CENSUS:
Métis report biggest increase of Aboriginal
Populations in Ontario
Tuesday,
January 15, 2008 -- Métis Nation of Ontario
Press Release
(Ottawa, ON) –
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is very pleased
with the report by Statistics Canada that pegs
the number of Métis in Ontario at the level
consistent with MNO estimates. Statistics Canada
recording of Canada’s Aboriginal Population
found the highest increase among the Métis
in Ontario. According to the release the number,
of individuals who self-identified as being Métis
within the province of Ontario, has risen to 73,
605 which is consistent with the numbers reflected
by the MNO Registry of Métis Citizens,
which is the first of its kind within Canada.
| "The Métis represent
33% of the overall Aboriginal population in
Canada, however the disparity continues to
remain that the Métis do not receive
funding from the Federal or Provincial Governments
that are proportionate to the statistics." |
The Métis represent 33%
of the overall Aboriginal population in Canada,
however the disparity continues to remain that
the Métis do not receive funding from the
Federal or Provincial Governments that are proportionate
to the statistics. As an example, the Aboriginal
Healing and Wellness Strategy, which is delivered
by the Ontario Provincial Government, has an annual
budget of 48M but allocates only 3.35% of this
funding to the Métis Nation of Ontario.
It must also be noted, that the Métis do
not receive any funds from the Federal Indian
and Inuit Affairs Branch whose budget is exclusively
for Status Indians and Inuit.
MNO President Tony Belcourt
said, “The Métis Nation of Ontario
is not advocating that the funds set aside for
First Nations be diverted to the Métis
people. We are however calling upon both federal
and provincial governments to fulfill Canada’s
constitutional obligations to all of the Aboriginal
peoples of this country including the Métis.
This latest Census Canada data points to glaring
discrepancies in funding and we call on both levels
of government to rectify the situation that there
clearly are not enough funds set aside to address
the needs of our people respectively.”
Belcourt further stated, “The
recent analysis is consistent with the trend of
the past 10 years, whereby the Census reports
of Métis population within Ontario and
Canada continue to rise. We are pleased that the
numbers finally fall in line with what we know
to be true in Ontario. This is obviously an indication
that the Métis people in Ontario have shed
the yolk of fear of identity in this province,
and are now proud to come forward and identify
as Métis, not only to the MNO Registrar
but publicly as well.
The Métis are a distinct
Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language
and heritage, and with an ancestral Homeland that
centres around Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan,
Alberta, British Columbia, parts of the Northwest
Territories, as well as the northwestern United
States. The Métis played an instrumental
role in the shaping of Canada, and work tirelessly
to share their culture, music, traditions and knowledge
of the environment with their fellow Canadians.
Today, the Métis live, work, raise their
families and pay taxes in communities all across
Canada.
CONTACT:
Katelin
Peltier
Acting Manager of Communications
Work: 613-798-1488 Ext. 108
Cell: 613-859-7130
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