Métis National Council Statement on the Receipt of the Expert Panel Report

Press Release

Apr 3, 2025

Ottawa – The Métis National Council (“MNC”) acknowledges the receipt of the Expert Panel (“the Panel”) final report which was delivered to the Board of Governors in compliance with the Panel’s terms of reference.

Through MNC’s Annual General Assembly and the passage of resolutions, the Panel was established to conduct a historical review of the seven historic Métis communities in Ontario through the lens of the National Definition and contemporary Métis governance.

In fall 2023, then MNC Governing Members (Métis Nation British Columbia, Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Ontario) each appointed one expert to the Panel. As an arms-length entity, the Panel was mandated to conduct a series of roundtables and prepare quarterly reports for the Board of Governors. A final report of the Panel was delivered to the Board of Governors and General Assembly at the end of 2024.

On March 5, 2025, the Board of Governors passed a resolution acknowledging the receipt of the report. The resolution highlights the MNC’s duty as a National Indigenous Organization to respect the inherent jurisdiction of recognized Métis Governments that have been democratically mandated to advance the rights and interests of Métis citizens.

The MNC is a National Indigenous Organization with a mandate to advocate for the rights and interests of its Governing Members. The MNC is not a Métis government and exists to support and amplify the voices of its Governing Members in their pursuit of self-determination, recognition, and the full realization of their inherent rights. As such, the MNC cannot approve or endorse the Panel’s final report, as the recommendations contained within the report are beyond the scope of the MNC’s mandate.

As directed by the Board of Governors Resolution BOG250305-01, and in the spirit of transparency the MNC has provided the Panel’s final report to the Métis Nation of Ontario, allowing them to utilize the findings as they see fit. With the completion of this process, the MNC remains committed to upholding the integrity of Métis governance by respecting the jurisdictions of its Governing Members and the Métis peoples inherent right to self-determination.

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Since 1983, the Métis National Council has been the national and international voice of the Métis Nation within Canada. Through national research and policy development, the MNC advocates to advance the rights and interests of Métis Governments, including the implementation of the Métis Nation’s inherent right to self-determination and self-government. The MNC is committed to accountability and transparency within its operations, and to its relationships with its Governing Members and other partners.

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