Today, members of the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, announced pre-design investments for the Métis Nation of Ontario Culture and Language Camp Projects.

“The Métis Nation of Ontario has been working hard to provide our citizens with better access to culturally appropriate physical and mental health services for many years. We are very pleased to be partnering with the Government of Canada to create permanent spaces that will promote community and citizen wellness and Métis heritage in ways that are culturally, emotionally, spiritually and physically safe. This is a priority for all Métis citizens, and especially Métis women, girls, Two-Spirit and LGBTQI+ people and their families, who need safe, barrier-free and meaningful access to their culture and languages. These Métis language and culture camps will be another example of reconciliation in action.”

Margaret Froh
President of the Métis Nation of Ontario

“The Métis Nation of Ontario feasibility study for their two Culture and Language Centres Projects is an important first step in creating physical locations that are culturally appropriate, safe and accessible for Métis communities. These camps would provide integral safe spaces for Métis women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and their families to gather, strengthen their cultural identity and language, and increase their sense of self-determination and safety.”

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations 

• The Métis Nation of Ontario was founded in 1993 as the Government of Métis people and communities within Ontario. 

• The Métis Nation of Ontario has built a province-wide governance structure, which includes over 30,000 Métis citizens and 31 Chartered Community Councils throughout Ontario.

• Through the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program, Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is providing $348,150 to the Métis Nation of Ontario for a feasibility study for two new culture and language camps: one in Northern Ontario and one in Southern Ontario.

• Budget 2021 announced $108.8 million over two years for the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program. 

• The Government of Canada continues to work with Indigenous organizations, families, Survivors, communities, provinces and territories across the country to make progress on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People National Action Plan.

• The Federal Pathway is the Government of Canada’s contribution to the National Action Plan and outlines the Government of Canada’s efforts, now and in the future, to end gender-based violence and systemic racism responsible for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. 

• The National Action Plan was co-developed by:

  • The National Family and Survivor’s Circle.
  • Representatives of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Indigenous grassroots organizations.
  • Indigenous, provincial and territorial governments.
  • Indigenous urban and 2SLGBTQQIA+ leaders.

Associated links

• Métis Nation of Ontario
• Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program
• Backgrounder: Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
• The Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
• Budget 2021
• 2021 MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people National Action Plan
• Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Contribution Program

For more information, media may contact:

Victoria Belton
Senior Consultant, Media Profile
Email: victoria.belton@mediaprofile.com
Phone: (416) 997 5179

Aissatou Diop
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations
Email: aissatou.diop@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

CIRNAC Media Relations:
Email: RCAANC.Media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca
Phone: 819-934-2302

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