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After years in the making, the draft Archaeological Management Plan (“AMP”) was released by the County of Simcoe on Nov. 7, 2019. You would think after all this time, loads of money spent, and a plethora of experts involved, the basic facts would be correct. Wrong.
In the Metis section, the County relies on 2001 census data showing there were “4,230 declared Metis in Simcoe County”. The most recent 2016 census, which was analyzed and reported on by County staff, shows there were 10,885 Metis - over 50% of the total County Indigenous population . Censuses were also done in 2006 and 2011 but the County ignored them as well. (Click this link to see the data)
Why did the the County use historical data that understates the Metis population by 257%? We don’t think it was accidental. It’s part of a plan to assimilate or exterminate Metis through a variety of paper techniques. We call it paper genocide.
We asked for the draft AMP three months ago and the County refused. We obtained access to the AMP at the same time as the public and have five days to prepare a submission and attend the meeting scheduled for Nov. 12, 2019.
Five days is not enough time to analyze the report, consult with our community and other Metis organizations, and provide a professional response, but it does fit nicely with the County plan to make us disappear.
Another favourite paper technique of the County, and Townships like Oro-Medonte, is to withhold public information. To prepare the Indigenous consultation list, the County claims they met with Ontario government officials numerous times. But when asked for the names and positions of those officials the County refused, claiming it was personal and private information.
So much for a transparent process.
We’ll file an appeal with the Ontario Privacy Commissioner to obtain those names and positions, and are confident we will succeed, but by the time it’s resolved the officials may be long gone (if they existed at all).
The AMP will be in place, the public will have forgotten about Metis exclusion, the Ontario government officials are not accountable, and the false narrative is firmly entrenched as another page in the book of Metis paper genocide.
The County, and Townships like Oro-Medonte, are actively engaged in a policy of assimilation or extermination of Metis people, which they claim is supported by the Ontario government, and the AMP is another example of this policy in action.
Keith Doxsee
Grand Chief, Metis First Nation
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