(May 22, 2025 – Toronto, Ont.) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict issued the following statement in support of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s (SON) new research, Assessing Métis Historical Claims to Rights in SON Territory, released today:

“The Chiefs of Ontario stands in full support of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in their release of Assessing Métis Historical Claims to Rights in SON Territory Report, which serves to protect their homelands and the assertion of their inherent rights and jurisdiction on their traditional and Treaty territories,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict.

The report, prepared by two award-winning scholars, Dr. Heidi Bohaker, Professor of History at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Chandra Murdoch, a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Osgoode Hall Law School, was initiated in response to concerns from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) about claims being made by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and the Historic Saugeen Métis (HSM) in their territory.

The report provides detailed historical analysis and reaffirms the long-standing and exclusive presence of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation on these lands since time immemorial. Drs. Bohaker and Murdoch found that there is no evidence in the historical record of any community within SON’s territory that would meet the criteria set by the Supreme Court of Canada for a “distinct Métis community” capable of holding section 35 rights. These findings are consistent with the findings of multiple other academic studies, including reports commissioned by the Wabun Tribal Council (2022), Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin (2023), and the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (2024).

The growing number of academics, First Nation, Métis and of settler descent alike who have come to similar conclusions about the MNO’s claims demonstrates the fundamental weakness of such claims. This growing academic consensus also discredits inflammatory accusations made against those who question the factual basis for the MNO’s claims.

First Nations recognize that this is a complicated issue—however there needs to be space for First Nations to examine groups seeking to make claims in their territories.

“First Nations examining and investigating potentially false rights holder claims within their territories is an exercise of jurisdiction and community sovereignty. The protection of inherent rights, lands waters, resources is paramount for the true rights holders and is essential to nation building,” said Ontario Regional Chief Benedict.

“We commend the Saugeen Ojibway Nation for undertaking this important and courageous work. We continue to be unified in our fight to protect First Nations Ancestral and Treaty territories and legitimate Indigenous claims to traditional land and other rights. We also continue to call on Canada and Ontario to stop enabling unfounded claims to First Nations land and to consult meaningfully with First Nations.”

Read the full research report, Assessing Métis Historical Claims to Rights in SON Territory here and the press release from SON here

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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