The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is seeking citizen input to ensure that Métis rights, interests, and traditional knowledge are meaningfully included in the way provincial environmental assessments are used to identify and protect wetlands. Wetlands are vital for biodiversity, water quality, harvesting, medicine, and culture. Recent provincial changes (Bill 23 and Bill 5) have altered some regulations, and your voice is needed to help shape how the MNO advocates for better, more inclusive, and respectful wetland management in Ontario.
Part 1: Connection to Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge

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1. Which MNO Region do you reside in? (Required.)

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2. Which MNO Region do you harvest in? (Required.)

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3. How do you or your family use wetlands in your Region? (Choose all that apply) (Required.)

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4. What changes have you observed in your local wetlands over the past 10–20 years? (Required.)

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5. Do you have knowledge regarding specific, traditional uses of wetland plants or animals? (Required.)

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6. If yes, what plants/animal species do you use? How do you use each plant/animal species identified?

Part 2: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge

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7. Which of the following elements of Métis knowledge do you believe are most crucial for assessing a wetland's health? (Rank the answers below, with 1 being the most important element to you) (Required.)

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8. How important is it that Métis Traditional Knowledge is used alongside scientific data, like the Canadian National Wetlands Inventory (*CNWI), to accurately map the wetlands across Ontario? *CNWI is a comprehensive, publicly available national geodatabase that maps wetlands across Canada bringing together the best available wetland data in a standardized format verified for consistency, reliability, and accuracy. (Required.)

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9. How important is it that Métis Traditional Knowledge is used alongside scientific data, like the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (*OWES), to decide if a wetland is designated as "Provincially Significant"? *OWES is the provincial "rulebook" for valuing wetlands, and determines whether a wetland is designated “Provincially Significant”. A Provincially Significant wetland receives special protection. (Required.)

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10. What is the best way for the province to gather this knowledge from citizens? (Required.)

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11. How can we ensure that sharing this knowledge respects the privacy of Métis traditions? (Required.)

Part 3: Evaluation and Protection Priorities

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12. Currently, wetland evaluation is often done by technical experts. Should Métis citizens participate directly in the field evaluation process? (Required.)

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13. If yes, in what role?

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14. What should the province prioritize when evaluating a wetland? (Select your top 2 choices) (Required.)

Part 4: Specific Wetlands and Areas of Concern
The province often evaluates wetlands based on broad categories, but your knowledge of specific locations is essential for identifying sites that may be overlooked.

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15. Are there specific wetlands in your region that you believe should be evaluated/re-evaluated for "Provincially Significant" status? (Required.)

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16. If yes, please describe the area(s), approximate location(s) (e.g., nearest town, road, or waterbody), and coordinates.

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17. Why is this specific wetland a priority for you? (Select all that apply) (Required.)

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18. Have you noticed any "wetland complexes" (groups of smaller, connected wetlands) that are being treated as isolated pockets? Note: Recent provincial changes may no longer automatically protect these groups of smaller, connected wetlands as a single, combined unit. (Required.)

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19. If yes, please describe the area(s), approximate location(s) (e.g., nearest town, road, or waterbody), and coordinates.

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20. Which of these broader "Areas of Concern" are most relevant to your harvesting or traditional territory? (Select all that apply) (Required.)

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21. Have you noticed changes in water levels or shoreline vegetation that affect fish spawning in your Region? (Required.)

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22. Has the drainage of local swamps increased the severity of seasonal flooding in your community? (Required.)

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23. Are you losing access to traditional harvesting at wetland sites due to new housing developments or private property fencing? (Required.)

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24. In your experience, are there specific "indicators" of wetland health that the province's current science-only approach misses? Examples: Changes in the taste of water, the arrival timing of specific birds, or the thickness of certain mosses. (Required.)

Part 5: Mapping Your Knowledge

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25. If the MNO were to create a "Traditional Land Use" map for wetlands, would you be willing to share approximate locations of your harvesting or cultural sites to ensure they may be protected from development? (Required.)

Part 6: Future Actions

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26. Are you interested in participating in future MNO workshops or monitoring programs (e.g., Wetland Mapping, Wetland Guardianship, Wetland Assessments, etc.)? (Required.)

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27. Do you have any other comments on how to improve wetland protection in Ontario?

Part 7: Knowledge Sovereignty & Data Privacy

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28. Consent for Internal Use
Do you consent to the MNO Environment and Climate Change team using your responses to develop internal reports, advocacy documents, wetland protection strategies? (Required.)

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29. Consent for External Advocacy (Government/Industry)
If the MNO needs to share information with the Province of Ontario (MNRF) or industry proponents to protect a specific wetland, how would you like your knowledge shared? (Required.)

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30. Sensitive Locations (Buffer Zones)
To protect sensitive sites (e.g., rare medicine patches or family harvesting spots), would you prefer the MNO use "Buffer Zones" (marking a 1–5 km area as sensitive) rather than pinpointing the exact location on a map? (Required.)

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31. What is your name? (Required.)

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33. What is your phone number?

You are at the end of the Survey. Thank you for your time and for sharing your knowledge to protect our lands and waters.

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