Latest news with #ManitobaMetisFederation

Indigenous groups question government funding for Metis Nation of Ontario

Toronto Sun

2 days ago

Politics
Toronto Sun

Indigenous groups question government funding for Metis Nation of Ontario

Published Aug 10, 2025 • Last updated 6 minutes ago • 5 minute read Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand speaks during a press conference ahead of the planned Bill C-5 Summit in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Photo by Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — First Nations in Ontario and the Manitoba Metis Federation say nearly $1 billion in federal funding went to a group they allege is fraudulently claiming Metis identity. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Chiefs of Ontario, which represents 133 First Nations in the province, shared with The Canadian Press data on more than 20 years worth of federal funding provided to the Metis Nation of Ontario. It suggests that $819,836,061 went from Ottawa to the MNO – an organization First Nations leaders say has no legitimacy and threatens their rights. 'This data shows just how badly First Nations in Ontario are being harmed by the diversion of government funding to the MNO and away from the needs of First Nations and other legitimate groups,' the Chiefs of Ontario said in a media statement. 'The question is, why is the Crown sending hundreds of millions of dollars to the MNO when there is overwhelming evidence contradicting their claims?' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The data indicates the money came from several federal departments, including Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations, Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada. The MNO also received funds from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Impact Assessment Agency related to the potential impacts of projects in their communities. The conflict between First Nations, some Metis groups and the MNO stems from a 2017 decision by the government of Ontario to recognize six 'new, historic' Metis communities in the province _ and a 2023 federal government bill, which never passed, that would have affirmed the MNO's right to self-government. First Nations and other Metis groups say the communities represented by the MNO have no claim to Metis heritage and Ottawa and Ontario have no right to recognize them. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Last month, history professor Leila Inksetter of the University of Quebec in Montreal released a report drafted on behalf of the Wabun Tribal Council that concluded there is no evidence of a mixed-ancestry community in the Wabun Tribal Council's territory in northeastern Ontario. The MNO rejected that report, saying that despite years of outside attempts 'to discredit' it, 'nothing has changed.' 'The facts of history will not change because a new 'expert' has been paid to peddle the same Metis denialism,' the group said in a media statement. The MNO has cited a 2003 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada to recognize a Metis community in and around Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. The case did not consider the six new communities recognized in 2017, but rather what may constitute a Metis right. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Another report, published last month and commissioned by Saugeen Ojibway Nation, also concluded there is no evidence of a distinct Metis community in their territory in southwestern Ontario. 'The historical evidence simply does not support this claim,' says the nearly 200-page report, written by two historians at the University of Toronto. While the report says there were 'certainly individuals and families of mixed ancestry' in the region, that can't form the basis of a claim to a distinct community within Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory. Jennifer St. Germain, MNO chief strategy officer, said Metis and First Nations 'should not be working at odds as we are not enemies.' 'We have worked together throughout our shared history to push colonial governments to respect the rights of Metis and First Nations peoples, to properly invest in the programs that matter to our families and communities, and to uphold the honour of the Crown,' she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'When the MNO and Ontario First Nations work together, we make real change for the better for our children, families, and communities, as well as our lands and waters. It's time to get back to the table rooted in our shared values of honesty, truth, and respect.' The Chiefs of Ontario says that the academic research 'merely reaffirms reality.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO 'It is extremely disappointing that Canada and Ontario … failed to do any adequate research before recognizing the MNO. Not only are Ontario and Canada refusing to consult First Nations, they refuse to share the research they relied on or acknowledge the growing body of research and take steps to fix their mistakes,' the Chiefs of Ontario said in a media statement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Open disputes over claims to Metis heritage came close last year to ripping apart the Metis National Council, which once acted as a national voice for Metis but now has just two provincial members. The Metis Nation-Saskatchewan withdrew from the Metis National Council last September, citing concerns about the MNO and claiming the council had failed to ensure the integrity of its citizenship registry. The Metis Nation British Columbia withdrew from the council shortly after, saying it had lost confidence in the council's ability to serve as a national advocacy organization. Their departure came years after the Manitoba Metis Federation withdrew from the council, citing similar concerns. Will Goodon, the Manitoba Metis Federation's minister of identity protection and inter-Indigenous affairs, said the amount of public money available to Metis communities is limited and should not be shared with bodies that are not connected to what he calls the historic Metis Nation — largely recognized as descendants of the Red River communities in Manitoba. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One Parks Canada grant received by the MNO was meant to allow the organization to secure land and 'support creation of an ecological corridor in the region along the north shore of Lake Superior,' says a federal document. Goodon said that type of funding raises red flags for both Red River Metis and First Nations concerned about the prospect of the MNO seeking land in their territories. The Manitoba Metis Federation said it's also troubled by the fact that the federal government last week invited MNO leaders to a meeting to discuss its controversial major projects legislation. The federation, which boycotted that meeting, said the MNO's invitation undermined the integrity of the gathering and put the government's major projects agenda at risk. 'Canada and Ontario are pushing pro-development agendas. They say they will consult with 'Indigenous communities' but, in Ontario, the only consultations that should occur are with the rights holders — First Nations,' the Chiefs of Ontario said in a media statement. 'Pan-Indigenous approaches do not work and only devalue the true rights holders.' Columnists Columnists Canada Sports Toronto & GTA

Manitoba Metis Federation turns down Carney's invitation to talk major projects

Toronto Sun

6 days ago

Politics
Toronto Sun

Manitoba Metis Federation turns down Carney's invitation to talk major projects

Published Aug 06, 2025 • 1 minute read Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a July 28, 2025 press conference in P.E.I. Photo by Colin MacLean / Postmedia OTTAWA — The Manitoba Metis Federation is turning down Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to discuss his government's controversial major projects legislation, saying it won't attend the meeting alongside another Metis group it says has no reason to exist. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The federation, which represents Red River Metis, says Carney's decision to include the Metis Nation of Ontario in Thursday's meeting undermines the integrity of the gathering and puts the government's plans for major projects at risk. Federation president David Chartrand says Ottawa is also propping up the Metis National Council by including it in the meeting, despite the fact that it has only two provincial members left due to conflicts related to the Metis Nation of Ontario. Carney promised meetings with First Nations, Inuit and Metis after Indigenous leaders said they were not consulted adequately on the major projects legislation and they fear projects will move forward without their input. While the Manitoba Metis Federation has been generally supportive of the legislation, it now says that Ottawa's push to approve major projects is at risk if Ottawa negotiates with 'illegitimate bodies.' First Nations and other Metis groups say the communities represented by the MNO have no claim to Metis heritage and Ottawa and Ontario have no right to recognize them. Television Basketball Toronto & GTA Columnists Music

Manitoba Métis Federation turns down Carney's invitation to talk major projects

CTV News

6 days ago

Politics
CTV News

Manitoba Métis Federation turns down Carney's invitation to talk major projects

President of the Manitoba Metis Federation David Chartrand speaks to media after the completion of the 43rd Manitoba legislature throne speech at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg on November 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim OTTAWA — The Manitoba Métis Federation is turning down Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to discuss his government's controversial major projects legislation, saying it won't attend the meeting alongside another Métis group it says has no reason to exist. The federation, which represents Red River Métis, says Carney's decision to include the Métis Nation of Ontario in Thursday's meeting undermines the integrity of the gathering and puts the government's plans for major projects at risk. Federation president David Chartrand says Ottawa is also propping up the Métis National Council by including it in the meeting, despite the fact that it has only two provincial members left due to conflicts related to the Métis Nation of Ontario. Carney promised meetings with First Nations, Inuit and Métis after Indigenous leaders said they were not consulted adequately on the major projects legislation and they fear projects will move forward without their input. While the Manitoba Métis Federation has been generally supportive of the legislation, it now says that Ottawa's push to approve major projects is at risk if Ottawa negotiates with 'illegitimate bodies.' First Nations and other Métis groups say the communities represented by the MNO have no claim to Métis heritage and Ottawa and Ontario have no right to recognize them. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press