{"id":43,"date":"2025-07-11T10:02:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T14:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=43"},"modified":"2025-07-23T16:35:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T20:35:57","slug":"community-councils","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/chapter\/community-councils\/","title":{"raw":"Community Councils","rendered":"Community Councils"},"content":{"raw":"<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Your Community Council is probably going to be your most important connection in governance. These are the people dealing with the same challenges you face every day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_123\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"645\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.metisnation.org\/news\/mno-georgian-bay-metis-council-youth-committee-organizes-a-fishing-derby\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"M\u00e9tis youth and members from the MNO GBMC Youth Committee and Veterans\u2019 Council at the Fishing Derby\" width=\"645\" height=\"432\" class=\" wp-image-123\" \/><\/a> M\u00e9tis youth and members from the MNO GBMC Youth Committee and Veterans\u2019 Council at the Fishing Derby[\/caption]\r\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">What they actually do<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Community Councils handle local matters:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Organize events like cultural workshops<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Help people navigate MNO programs and services<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Advocate for things the community needs<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Share information from higher governance levels<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Support community members dealing with government processes<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<h1 class=\"textbox__title\" style=\"text-align: center\">Remember:<\/h1>\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Community Councils are <em>the most accessible level of the MNO governance structure<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Who's involved<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Every Community Council has their own structure but they geebnrally all have a:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>President<\/strong> - Leads the council and represents the community<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Chair <\/strong>- Supports the president and handles day-to-day coordination<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Secretary<\/strong> - Keeps records, manages communications<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Treasurer<\/strong> - Handles finances and budgets<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Councillors<\/strong> - Other community members who help with decisions<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Youth Representative<\/strong> - That's you! You represent everyone under 30. You will learn more about your position in the next section.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nSome councils also have a:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Women's Representative<\/strong> - Representing the needs and interests of women on council.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>2-Spirit Representative<\/strong> - Representing the diverse perspectives and needs of 2-Spirit people on council.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">How decisions happen<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Most councils meet monthly, sometimes more if there's a lot going on. They discuss local issues, work through budget challenges, and figure out how to get things done with limited resources.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">They follow MNO's bylaws but have flexibility to respond to what their community actually needs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">How you can participate<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Even if you're not on the council, you can:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Attend meetings (they're usually open to community members)<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Contact council members with ideas or concerns<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Volunteer when they need help with events<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Vote in elections when they happen<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The councils that work best are the ones where community members stay engaged. If people only complain but never participate, it's tough to create change.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Community Councils: Activity<\/h1>\r\nSee if you can find your local community Council in the map below!\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1Qbzbg5vF8OUqwg0cm7zZTIvE1WHg8NgG&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\r\n<div class=\"postbox h5p-sidebar\">\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>Now that you know your community Council why not take a second to reach out? Contact them using the contact information in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.metisnation.org\/community-councils\/council-contacts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this link<\/a>.<\/div>","rendered":"<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Your Community Council is probably going to be your most important connection in governance. These are the people dealing with the same challenges you face every day.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_123\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-123\" style=\"width: 645px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.metisnation.org\/news\/mno-georgian-bay-metis-council-youth-committee-organizes-a-fishing-derby\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"M\u00e9tis youth and members from the MNO GBMC Youth Committee and Veterans\u2019 Council at the Fishing Derby\" width=\"645\" height=\"432\" class=\"wp-image-123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1-65x44.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1-225x151.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1-350x235.jpg 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/438\/2025\/04\/dsc_0342_cropped-1.jpg 779w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-123\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">M\u00e9tis youth and members from the MNO GBMC Youth Committee and Veterans\u2019 Council at the Fishing Derby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">What they actually do<\/h3>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Community Councils handle local matters:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Organize events like cultural workshops<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Help people navigate MNO programs and services<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Advocate for things the community needs<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Share information from higher governance levels<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Support community members dealing with government processes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<h1 class=\"textbox__title\" style=\"text-align: center\">Remember:<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">Community Councils are <em>the most accessible level of the MNO governance structure<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">Who&#8217;s involved<\/h3>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Every Community Council has their own structure but they geebnrally all have a:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>President<\/strong> &#8211; Leads the council and represents the community<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Chair <\/strong>&#8211; Supports the president and handles day-to-day coordination<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Secretary<\/strong> &#8211; Keeps records, manages communications<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Treasurer<\/strong> &#8211; Handles finances and budgets<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Councillors<\/strong> &#8211; Other community members who help with decisions<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Youth Representative<\/strong> &#8211; That&#8217;s you! You represent everyone under 30. You will learn more about your position in the next section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some councils also have a:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Women&#8217;s Representative<\/strong> &#8211; Representing the needs and interests of women on council.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2-Spirit Representative<\/strong> &#8211; Representing the diverse perspectives and needs of 2-Spirit people on council.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">How decisions happen<\/h3>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Most councils meet monthly, sometimes more if there&#8217;s a lot going on. They discuss local issues, work through budget challenges, and figure out how to get things done with limited resources.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">They follow MNO&#8217;s bylaws but have flexibility to respond to what their community actually needs.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5\">How you can participate<\/h3>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Even if you&#8217;re not on the council, you can:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"[&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc space-y-1.5 pl-7\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Attend meetings (they&#8217;re usually open to community members)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Contact council members with ideas or concerns<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Volunteer when they need help with events<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Vote in elections when they happen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">The councils that work best are the ones where community members stay engaged. If people only complain but never participate, it&#8217;s tough to create change.<\/p>\n<h1>Community Councils: Activity<\/h1>\n<p>See if you can find your local community Council in the map below!<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1Qbzbg5vF8OUqwg0cm7zZTIvE1WHg8NgG&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"postbox h5p-sidebar\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>Now that you know your community Council why not take a second to reach out? Contact them using the contact information in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.metisnation.org\/community-councils\/council-contacts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this link<\/a>.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":467,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-43","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/43","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/467"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/43\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":130,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/43\/revisions\/130"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/43\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=43"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=43"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/mnoycleadingwithpride\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=43"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}