Metis Nation of Ontario and Greenstone sign historic agreement

The president of the Metis Nation of Ontario and the Mayor of the Municipality of Greenstone signed an historic agreement Thursdayin Thunder Bay.

Metis leader Gary Lipinski said the General Relationship Agreement is the first of its kind in Ontario.

He said it outlines how the nation and the municipality will work togetherand consult each other on a variety of issues, including economic development initiatives.

Agreement is a 'game-changer'

Lipinski said the document is a "great partnership agreement."

"So often Metis people, and in larger terms Aboriginal people, have kind of been invited to the dance, or the dinner, after the fact. So the fact that we're here in discussions before things are rolled out, or before things are spelled out, or before things have happened, we're actually part of the discussion, part of the decision-making process, part of the planning process about events that may come to fruition down the road is a significant game-changer," said Lipinski.

Greenstone Mayor Renald Beaulieu said the document will allow both the municipalityand the MetisNation to take advantage of new opportunities such as the Ring of Fire and Premier Gold mining developments, and the Energy Eastpipeline project.

'Opened up the doors'

"We're talking about infrastructure. We're talking about road access. We're talking about the environment. So we want to be on the same side," said Beaulieu.

"You know we used to stay each in our little corners, I find, at one time. Now, we've opened up the doors. This is so exciting for me as the mayor of Greenstone... We're doing this because we want to be able to talk to the decision-makers, to the leaders, the people that have influence on their people and we have influence on our own people, so I think moving forward this is going to be just great for all of northwestern Ontario, and great for our region, and great for the Metis association," said Beaulieu.

Lipinski said the agreement doesn't dictate consensus on every issue, but it does provide an outline for collaboration and cooperation.

"I love that expression that says there doesn't have to be winners and losers... It doesn't mean we'll be together on every issue. It doesn't mean we'll be involved on every issue. Issues where there's mutual concern and we have a desire and a commitment to work together and balance those issues then the opportunity is there" said Lipinski.

Beaulieu said, at the core, the agreement acknowledges the diversityof people living in northern Ontario.

"They go to school together. They're educated together. They end up getting married together. The mix is there. It just hasn't been recognized in the same way we're doing it. We're making this official. You know what, for Greenstone, for the Metis Nation of Ontario it's important to be able to work together, and that's what we're reinforcing also."

Both Beaulieu and Lipinski said theyhope the General Relationship Agreement will be a model for other communities, and municipalities.