History of Métis National Council in Timeline

The Métis National Council (MNC) is the representative body for the Métis people of northwestern Canada. It operates both nationally and internationally, guided by the elected leaders of the Métis Nation's provincial governments. The MNC's primary objective is to ensure the Métis Nation's continued well-being and place within Canada.

1982: Importance of Section 35 of the Constitution Act

In 1982, Section 35 of the Constitution Act became particularly important for the Métis National Council, giving them a foundation to advocate at the federal level in Canada.

1983: Formation of the Métis National Council

In 1983, the Métis National Council (MNC) was formed to support the recognition of the Métis as a distinct ethnicity and to advocate at the federal level in Canada.

2002: National Council Citizenship Requirements

In 2002, the National Council put in place citizenship requirements, notably the requirement for an ancestral link to the Métis homelands and the Red River area specifically. It was alleged that 90% of the Métis who have registered with the MNO did not fulfill these requirements.

April 13, 2017: Canada–Métis Nation Accord Signed

On April 13, 2017, Indigenous Affairs Canada and the Métis National Council signed the Canada–Métis Nation Accord, with the goal of working with the Métis Nation on a "nation-to-nation" basis.

2017: Self-Government Agreements Signed

In 2017, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Ontario signed self-government agreements with the government of Canada.

2018: Self-Government Agreements Signed

In 2018, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Ontario signed self-government agreements with the government of Canada.

2018: MNO Placed on Probation

In 2018, the Métis National Council placed the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) on a one-year probation due to disagreements over who is considered Métis.

November 2019: Chartier to Reduce Duties, Chartrand to Become Spokesperson

In November 2019, MNC's president, Clément Chartier, announced he would reduce his duties and allow MMF president David Chartrand to become the "national spokesperson" for MNC until a new president could be elected in April.

2019: MMF Condemns MNO and Advocates Withdrawal

In 2019, during its annual general meeting, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) adopted a resolution condemning the MNO for recognizing Métis communities outside of the traditional Métis homeland and advocated a withdrawal from the Council if it fails to uphold its citizenship requirements.

2019: Fort McKay Métis Association Votes to Secede

In 2019, the Fort McKay Métis Community Association voted to secede from the Métis Nation of Alberta.

January 2020: Tri-Council Meets with Indigenous Relations Minister

In January 2020, the three provincial organizations (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario) formed a "tri-council" and asked that the federal government deal directly with them and not with the MNC and met with Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennet.

2020: MNO Membership Suspended

In 2020, the Métis National Council suspended the membership of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

September 2021: MMF Withdraws from the Council

In September 2021, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) withdrew from the Métis National Council, citing that the MNC had "abandoned the MMF and the true Métis Nation".

2021: Alberta Métis Federation United

In 2021, separatist bodies in Alberta united under a loose umbrella group called the Alberta Métis Federation.

2021: Manitoba Metis Federation Withdraws from MNC

In 2021, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) withdrew from the Métis National Council (MNC), citing the MNC's continued recognition of the Métis Nation of Ontario and disagreements over who is considered Métis.

2023: Bill C-53 Tabled

In 2023, Bill C-53 was tabled to establish a framework to advance the recognition of the right to self-determination by the MNA, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S), and MNO, and "provide a framework for the implementation of treaties".

April 2024: MN-S Withdraws Support for Bill C-53

In April 2024, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) withdrew its support for Bill C-53, with president Glen McCallum criticizing the bill's "one size fits all" approach.

September 19, 2024: Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Withdraws from MNC

On September 19, 2024, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan passed a resolution to withdraw from the MNC, citing the need for control over identity and culture.

October 1, 2024: End of Cassidy Caron's Term as President

On October 1, 2024, Cassidy Caron's term as the president of the Métis National Council ended, and a replacement has not yet been elected.

October 31, 2024: AGM Delayed After MNBC Withdrawal

On October 31, 2024, the AGM was delayed again after Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) withdrew over an imbalance in the organisation's governance.

November 30, 2024: MNBC Votes to Withdraw from MNC

On November 30, 2024, the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) voted to withdraw from the MNC altogether.

2024: Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Withdraws from MNC

In 2024, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) withdrew from the Métis National Council (MNC), citing disagreements over who is considered Métis, following the Manitoba Metis Federation's withdrawal for similar reasons.