Sault Ste. Marie: “of the Métis Nation”

The Sault Ste. Marie Historic Métis Community was one of seven historic Métis Nation communities in northern Ontario studied by the landmark MNC Expert Panel through the lens of the 2002 National Definition and contemporary Métis governance.

During its year-long study, the MNC Expert Panel reviewed over 50,000 pages of evidence, engaged with over 160 Métis Nation citizens, elders, youth, scholars, and leaders during more than 120 hours of meetings, and visited the Sault Ste. Marie Historic Métis Community to engage with and gather additional evidence from community members themselves.

The MNC Expert Panel’s 260-page Final Report represented the most comprehensive, transparent, ethical, and objective study ever conducted on historic Métis Nation communities in what is now Ontario and outlined fact-based historic and contemporary relationships between the Sault Ste. Marie Historic Métis Community and the larger Métis Nation.

The Expert Panel’s conclusions were unambiguous, stating that the Sault Ste. Marie Historic Métis Community “clearly meets the threshold and is a member of the Métis Nation” (pg. 138) as per the National Definition and contemporary Métis governance.

The Expert Panel also highlighted the Métis Nation’s long history of recognizing and claiming the Sault Ste. Marie Historic Métis Community, before and after its landmark Supreme Court of Canada victory in Powley, emphasizing that, “Following the decision in Powley, all Métis Nation leaders celebrated, including David Chartrand, Clemént Chartier, and Audrey Poitras” (pg. 68), concluding that:

“when evidence related to the maps is viewed together with the fact that the National Definition was established in the years and months leading up to Powley being heard by the SCC, it is both logical and credible that, at the very least, the National Definition is inclusive of Rainy Lake/Lake of the Woods and Sault Ste. Marie, as a constituent part of the Great Lakes Métis and Métis Nation” (pg. 89).

See Our Sources

• MNC Expert Panel Final Report

• Upper Great Lakes Submission to the MNC Expert Panel

• Threads of the Sash: Sault Ste. Marie Historic Métis Community

• MNO’s Written Submission to the MNC Expert Panel

• Expert Panel – Métis National Council

• MNC Expert Panel Enabling Resolutions and Terms of Reference

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