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The MNO Registry
(Nation vs Organization)
The Métis Nation is distinct
among Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Its Aboriginal treaty
rights are recognized and affirmed under Section 35
of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Registry of the Métis
Nation of Ontario issues Métis citizenship to
those who can supply genealogical documentation and
proof of Aboriginal ancestry. It is this application
process which establishes the Métis Nation of
Ontario’s credibility and integrity – thus
distinguishing it from organizations which merely issue
membership without documentation.
The purpose of the MNO Registry is
to list Métis people in the Province of Ontario
who meet the standards for registration in accordance
with criteria established by the Métis National
Council that represents the historic Métis Nation
in Canada. The Métis Nation of Ontario is in
charge of our own registry in order to ensure credibility
and control. In numerous instances, our people have
been held back by the question, "Who are the Métis?"
In order to avoid this hindrance in future negotiations
for the Métis in Ontario, the MNO's registry
process has been established. The MNO Registry is the
only one of its kind. It fulfills the fundamental right
of self-determination of the Métis Nation to
establish its own citizenship based on the universal
standards of self identification and community acceptance.
As a result of these strict criteria
and the integrity of its process, the MNO Registry has
gained credibility as a reliable listing of the Métis
in the Province of Ontario. This is invaluable in negotiations
with government for the recognition of the rights of
those who claim to be Métis. Since 1994 the MNO
registry processed 20,954 applications for citizenship
received from all regions of Ontario. There are currently
13,755 registered MNO citizens. As many as 5,659 applicants
are currently in the process of obtaining citizenship.
Métis citizens are part of a centralized registry
with valid genealogical documentation on file. MNO's
appointed Registrar is the only person authorized to
approve an application to ensure consistency and integrity
of citizenship.
Two international principles form
the basis for the recognition of the Métis as
a people: self identification and community acceptance.
To be registered in the Métis Nation of Ontario,
applicants must obviously self-identify as Métis,
but the Métis Nation must also accept them. Acceptance
by the Métis Nation is dependent upon the following
criteria:
National Definition of
Métis
As
Adopted at the Métis National Council’s
18th AGA in Edmonton, AB on September 27th -28th, 2002
1.1 "Métis" means a person who self-identifies
as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal
peoples, is of Historic Métis Nation ancestry,
and is accepted by the Métis Nation.
Defined Terms in National Definition of Métis
1.2 "Historic Métis Nation"
means the Aboriginal people then known as Métis
or Half-breeds who resided in the Historic Métis
Nation Homeland
1.3 "Historic Métis Nation
Homeland" means the area of land in west central
North America used and occupied as the traditional
territory of the Métis or Half-breeds as they
were then known.
1.4 "Métis Nation"
means the Aboriginal people descended from the Historic
Métis Nation which is now comprised of all
Métis Nation citizens and is one of the "aboriginal
peoples of Canada" within the meaning of s.35
of the Constitution Act 1982.
1.5 "Distinct from other Aboriginal
peoples" means distinct for cultural and nationhood
purposes.
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