Gary Lipinski announces retirement as Metis Nation of Ontario president

The Metis Nation of Ontario president is retiring after eight years leading the organization.

Gary Lipinski announced Monday he will not be seeking re-election in May to continue leading the MNO.

“It has been a great honour to work and serve our Metis citizens but I want to spend a little more time with the family and enjoying the great north here,” he said.

“Being out on the land a little more, a little more fishing, going out on the lake, going to the cabin or cottage, that sort of thing.”

Lipinski began serving on the local metis council in 1993 before moving on to hold a seat on the regional council for just under two terms. He then won the right to serve three terms as vice president and won two elections over the last eight years to be the MNO’s provincial leader.

He counts a framework signed between the Metis and Ontario in 2008 among his career highlights. It played a part in launching the $30-million annual Voyageur Development Fund, which supports Metis business development. Other programs launched since are aimed at healing and wellness, education and training, and support for children and youth.

“It kind of took us from an era of denial leading us toward steps to reconciliation,” he said.

“If we can get our children and youth a great education over the long run, some of the social problems that affect a lot of indigenous peoples will begin to fall off the table.”

Lipinski sees promise in the future for Ontario’s Metis population, the second largest in the country. The Supreme Court of Canada will soon issue a decision on the Daniels Case, which will decide whether Metis issues will be handled through federal or provincial jurisdiction.

He said Metis people have the ear of the new Liberal government in Ottawa and expects constitutional issues will have increased prominence in the coming years.

“The newly elected federal government made some very wonderful and strong commitments in dealing with the Metis Nation if elected, including dealing with a land claims process for Metis. I think in he short future, you’ll see land claims being filed to deal with some of our historic grievances and a further recognition of Metis people as one of the three distinct Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.”