Métis Nation of Ontario

Métis Employment Programs

• 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.

Métis Languages Initiatives

• 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 Support Advocacy Program

• 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.

Early Learning and Child Care

• 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.

Métis Family Wellbeing Program

• 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. 

 
Aging at Home Program  

 
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. 
 

Métis Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program

• 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.

Métis Housing Stabilization Program

• 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

Temporary Short-Term Rent Supplement (Ending March 2024)

• 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.

MNO Victim Services Program

• 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.