OTTAWA --- Tony Belcourt, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has announced that he will not seek another mandate in the upcoming MNO Elections on May 5, 2008. Belcourt has served as the MNO’s President since its founding conference in 1994.

“The MNO is in its strongest position ever and I am anxious to devote my time to our cause in different ways”, Mr. Belcourt said. “Serving as MNO President has been an incredible honour and the support I have enjoyed has added to the excitement of the position. However, the MNO is at a watershed in its development with great opportunity on the horizon. It is time that the MNO had a new leader who would bring a fresh approach to the positive new circumstances before us and draw in new energies to meet the challenges of the future.

“We have had extraordinary growth and success since our committee formed the MNO nearly 15 years ago on October 2, 1993. We have put in place the fundamentals for Métis governance including the MNO Registry and our MNO Harvesting Policy that are the underpinnings of our MNO/MNR Harvesting Agreement. We have successfully fought for the recognition of our constitutional rights in the Supreme Court of Canada. Our people now, more than ever before, are coming forward to outwardly declare their pride in being Métis. Our MNO citizens are enthusiastic about their communities and about being actively involved as volunteers to assist in so many ways – from governance to long-term care of those in need.”

“We are entering a new era. We have finally crossed over from only dealing with governments in the courts to now dealing with them through framework agreements and new tables of negotiations. The MNO has been well served by its leaders on the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) and at the community level. We have a strong and dedicated staff who give tirelessly to their positions and to the service of the Métis Nation. We are fortunate that there are many among us with the experience, knowledge, vision and commitment to take us forward at the political level. I commend and thank the PCMNO, and in particular my colleagues on the Executive, for their fortitude and support because without it, we could not have achieved the measure of success that we now enjoy. I am indebted to them and to all MNO citizens for the confidence they have given to me. I have enjoyed a rare privilege to have served as the President of the MNO and will continue my support of the Nation and our leadership in every way possible in the future.”

CONTACT:
Katelin Peltier
Acting Manager of Communications
Work: 613-798-1488 Ext. 108
Cell: 613-859-7130