The Northwestern Ontario Métis Community (NWOMC) has a long and vibrant history. Prior to Canada becoming Canada, the Métis Nation emerged—as a distinct Indigenous people—in what was known as the historic North-West. Within what would ultimately become known as Northwestern Ontario, an inter-related group of Métis families (who were often referred to as ‘Halfbreeds’ in the historic record) evolved into a distinct regional rights-bearing Métis community, which is now known as the NWOMC.

We are the only Métis community in Canada to have collectively signed a historic treaty. Historically, Canada only negotiated treaties with First Nations; however, the one exception occurred in 1875 when the “Halfbreeds of Rainy River and Rainy Lake” as a distinct Métis community signed an adhesion to Treaty No.3  

Today, the NWOMC is comprised of over 3,000 Métis citizens. As part of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO), the NWOMC is represented by four Chartered Community Councils as well as a Regional Councilor who sits on the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO).

Fort Frances, 1857. Watercolour by John Arnot Fleming.
Source: Toronto Public Library