Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin Chiefs call upon Canada to immediately cease all action relating to the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Implementation Agreement

On February 24, 2023, the Government of Canada and the Métis Nation of Ontario (“MNO”) signed the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Implementation Agreement (“the Agreement”).

ROBINSON HURON TREATY TERRITORY (May 8, 2023) — Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin (“RHW”) challenges the historical existence of distinct “Métis” communities in the Robinson-Huron Treaty territory and, as such, commissioned a study led by Dr. Celeste Pedri-Spade (McGill University) and Dr. Darryl Leroux (University of Ottawa).

The report, An Exploratory Study of Métis Nation of Ontario’s “Historic Métis Communities” in Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory, uncovered how the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO)’s poor research practices actively omitted historical data that calls into question their interpretation of “verified Métis family lines.” For example, the MNO has identified individuals as “Métis” even when individuals are consistently recorded as First Nation, which contradicts their stated approach. The report has documented hundreds of times that the MNO engaged in such misleading practices, proving the fatal flaws in creating “Métis communities” in Robinson Huron Treaty territory.

“The research utilized by MNO for the McLeod-Riel Métis family line claims an RHW Anishinaabe family as a basis for Métis membership,” states Shawanaga Chief Adam Pawis states. “All the evidence surrounding this family points to their identity as Anishinaabe, not Métis.”

“The settler government of Canada and the MNO are attempting to push legislation through, which will culminate with the signing of a ‘modern-day treaty’ that will encroach upon the rights of RHW and its citizens. This fast-tracked push is an affront to the unextinguished rights and jurisdictions of RHW. We cannot sit idly by while the settler government continues to discuss and deal with groups claiming Indigenous ancestry without our consent,” states Batchewana First Nation Chief Dean Sayers.

The MNO currently has 31,000 members, a 55% increase since 2020. Most of its members are tied to one of the “Métis communities” in Robinson Huron Treaty territory, further impacting the rights of RHW communities and their members. Aside from the findings in Drs. Pedri-Spade and Leroux’s report, by the MNO’s own standards, over 5,000 of its members do not meet their membership criteria. RHW disagrees that the settler government of Canada can enter into these agreements, legislation, and treaties with a group that has not demonstrated through sound research the legal existence of distinct Métis communities in our territory.

“The Anishinabek have not given the Métis any rights and do not recognize any MNO communities or any rights that the Crown may give them. It is contrary to our understanding of who can give those rights, which is the Anishinabek and not the Crown or government,” states M’Chigeeng First Nation Ogimaa-kwe Linda Debassige.

“Canada is seeking to delegate rights to the Métis when they are, in fact, in receipt of a delegated authority to be on RHW lands. Delegating rights to the MNO with dubious ancestral claims violates their Treaty promise. They do not have the right to delegate any rights to the MNO, that contemplation should come from RHW,” states Nipissing First Nation Chief McLeod.

The Wabun Tribal Council applied for judicial review of the MNO’s Agreement in March 2023.  The application for judicial review states that the MNO Agreement recognizes communities that may be unable to pass the Métis Rights test, the Powley test, established by Canada’s Supreme Court in R. v. Powley. RHW supports the position taken by the Wabun Tribal Council.

Canada must cease this practice and directly deal with the original rights-holders of this land.

The Wabun Tribal Council applied for judicial review of the MNO’s Agreement in March 2023. The application for judicial review states that the MNO Agreement recognizes communities that may be unable to pass the Métis rights test established by Canada’s Supreme Court in R. v. Powley. RHW supports the position taken by the Wabun Tribal Council.

Canada must cease this practice and directly deal with the original rights-holders of this land.

The Report

Drs. Celeste Pedri-Spade and Darryl Leroux’s report commissioned by Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin, ‘An Exploratory Study of Métis Nation of Ontario’s “Historic Métis Communities” in Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory’ can be found on the RHW website.

About Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin
Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin is an initiative undertaken by the 21 First Nations of the Robinson Huron Treaty to create a Treaty-level body capable of addressing many issues that have, until this time, been addressed within Canadian government-created agencies and systems of governance.

The Anishinaabe of Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin are the original people of Lake Huron and Lake Superior to which the Gichimanidoo (Creator) has granted inherent rights and sovereignty. RHW continues to exercise the rights and fulfill the responsibilities and obligations given to them for the land upon which they were placed. This includes the right to self-determination. The rights and responsibilities bestowed upon RHW people cannot be altered or taken away by any colonizers or settler government. RHW continues to occupy and exercise authority and jurisdiction over its communities, economies, and ways of life within this territory since time immemorial.

The goal is to develop a collective Anishinaabe decision-making body progressing the interests and inherent rights of our people’s interests and inherent rights. We recognize that the Treaty helps protects our inherent rights and can build on the strength of this collective to enhance and foster health and wellness for our people.

RHW also conducts treaty-based research, facilitates community engagement in Robinson Huron Treaty communities on treaty-related matters, and develops treaty education tools, including detailed use and occupancy research of the treaty area.

For more information on RHW, please visit waawiindamaagewin.com.

For media inquiries and more information, please contact:

Earl Commanda
Executive Director
Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin
E-mail: earl@waawiindamaagewin.com

Jolene Recollet
Policy & Administrative Coordinator
Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin
E-mail: jolene@waawiindamaagewin.com