Métis Nation of Ontario Advocates for Gender Equality and Indigenous Knowledge at COP 16

Press Release

November 13, 2024

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) joined delegates from across the globe at the COP16, a major international meeting on biodiversity, held from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia.

The MNO was part of a Métis National Council (MNC) delegation to COP16 that shared Métis perspectives and advocated for the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts.

The Métis delegation at COP16, which included representatives from Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, participated in panels, events, and discussions advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge—particularly Métis perspectives–in global conservation efforts.

Gabrielle Moreau, the MNO Youth Council’s Region 8 representative, spoke at a panel about the intersection of gender, traditional knowledge, and conservation. The panel highlighted the fact that including women’s perspectives in conservation efforts leads to stronger, more sustainable outcomes for biodiversity.

Gabrielle spoke about her experience as a Métis woman involved in the Métis National Council’s Goose Moon Climate Table. Created in 2017, the Goose Moon Table is a collaboration between the MNC, its governing members, and Canadian federal departments. It supports initiatives to integrate Métis perspectives into broader climate action plans and policies.

The Métis delegation also met with leaders from the National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC), a group representing Indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon, to discuss shared challenges and strategies. Their conversation focused on working together across borders, with an emphasis on using traditional Indigenous knowledge to support sustainable management practices. Both groups highlighted the importance of these exchanges for tackling environmental challenges that affect regions worldwide.

The MNO is proud to champion the integration of traditional knowledge in conservation, advocating for policies that respect and uphold the rights of Métis communities.

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