MN–S government dismisses findings of MNC Expert Panel
Press Release
April 3, 2025 – Treaty 6 Territory and the Hearland of the Métis, Saskatoon, SK – The final report from the Métis National Council’s (MNC) Expert Panel has been released. The Expert Panel was struck in 2021, following a resolution at the MNC General Assembly, to address some very serious questions about the legitimacy of seven Ontario Métis communities.
The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) government has been very clear about its position with respect to the integrity of the process and the direction the Expert Panel chose to take. While it was not the determining factor, it played a direct role in the MN–S’ decision to leave the MNC last year.
MN–S President Glen McCallum said, “The identity, culture, values, and language of our Métis Nation is the foundation of our government’s integrity, in the highest evidentiary standards and best practices. This report was not done based on those pillars and has been hamstrung by many issues since its outset. From the MN–S’ standpoint, we will continue to pursue our own distinctions-based path for Saskatchewan Métis without MNC. We will continue to build strong, positive relationships with other legitimate Métis governments and First Nations.”
The Panel concluded, “The Seven Communities represented by the Métis Nation of Ontario meet the National Definition utilized by the Métis National Council (MNC) and adopted by Métis governments in Canada. That is, “Métis means
a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation.” It is therefore our expert opinion that these Individuals and communities form an integral part of the Métis Nation and its Homeland.”
The MN–S government is of the position that the Ontario communities in question are in direct opposition of the National Definition of Métis followed by its Registry, which has been recognized for its veracity, and discards the Expert Panel’s findings.
MN–S Vice President Michelle LeClair said, “Our MN–S government is, in no uncertain terms, opposed to the MNC Expert Panel’s final report. We did not endorse the process, nor do we agree with its findings. We reject MNO’s portrayal
of MN–S in its public communications and demand our government name be removed.”
MN–S chooses integrity over politics and stands firmly by the findings of the A Vision of the Nation-An Analysis of the Inclusion of Seven Communities into the Métis Nation of Ontario and its Implications for Métis Legitimacy, Governance and Identity report. This research was conducted independently by the Chair in Métis Governance and Policy at the University of Saskatchewan and reflects the voices of leading Métis scholars and experts in legitimacy, governance, and identity. The Visions project did not question the existence of these communities, but rather examined the processes used to justify their inclusion, highlighting how weak evidentiary standards and selective scholarship risk undermining the integrity of Métis governance.
The submission provided to the MNC upheld rigorous academic standards and drew on a transparent and ethically sound methodology; values that are foundational to MN–S’ decision-making.
MN–S did not participate in the research, did not interfere in its process, and deliberately ensured it remained arms-length. In contrast, the MNC Expert Panel included individuals directly connected to the communities under review, raising serious concerns about impartiality.
MN–S withdrew from the MNC because of a breakdown in trust, not identity. MN–S has always respected the importance of difficult conversations. What it cannot support is a process where political objectives override rigorous standards of accountability, transparency, and community consultation.
MN–S believes the future of the Métis Nation must be built on integrity and care. True nation-building requires hard questions, not easy affirmations. These are necessary to ensure the legitimacy of our processes and this is the kind of work MN–S will continue to support.
Read the full Visions of the Nation report.
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About Métis Nation–Saskatchewan:
Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is built on a foundation of Métis identity, culture, values and language. Empowered by the Métis citizens of Saskatchewan, MN–S works to advance Métis rights and strengthen capacity. MN–S represents the political, socioeconomic, cultural and educational interests of Métis in the province through an elected representative system at local, regional and provincial levels. Social Media Links: @MNSask, @metisnationsask
For Media Inquiries contact:
Rena Montgomerie – MN–S Senior Communications Officer or 306-250-1092
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