(Toronto, Ont.–April 4, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued the following statement on the release of the long-delayed expert panel’s report into Métis Nation of Ontario communities:

“This new Métis National Council (MNC) report into the validity of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) communities does not change the positions of either First Nations Leadership in Ontario or the Chiefs of Ontario. It is yet another misinformation campaign that has been happening for years. While the MNO is saying that it completely vindicates and legitimizes their so-called ‘new, historical communities,’ we have serious concerns. The report was not done in any arms-length manner. The report itself notes that most of the evidence it relied on came directly from the MNO,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict.

The expert panel only reviewed five sources that challenged the MNO’s position; it reviewed more than 60 documents and submissions from the MNO.

The report concludes that the seven MNO communities in Ontario meet the MNC’s national definition of Métis communities. But several legitimate Métis governments have publicly disagreed. The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) has said the MNO flies in the face of the accepted national definition and that it completely disregards the report’s findings.

In fact, the MN–S expert resigned from the panel just weeks after joining and subsequently published a scathing report questioning the legitimacy of MNO research and the MNO researcher on the expert panel.

The Manitoba Métis Federation called the report ‘questionable’ and ‘ludicrous,’ saying it perpetuates identity fraud. It speaks volumes that legitimate Métis governments have questioned the credibility of the report and its findings.

The MNC itself said in a statement that it cannot ‘approve or endorse’ the findings of the expert panel. Taken together, this report is dubious at best. At worst, it is a deliberate attempt to rewrite history.

“We are not just challenging a report, we are defending our ancestors, our oral histories, and our inherent rights, said Temagami First Nation Chief Shelly Moore-Frappier. “We will continue to push back against these manufactured claims of Indigeneity that erode the rights of First Nations in Ontario.”

We continue to call on all entities—governments, academic institutions, non-profits and industry proponents—to work with legitimate Indigenous Peoples in Canada to stop the perpetuation of harmful, false narratives about Indigeneity.

Over the coming weeks, the Chiefs of Ontario and members of the rights-assertion committee will thoroughly analyze the report and present our findings to First Nations Leadership in Ontario.

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The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

Declan Keogh
Communications Officer
Chiefs of Ontario
Mobile: 416-522-4518
Email: declan.keogh@coo.org