Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict Issues Statement regarding Métis Nation–Saskatchewan’s Withdrawal from the Métis National Council

Press Release

(Toronto, Ont.–September 23, 2024) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict issued the following statement regarding Métis Nation–Saskatchewan’s withdrawal from the Métis National Council:

The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) congratulate the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) on its decision to withdraw from the Métis National Council (MNC), the national Métis body, and for once again taking concrete steps to distance themselves from the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

“The MN–S has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the national body representing Métis. I know this was not a light decision, but it was the correct one. The MNO’s claims have not stood up to scrutiny, and we are now seeing the repercussions,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “We have been at this for a long time and have read all the research. It is encouraging to see that others are taking notice of what First Nations in Ontario and legitimate Métis Nations have been saying for years. The MNO is a group that has been getting away with making unfounded claims in First Nations Ancestral and Treaty territories in Ontario for far too long.”

COO has opposed the MNO for over 15 years. The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) left the national council in 2021 because the MNO continued to have a seat at the table. Now the MN–S has done the same.

“It is a shame that the Métis National Council continues to prop up the MNO despite two of its governing members withdrawing their membership as a result. The MNC was ordered by the court to take a position on whether the so-called MNO ‘communities’ in Ontario are part of the Historic Métis Nation and was directed to conduct an internal review of the MNO ‘communities,’” said Regional Chief Benedict. “That was supposed to be completed in August, with the deadline now having been extended to October. We continue to wait for the release of this review and for the MNC to finally take a position on the MNO.”

COO applauds the tireless advocacy that First Nations Chiefs in Ontario have done to educate their communities and the broader public about the dangers of false identity claims. They have galvanized community members, mobilized supporters, attended and responded to countless political meetings and media requests and have held important discussions about Indigeneity. They have done this all to protect First Nations and stop the erosion of their rights.

Last September, COO organized a rally on Parliament Hill opposing Bill C-53, which would recognize the MNO as a legitimate section 35 rights-bearing Nation. Additionally, last May, COO co-hosted a summit on Indigenous identity fraud with the MMF, which brought legitimate Indigenous governments—First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nations—to discuss the fraud’s growing threat to their sovereignty and identities.

“For years, First Nations in Ontario have been saying false claims to Indigenous identity don’t just affect one Indigenous group—it impacts all of us. Governments’ recognition of illegitimate claimaints is something we should all be worried about,” Regional Chief Benedict said.

“We commend the MN–S for parting ways and doing what is best for their citizens. We hope this development sends a clear message to the federal government that their proposed legislation needs to be scrapped.”

Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict

-30-

The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

Declan Keogh
Communications Officer
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-522-4518
Email: declan.keogh@coo.org

ILR4