Métis Nation of Ontario

Métis Nation of Ontario
Type	Political organization
Founded	1993

Métis Nation of Ontario is an organization representing Métis people in Ontario.

In Anishinabek News

• December 2013: The organization entered into a semi-annual consultation agreement with the Faculty of Law in 2013.
• December 2015: The organization was involved in studying the feasibility and environmental documentation of the Detour Gold Mine.
• June 2016: The Métis Nation provided a presentation on Métis culture during educational events held in June 2016.
• August 2017: Bryer Twiss is a citizen of this organization.
• May 2018: Greenstone Gold is required to negotiate impact benefit agreements with this organization as part of the mine development process.
• June 2019: The organization provided funding for NorthernArtMarket.com through its ISETS program. The funding covered website design, a multi-vendor application, and a marketing campaign including television and digital ads.
• April 2021: The organization was a partner in the establishment of the Indigenous Law and Justice Institute in Thunder Bay.
• June 2021: The Métis Nation of Ontario provides training opportunities for women interested in pursuing careers in the energy sector.
• September 2022: The organization was a partner for the Mahiigan Family Road Race in North Bay.
• March 2023: Legal advisor Zac Thiffault represented the organization on a panel regarding reconciliation and governance at Queen's University.
• April 2023: The organisation is part of the consultation process for the proposed Darien Aggregates quarry project.
• May 2023: The organization signed the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Implementation Agreement with Canada in February 2023. A report by Celeste Pedri-Spade and Darryl Leroux alleges the organization used poor research practices to identify verified Métis family lines. As of May 2023, the group has 31,000 members, which is a 55 percent increase since 2020. According to the organization's own standards, over 5,000 of its members do not meet its membership criteria.
• June 2023: The Métis Nation of Ontario entered into the Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement with the government of Canada. The Anishinabek Nation argues that this organization and the government cannot create a narrative of nationhood where they claim it does not exist.
• September 2023: The history and cultural identity of its members, including the use of Michif French, are central themes in the book Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.
• November 2023: The Chiefs of Ontario alleged this group makes false claims to section 35 Aboriginal rights within First Nations territories. The organization's 2017 Framework Agreement with Canada and Ontario is characterized by the group as a basis for negotiating land claims. Academic research cited by the Chiefs of Ontario suggests this organization's registry and its identification of historic communities are deeply flawed.
• December 2023: The organization is seeking federal recognition as a self-governing nation with standing to negotiate modern treaties. First Nations in Ontario have challenged the historical existence of the six communities this group claims to represent. Research commissioned by First Nations suggests the membership of this group consists largely of distant relatives of First Nations or people of European descent.
• December 2023: The Chiefs of Ontario argued that this organization is making unfounded claims to land and harvesting rights. As of December 2023, in 2017, this group and the province identified seven new historic Métis communities that are under expert review. The organization was placed on a probation resolution in 2018 for not complying with the national definition of Métis.
• January 2024: The Anishinabek Nation accused this organization of using manipulative tactics by involving former First Nation leaders in social media discussions in January 2024. The Anishinabek Nation argues that there are no legitimate historic Métis communities within Anishinaabe territories. Former president Tony Belcourt met with former First Nation leaders in January 2024 to discuss historical relationships.
• March 2024: The Anishinabek Nation criticized the organization's approaches, claiming they infringe upon First Nations rights. A publicized social media post regarding a meeting with this organization prompted a clarification from Reg Niganobe.
• September 2024: The organization has signed binding agreements with mining companies, universities, and government ministries in the 31 years since its incorporation. Critics argue the organization lacks authority to negotiate for Métis people and seeks to appropriate First Nations identities and territories. The organization asserted the existence of six historic Métis communities in Ontario, which the provincial government officially recognized in 2017. As of September 2024, the organization has partnerships with the University of Ottawa, Lakehead University, and Queen’s University.
• May 2025: Linda Debassige asserted that this organization does not have the right to claim benefit or profit from First Nations resources.
• September 2025: The Anishinabek Nation challenged the ministry's decision to grant this organization recognition as rights holders in moose harvesting regulations.
• December 2025: The organization's leadership characterized a Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin forum as a hate rally. Panelists at a 2025 forum examined the genealogical narratives and political formation of the organization since the 1960s. The organization's claims were challenged by First Nation leadership based on archival findings and Anishinaabe law.
• February 2026: Lawyers at the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Conference discussed how this organization's interface with treaty rights impacts First Nations. Presenters encouraged First Nations to educate the public on how this organization's claims may affect their communities.
• March 2026: The Anishinabek Nation stated that those identifying as part of this organization are not included among the original stewards of the lands.
• September 2026: The Huron-Superior Regional Métis Community is a regional body belonging to this provincial organization. Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin rejects this organization's assertions of historical communities and harvesting rights within treaty territory.