REMINDER - Metis Gather in Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY, ON--(Marketwired - August 22, 2014) -  Hundreds of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens from across the province are gathering for the 21^st MNO Annual General Assembly (AGA), which takes place August 23-25 in Thunder Bay. MNO President Gary Lipinski and other members of the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) along with regionally and locally elected MNO leaders will be in attendance. The Hon. David Zimmer, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon. Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and the Hon. Bill Mauro, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry will be speaking at the opening ceremonies Saturday morning and Ministers Zimmer and Gravelle will be participating in the traditional arrival of Métis Voyageur canoes Friday evening.

The traditional welcoming ceremony is taking place on Friday, August 22 at 7:00 pm at Chippewa Park beach and will feature ceremonial canoes paddled by Métis leaders and dignitaries. In addition, members of the MNO Canoe Expedition, a group of Métis youth who paddled from Ottawa to Thunder Bay this summer will complete their epic journey during the welcome ceremony. In their amazing 90 day trek these young people travelled over 2000 kilometres and visited communities along the historic fur trade routes of their voyageur ancestors. More information on the MNO Canoe Expedition can be found on the MNO website at: http://www.metisnation.org/programs/education--training/canoe-expedition-2014

The formal AGA begins at 8:15 am at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay and will include a ceremonial procession as well as greetings from Métis, government and business leaders.

The full AGA agenda is enclosed with this media advisory.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2014/8/21/11G020369/Images/IMG_0048-1089727101262.JPG

Attachment Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2014/8/21/11G020369/AGA-2014-schedule-web-471354201015.pdf