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Georgian Bay Metis Council
The Georgian Bay Metis Council was established 6 years ago as a non profit organization.
With membership above 1,000 and steadily rising, it clearly indicates a need for the Metis
to gather and share a common sense of identity. Citizens reside primarily in the area known
as Huronia, however there are others with local ties that have moved to larger urban areas.
The past three years has witnessed a particular increase in citizenship and this is
attributed to the desire to establish family root systems. A genealogy search is completed
with each application for citizenship to verify Metis ancestry.
Past history of their economic development focused on sales from Nevada tickets and Bingos.
The spirit of entrepreneurship is nurtured among the members by the quarterly and annual
general meetings where an update of all programs including entrepreneurial training is
presented. Guidance and entrepreneurial training are offered by the Community Development
Officer on staff. They are also in the process of creating a resource library for support
in accessing grants and writing proposals. Revenue is generated through the leasing of
office space, a minimal fee for a genealogy search, fundraising events, administration fee
from approved proposals and the sale of Georgian Bay Metis Council goods such as jackets,
baseball caps, minor crafts and key chains.
In 1998, the Georgian Bay Metis Council established the Georgian Bay Metis Development
Corporation which is the economic development arm of the Council. The Georgian Bay
Metis Development Corporation is a for profit corporation and is governed by the
Georgian Bay Metis Council.
Suggested businesses that would be successful are a Metis Gift Store and a Maintenance
Company accessing the skills of the membership. Both of these initiatives are being
pursued presently. This summer the Georgian Bay Metis Council is hosting the Metis
Nation of Ontario Annual Assembly in Penetanguishene, July 11-17, 1999. The Metis of
Georgian Bay have come a long way in the past six years and are looking forward to
increased growth in the new millenium.
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