The Métis Nation carries deep cultural ties to lands and waters across the Homeland and shares a kinship to, and respect for, complex and diverse ecosystems. The relationship to the land, air and water guides teachings on how to trap, hunt, fish, gather medicines and practice the Métis way of life. This connection is central to Métis identity, and the Métis National Council (MNC) plays a national and international role in advocating for policy advancement and investment in initiatives that strengthen this relationship through self-determined Métis nature and conservation priorities.
Through the “Honouring Kinship & Knowledge Sharing to Advance Métis Nature Priorities” Initiative, the MNC will support the launch and implementation of a national strategy for nature and conservation that has been co-developed with MNC’s Governing Members, Elders and Youth, host a first of its kind Knowledge Sharing Summit, create several new relationships and formalize a select few with signed partnership agreements, and generate collaborative research and resources using braided knowledge systems that support nature and conservation policy and actions.
The project will be strongly rooted in self-determined nature priorities, and in four key Métis concepts and teachings: Wahkohtowin, Otipemisiwak, Miyo-pimatishiwin, and Kiyokewin. This grounding will ensure the project advances in a good way, and strong relationships are developed to last far beyond the project’s timeframe.
