Ontario First Nation leaders tell resource companies not to negotiate with provincial Métis group

Ontario First Nation leaders used this week's Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference to demand that resource companies not negotiate with the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO).

They say the Métis group has no legitimate right to be consulted on projects on their lands or to benefit from such projects – an allegation the MNO rejects.

"There are no historic Métis in our territories," said Jason Batise, the executive director of the Wabun Tribal Council.

"And yet the Ontario government policy insists that we engage with them, that industry engage with them."

The Wabun Tribal Council is challenging the policy in court, he said.

The news conference was the latest chapter in a battle that has pitted the Chiefs of Ontario and the Manitoba Métis Federation against the Ontario Métis group, a battle that the latter characterizes as politically motivated.

It comes as Ontario premier Doug Ford, citing the economic threat posed by new American tariffs, has renewed his push to fast-track new resource development in the province – a move First Nation leaders have also pushed back against.

Batise said his community has found a path forward with industry but government requirements to consult the Métis makes the work of resource companies even more difficult. 

"We're talking about protecting the rights of First Nations," he said, "because if MNO can do it, what's next?  Who else wants to be Indigenous?" 

A provincial secretary with the Métis Nation of Ontario rejected allegations that the group's claims are illegitimate. 

"There's only one Métis community in the country that has been recognised by the Supreme Court as being Section 35 rights holding, and it is the Métis community in Sault Ste. Marie," said Mitch Case, the regional councillor for the Huron Superior Métis Community for the provisional council of the MNO.

"When we won the Powley case 20 some years ago – all of these people that are now criticizing the MNO – I could send you their press releases where they congratulated us and told us it was a victory for all Indigenous people."

One lawyer and former First Nation chief said she blames the provincial government for fanning the flames of the conflict because of a lack of care in identifying legitimate rights-holders. 

The government sends a form letter to project proponents with a list of Indigenous groups they need to consult, Sara Mainville said.