OTTAWA --- This week, the newly elected Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) came together in Toronto for their inaugural meeting .

The meeting was a two-day orientation, training and team building session. Agenda items included: a presentation on the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), the Métis Nation’s achievements over the last 15 years, and, a review of the MNO’s current operations. In addition, the meeting provided the PCMNO members with training on the Métis Nation Rules of Order, their roles and responsibilities, and, how to read and understand financial statements.

The session also provided the newly elected PCMNO an opportunity to meet with the MNO’s Directors, identify priorities for future MNO work and network with fellow Métis leaders from across the province. Positive energy, plentiful discussion and fresh ideas surrounded the meeting and attendees.

“I am excited to have such an enthusiastic team who are ready to work together to move the Métis Nation’s agenda forward,” said Gary Lipinski, MNO President. “I believe this meeting was an important start to building a stronger, more focused, and, more accountable MNO.

The PCMNO also set the dates for the MNO’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) along with a special meeting of the Presidents of the MNO’s Chartered Community Councils. The President’s meeting will be held on November 14th and 15th in Toronto. On November 16th, the MNO will hold its annual memorial to Louis Riel at Queen’s Park. The AGA will be held November 17th & 18th in Toronto. Additional details on the AGA, the President’s meeting and the Riel ceremonies will be posted in the Métis Voyager and on the MNO’s website in the upcoming months.

“The MNO’s leadership is following through on its commitment to ensure MNO Chartered Community Councils are more effectively engaged and supported within our Nation. We believe holding the special Presidents meeting in advance of the AGA will allow more members from our Councils to participate in the AGA,” said President Lipinski.

France Picotte, MNO Chair added, “We also look forward to holding what will likely be the largest Louis Riel memorial the MNO has ever held. It will truly be a historic event to have so many Métis citizens from throughout the province honour Riel in front of the Ontario legislature.”

The PCMNO also appointed new directors to both the Métis Nation of Ontario Cultural Commission (MNOCC) and the Métis Nation of Ontario Development Corporation (MNODC) in order to revitalize the cultural and economic development arms of the MNO. A listing of the new directors of the MNOCC and MNODC is attached.

“The MNOCC and MNODC are two important governance institutions for the MNO. They are pivotal to the Métis Nation’s aspirations of preserving and protecting Métis culture and history for generations to come as well as building a strong economic base and self-sufficiency within the Métis Nation. Appointing new boards to these bodies will revitalize the roles of the MNOCC and the MNODC in the Métis Nation.” said Tim Pile, MNO Secretary Treasurer.

In his closing remarks, President Lipinski ended stated “It has been a great two days! The passion, commitment and caliber of all of the members of the PCMNO is truly impressive. By working together – hand in hand – with our citizens and Community Councils, I am confident that we will take the MNO to the next level and that the next four years will be some of the most successful and productive years the Métis Nation has ever had.”

“We leave this meeting united and committed to a ‘new way of doing business’ in the MNO. Increasing the participation of our citizens and communities in the Nation, strengthening our transparency, financial management and accountability and working together will be the key to our success,” concluded Lipinski.

The Métis are a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language and heritage, and with an ancestral Homeland that centres around Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, parts of the Northwest Territories, as well as the northwestern United States. The Métis played an instrumental role in the shaping of Canada, and work tirelessly to share their culture, music, traditions and knowledge of the environment with their fellow Canadians. Today, the Métis live, work, raise their families and pay taxes in communities all across Canada.