Métis Nation of Ontario
- Home
- Métis Nation of Ontario
Métis Provincial Programs and Services
Métis Nation of Ontario
Our Work
Have a question or need assistance?
We’re here to help — reach out to us today and let’s start the conversation!
Economic Development
- The MNO successfully delivers Labour Market Programs and Projects in apprenticeships, tourism and hospitality, energy, and housing and mining. Through these programs and projects, MNO has the opportunity to provide focused training in specific areas and sectors where employment opportunities are available or will be available in the near future.
- Labour Market Projects provide additional opportunities for Métis people to gain skills, education and training that will enable them to obtain employment in a variety of sectors.
- Skills training and development is a critical component for supporting Métis people in achieving their career aspirations and advancing the interests of Métis communities across Ontario. In support of this goal, MNO provides a comprehensive suite of employment programs and services that include career counselling, employment readiness training, wage subsidies, apprenticeship support, mobility assistance, self-employment, youth initiatives and services for clients with disabilities. Programs and services are delivered through community-based service sites across the province.
- The MVDF provides financing and business development support that pushes forward Ontario Métis owned businesses.
- The mandate permits the provision of financing at lower interest rates and fewer restrictions than commercial lenders.
- The MVDF also provides on-going support for Métis businesses in Ontario and helps build business plans, facilitates training and more.
Culture
- Michif is the language of the Métis people. Like most Indigenous languages the number of Michif speakers declined due to the colonization process that attempted to stamp out the use of languages other than English and French in Canada. Efforts are now underway to preserve the Michif language and introduce it to Métis youth and a new generation of speakers.
- MNO provides opportunities and support to access resources to deliver activities that incorporate language dialects, engagement activities that strengthen dialects, and opportunities to share language with others.
Education & Training
- The goal of this program is to identify and provide supports for Métis students and their families as they progress along in their learning journeys with the aim of helping to improve their learning outcomes.
- The program is offered Ontario wide and is for Métis children and youth and their families who are experiencing issues or challenges in the following areas: attendance, suspensions, social isolation, individual education planning, behavioural planning, specialized placement for children with exceptionalities, mental health or learning disabilities, communications with the school, and reaching academic potential.
- The goal of the Post-Secondary Education Programs is to promote accessible education and education-related services and initiatives for Métis learners at the post-secondary level.
- The MNO prioritizes the following six key focus areas within Post-Secondary Education: student success and transitions curriculum and institutional changes that meet the unique needs of Métis learners, Indigenous Education Committee participation and community involvement, research and curriculum development, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between post-secondary institutions and the MNO, and direct PSE student support programs.
Child and Family Services
- The mission of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Early Learning and Child Care Program (ELCC) is to improve access to culturally grounded early learning opportunities for Métis individuals, families, and the Métis community as a whole.
- MNO does this by promoting and fostering community development and providing the care and support necessary to meet the fundamental needs of citizens by providing greater access to ELCC services for communities and families; access to Métis-specific Early Learning and Child Care programming, creating safe spaces, and providing opportunities for Métis children to learn off the land and grow within their culture.
- Aims to prevent and disrupt the cycle of violence in Métis families through supportive, preventative, and educational activities for children and youth ages 0-18 and their families.
- Program aims to address the needs of families healing from violence, have children in the care of family services and youth involved in the justice system.
- Coordinators develop and implement family wellness plans that are specific to the needs of individuals and families.
- Community Support Services Program. The Community Support Services Program (CSS) provides information, advocacy and practical support that allow individuals to remain in their homes for as long as possible. The emphasis is on service for elders with health issues or isolated people with a chronic disease and having difficulty in the management of the disease, or dealing with a terminal illness. These services are provided through specific function centres that are Medical Transport; Friendly Visiting; some caregiver assistance and a Security Checks is service that provides isolated persons or those with Alzheimer Disease or other dementias, with regular contact to determine that the client is not in crisis or at risk of harm. This service may be provided by a person visiting the home or by telephone that checks the health and safety of the client.
- The program supports pregnant individuals and children 0 to 6 months of age and their families.
- Program staff provide access to knowledge, skills, and healthy foods that support healthy pregnancies and early infant nutrition
- Program Staff work to help improve the health, welfare, and well being of off-reserve Indigenous mothers and babies. The focus of the program is to help expecting mothers and families to access the knowledge and resources that will give them the best chance to begin their families from a nutritionally grounded perspective.
- The program includes a wide range of services and supports for Métis children, youth, and adults.
- Individual counseling services are offered by Métis clinicians who provide services using a Métis cultural lens.
- The program provides comprehensive assessment, treatment, and follow up services from mental health and addiction professionals, many of which are Métis and/or bilingual.
- The program also includes health promotion initiatives focused on non-commercial tobacco use, cannabis use, and technology dependencies (including gaming and gambling addictions).
- The Aging at Home Program’s purpose is to provide and offer supports that are intended to afford opportunities for these individuals to remain living in their own home.
- Support services could include; Home care which could be assisting with preparation for bath; Light housekeeping; Laundry and meal preparation; Friendly visiting as a means of reducing isolation or scheduling transport for the individual to continue to manage affairs outside of their home such as banking or grocery shopping and considers the availability of family supports.
- Diabetes Program The MNO’s Diabetes Program Is a dedicated venue to explore culturally meaningful ways to provide education, support, awareness and perspective to Métis people about the prevention and mitigation of diabetes.
- The goal of the program is to ensure equitable access to resources, support, and knowledge for Métis families so their children have the best opportunity to thrive.
- The program supports for prenatal and postnatal care and parenting to assist families in creating an environment for healthy child development.
- The program provides services for children up to 6 years of age and is also open to any family that requests assistance.
Poverty Alleviation
- Funded through Reaching Home, the program is designed to address the growing issue of homelessness and housing instability by providing eviction prevention and housing stabilization services.
- Supports individuals and families who are homeless, at immediate risk of becoming homeless, or in an unstable housing situation.
- Services include housing-based case management, tenant education as well as direct financial supports for rental arrears, utility arrears, food security, as well as specific supports for those exiting homelessness or fleeing abuse such as first and/or last months rent, household set-up and moving costs
- MNO owns two Métis-specific housing developments offered with affordable rents
- Sault Ste Marie has 20, 2-bedroom townhouse units.
- Toronto has 6 condos made up of 2 and 3-bedroom units.
- Future affordable rentals are planned for Midland and Kenora.
- Thunder Bay Youth Services Outreach Team: providing outreach services to Indigenous youth 18-34 years of age experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of becoming homeless in the Thunder Bay area.
- The Financial Literacy Program offers one on one supports, education, and workshops to Métis citizens with the goal of improving their financial literacy by building knowledge within budgeting and savings, retirement planning, striving to be debt free, understanding credit scores, fraud protection and the home buying process.
- The Home Buyers Contribution Program (HBC) aims to provide a down payment contribution to Metis citizens and their families who are first time home buyers
- The Emergency Repair Program (ERP) supports Métis homeowners with a one-time forgivable loan towards emergency home repairs and/or accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities
Justice and Advocacy
- The program offers culturally relevant victim services to address, deter and end violence against Métis women and children.
- Services address the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual impacts of victimization.
- This Program provides support to communities by engaging at the provincial level and the local level within the Ottawa area. The program works to support our communities by creating new partnerships, tools, and training resources to increase knowledge about human trafficking issues as well as raise awareness about trafficking risks and the supports that are available throughout the province of Ontario to address issues related to human trafficking.
- In Ottawa the program provides direct programming, drop-in, and client supports for people who may be at risk for harm related to the spectrum of issues associated with human trafficking.
- The program offers a variety of comprehensive services that are culturally responsive and designed to address the needs of Métis citizens and communities through a restorative justice approach.
- The Métis Justice Liaison program provides public education and resources on justice related topics to enhance legal literacy amongst Métis citizens. It also facilitates internal and external referrals for citizens seeking support.
- The Métis Criminal/Family Court Worker Program is available to clients going to court in Region 8 (Brampton, Oshawa, Newmarket, Toronto courts) and can facilitate in-court and out-of-court support to clients faced with criminal or family law matters. The Métis Court Worker cannot provide legal advice but can provide information to clients about their charges, rights, and options; attend court with clients in a supportive capacity; create bail release plans; and act as an advocate on the client’s behalf. The Métis Criminal/Family Court Worker can also refer clients to further appropriate resources for their matter or individual needs.
- The Métis Gladue Aftercare program is available to individuals with recent or current involvement in the criminal justice system. The program supports individuals who have undergone diversion, have recently been incarcerated, or who have recently been in contact with the criminal justice system by offering culturally-relevant action plans. The action plan will support access to services by internal MNO programs and external programs/services as required for the participant’s unique healing journey.