic location was once home to a thriving Métis river lot settlement where Métis families like the Boissonneaus, Mirons, Labattes, Cadottes, Nolins and Lesages lived and established trade networks across the historic Northwest. It is also the same place where communities met in council and fought alongside the Anishinabek during the 1849 Mica Bay Incident to defend their lands and way of life.

Amongst this year’s AGA accomplishments was the passage of the Powley Institute Act— a historic piece of MNO legislation, formally establishing the Powley Institute as a Métis research institute in Ontario. This Institute will serve as a hub for Métis-led research, cultural preservation, and education. The Powley Institute will become a space of collaboration, growth, and learning for Métis scholars, writers, artists, and musicians to celebrate the history and culture that binds Métis communities from Ontario-westward.

“The passing of the Powley Institute Act reflects the strength and determination of our Citizens and is a reminder of what we can achieve when we remain grounded in our laws, our priorities, and our shared vision for the future,” said MNO President Margaret Froh. “This is a moment our ancestors dreamed of: shaping our own institutions, protecting our way of life, and building a legacy for generations to come.”

In line with this AGA’s theme—Telling Our Stories—the MNO announced an upcoming publication, Roots of Resilience. The book tells the story of the Métis communities in Ontario, the foundations of the MNO, as well as the work MNO has undertaken to advance Métis rights and recognition within Ontario and across the Homeland. It includes highlights on the Powley case and the signing of the Métis Self-Government Agreements between the MNO and Canada in 2019 and 2023.

“This land carries the weight of our history and the promise of our future. It reminds us that our place in Canada’s story has always been here, and always will be,” said Mitch Case, Regional Councillor of the Huron-Superior Regional Metis Community. “There is something both meaningful and inspiring about hosting this AGA in Sault Ste. Marie as we close out another year with many achievements to be proud of.”

Also notably, Citizens directed critical action on environmental protection and conservation including, further research into definitions of fish sanctuaries and waterfowl sanctuaries and standing in solidarity with First Nations to call for an end to aerial spraying across Ontario’s forests.

This year, Citizens heard about several initiatives led by MNO to address the needs of Metis families and communities as it pertains to Early Learning and Child Care, housing and homelessness, skills development, education and climate change. Citizens also received an update about another outstanding year of performance by the Métis Voyageur Development Fund, an MNO Métis Capital Corporation, which supports Métis entrepreneurs in Ontario. It was also announced that two new board members, Art Bennett and Stephen Scott, will join Métis Infinity Investments. These additions to the board will help bolster and advance economic reconciliation for Métis Citizens and Métis communities, which will ultimately help strengthen the Ontario economy.

This year the assembly welcomed notable dignitaries, which included Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault St. Marie, Jamie Schmale, the Shadow Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Patricia DeGuire, OHRC Chief Commissioner, Victoria Pruden, Metis National Council President, Secretary Rebecca Lavallee of Youth, Sport and Gender Equity for the Otipemisiwak Metis Government, Garry Bailey, President of the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, former MNO President Tony Belcourt, Shelley L. Anwyll, Vice President, Business Development and Member Experience at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Bishop Thomas Dowd of Sault Ste. Marie, the Venerable Harry Huskins of the Diocese of Algoma of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Kaitlyn Neveu, Indigenous Policy and Process Renewal Advisor, from the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

The MNO will reconvene for its 33rd AGA in 2026, which will be hosted in Thunder Bay by Northern Lake Superior Métis Community.

Media Inquiries:
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ABOUT THE MNO

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is the democratically elected—federally and provincially recognized—government of Métis citizens and communities in Ontario, including the Métis community in and around Sault Ste. Marie that was recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Powley. The MNO represents more than 32,000 Section 35 rights-bearing Métis Citizens in Ontario. Since signing the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Implementation Agreement with Canada in 2023, the MNO has continued to strengthen its institutions, advance self-determination, and build productive partnerships across government and industry.