Marcel Menard, President of the Lower Thames Métis Council, has called a meeting of CMC Community Councils in his area for January 30th, 2000. All Presidents, of course, are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held at the Econo Lodge at hwy 401 and Hwy 21, Exit 109 South, at 2:00PM, January 30th. An agenda and an RSVP will be sent to everyone early in the new year. Marcel can be contacted at (519)674-2147 or fax at (519)674-2464.

Assembly

The CMC Assembly will be held July 14, 15, and 16, 2000. We are requesting that any Community interested in hosting the Assembly submit a letter of interest to CMC head office by January 24, 2000, outlining facilities available in your community and plans you may have for the assembly. Please phone head office for additional information.

Elections

There will be an election held before March 1, 2000, for the positions of Corporate President (currently held by John Roberts in an acting capacity), and Vice-President (currently held by Elize Hartley). Both of these positions became vacant during 1999, and the two incumbents agreed to accept the positions on a temporary basis. 
Don Cadeau has agreed to coordinate this election,which will be conducted through mail-in ballot. All CMC members will be eligible for nomination. If you wish to run for either of these positions, please FAX Don Cadeau at (705)534-3201, stating which position you wish to run for and the signatures of two nominators, by January 24th, 2000. Please also include a brief biography of yourself which will be sent to voters. Neither of these positions have to be based in Hamilton, but some travel between your location and Head Office will be required.

Inverarden House Museum

Parks Canada will turn over Inverarden House, in Cornwall, Ontario, to CMC on january 1st, 2000. It is our intention to turn this museum into a Métis Museum of Culture and History, and to open in April to coincide with the tourist season. This project is being funded by Heritage Canada and the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. We will be hiring a Curator for this museum before April ( a call for resumés will be sent out in January), and we are appealing to members of all Métis Organizations to become involved and to lend us any artifacts which might be in their possession. These artifacts will remain your possessions, and will be stored and exhibited under strict guidelines set by the government. Please contact the head office at 1-800-615-6466 or (905)575-2042.

Winter Heat

The Britt & District Métis Council and the Port McNicoll Métis Council have intiated a coat exchange service called "Winter Heat". In exchange for a can of food, or a non-perishable food item, you will receive a warm coat and the food items will be donated to less fortunate people.

Missing Parents

Richard Ononhyateckha Degenaar:  Can they be re-united by Métis Aboriginal People? We are looking for any information on the whereabouts of this man's parents. He was born August 20, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario. Richard was adopted from the Hamilton Children's Aid when he was 8 days old. Last knowledge/contact of parents was in James Bay, Ontario area 27 years ago.
Parents names: Mother: Elizabeth Nenrica Degenaar
                        Father: Franciscus Johns Maria Degenaar
If you have any information please contact Don Cadeau, Port Mcnicoll Métis Council at (705)534-3058 or FAX (705)534-3201 or email: [email protected]

Thanks from Port McNicoll

We, the Port McNicoll Métis Council would like to take this opportunity to thank those important people who participated in this most successful Christmas parade that was so well enjoyed by all. The volunteers of the yearly event such as Mike Tinney, Parade Chairman and his helper along with Municipal Mayors such as George McDonald, Anthony Lancia and MP Paul Devellier (Chair of the Liberal caucus) to name but a few, Valerie the crowd correspondent, announcers Lorraine dacali and Fred Hacker and citizens in attendance who made the parade a success. "GREAT JOB!" Thank you for entertaining us.

I would personally like to thank those others who also live by the reciprocal Métis standard "when you receive, you give back to the community and the people willingly and unselfishly without a hidden agenda", and giving thanks quietly. On behalf of the Canadian Métis Council and our local community, the Port McNicoll Métis Council, again "GREAT JOB!", to Jean Strath, Marlene Crow, Vivian Wilson, Less Lantz Parade Committee and their children who participated. We thank you, you make us proud!

We received Honourable Mention by Mike Tinney, and he requested a return match. It was a close tie. To Neil Starth, a very special thanks for unselfishly donating his very important time, his truck, platform bed and his personal donation of the banner "Canadian Métis Council".

"It is neither wealth nor ancestry, but honourable committment and noble disposition that makes one great".

Don Cadeau, President, Port McNicoll Métis Council & Provincial Elder of the Canadian Métis Council.