During the 2024 PCMNO election, a barrier to citizens receiving voter information was due to the lack of updated registry files within the MNO. To rectify this, the MNO Registry will be holding two sessions May 7 at the Barrie South Simcoe Metis Council Office and the Georgian Bay Metis Council on May 8. At these registration sessions, citizens will be able to update their registry information or apply for citizenship if they or their family members are unregistered. Unregistered citizens do not have access to the supports available at the Metis Nation of Ontario such as the Emergency Home Repair program or the youth programs.

Citizens will also be able to inquire about and apply for a harvesting card should they wish to do so. These harvesting cards will allow Metis citizens to harvest in their ancestral communities.

Speaking of harvesting, on May 5 the Barrie South Simcoe Metis Council will be in Awenda Provincial Park in Tiny Township with citizens to participate in a morning of foraging for morels to learn more about harvesting in our area.

On May 7, the NWMO and the Georgian Bay Traditional Territory Committee will be holding a dinner in Owen Sound for citizens to learn more about the potential Deep Geological Repository that will either be place in Ignace or Teeswater. Citizens will be able to ask both the GBTTC and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization questions about Nuclear Safety and the potential site.

Barrie South Simcoe Metis Council and Moon River Citizens will be holding their annual Youth Camp May 31 – June 2 in Severn Bridge. Youth and their families will participate in cultural activities on the land.

To learn more about programs available in your area, please reach out to your local Metis Council.