SASKATOON 鈥� Family first. Cassidy Caron chose this as she decided not to seek re-election as M茅tis National Council President in September. For her, three years of serving as the Council鈥檚 leader is enough to do her share to advance the M茅tis citizens鈥� cause.
Caron was born and raised in Rossland, B.C., where she led the M茅tis Youth BC and was the M茅tis Nation BC鈥檚 Youth Minister for four years before being the first elected female president of the National Council in 2021.
However, her family comes from M茅tis communities in Saskatchewan. Her great-grandfather, Jean Caron Sr., had a house in Batoche that was destroyed during the historic Battle of Batoche, while her maternal grandmother鈥檚 family was among the first that settled in St. Louis.
She recalled that the MNC back then needed rebuilding as an Indigenous organization, where she worked committedly and did so with the help of the board of governors, composed of presidents of each Nation in the country 鈥� and guidance from their elders.
鈥淔rom the outset of my term, I committed to leading this period of change and transition. Three years later, I'm very proud of what we have accomplished. We have truly transformed the [MNC]. The MNC is now a transparent, accountable and effective organization that works for our M茅tis government,鈥� said Caron, who attended last week鈥檚 Back to Batoche festival.
鈥淚'm proud of our work together and confident we will leave behind a strong, functioning, and ethical organization with exceptional and dedicated staff for the next generation of leaders. I have incredible hope for the future of the M茅tis nation, our communities and our families.鈥�
She thanked everyone who guided and helped her and for the trust they gave her in the three years leading the Council. Now, she embarks on another journey of raising a family as she and her husband, Paul, are expecting their first child.
鈥淢y husband Paul and I are very excited to be expecting our first baby and we will soon raise a member of the next generation of proud M茅tis who will be part of this bright future. I want to express my deepest gratitude as I leave my role,鈥� said Caron.
鈥淚 can not wait to come back [in Batoche] next year with my baby to show where they come from and all they must be proud of. Thank you for your invaluable support and kindness over the last three years. I couldn't have done this work without you.鈥�
She added that their ancestors, especially Louis Riel and other leaders who fought for their rights, would have been proud to see the changes and accomplishments that M茅tis communities had achieved over the years.
Caron also headed the MNC鈥檚 delegation, which was joined by First Nations and Inuit representatives, to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican. It is one of the highlights of Caron鈥檚 term as president, where she helped tell the stories of M茅tis residential school survivors and their diverse communities.
A few weeks after being elected as council president in September 2021, Caron called a meeting with the board of governors to plan who would be part of their delegation who would represent the entire M茅tis Nation. The meeting took place from March 28 to April 1, 2022.
