The Society was created by descendants to rebuild the historic Michel Callihoo Nation and pursue federal recognition.Five separate descendant organizations agreed to unite under one representative body so Canada would have a single organization to work with, which is a requirement for recognition.The Society’s role is administrative: to organize governance, engage descendants, and get the Nation to the point where descendants elect their own government.Members may come from different backgrounds and live in different locations - but all have one objective, and that’s to see this process through, so descendants can decide their future together.

Since incorporation, MCNS has submitted a formal Band Creation application (2022; updated 2024), strengthened its governance framework at the request of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).The Statement of Intent (SOI) helped to identify descendants and secure their intention to be part of the MCNS process – through which more than 1,600 Statements of Intent have been gathered from descendants, while maintaining ongoing engagement with federal officials.The Band Creation process continues to move forward in a constructive and disciplined way, supported by a positive and collaborative working relationship with Indigenous Services Canada.This progress has also been made possible through the pivotal role of Maurice Law, which has supported the Nation’s recognition efforts for several years on a contingency basis - advancing this work without payment while helping guide the Band Creation process.

A Statement of Intent is a voluntary declaration submitted by a descendant of the Michel Band indicating their intention to be recognized as part of the Michel Callihoo Nation descendant community - and to stay informed about, and potentially participate in, the Nation’s ongoing governance, engagement, and federal recognition processes.The Statement of Intent serves several important purposes:Identification of descendantsIt allows the Society to identify and document individuals who are descendants of the historic Michel Band and who wish to be connected to the Nation’s future.Building a descendant registryIt helps establish a preliminary list of interested descendants so the Society can communicate updates, consultations, and engagement opportunities related to governance and recognition.Demonstrating community interest and continuityIt provides evidence that descendants remain connected to the Nation and are interested in participating in its re-establishment and future governance.Supporting future recognition processesA record of descendant engagement may assist the Nation in demonstrating continuity, community interest, and participation as discussions with Canada regarding recognition evolve.

Submitting a Statement of Intent does not determine membership or citizenship, nor does it confer legal rights or benefits. Rather, it is an expression of interest and connection, ensuring that descendants have the opportunity to stay informed and participate as the Michel Callihoo Nation continues its work toward recognition and self-determination.

The Statement of Intent application and detailed steps involved, can be found hereSigned forms can be sent to Maurice Law #203, 21553 Chief Lapotac Blvd., Box 830 Enoch, Alberta T7X 3Y3 – or emailed via e-signed or hand-signed and scanned copy to Jennifer

Given that MCNS’s Band creation submission is currently under review, there is currently no deadline for completing and sending the Statement of Intent to Maurice Law. Prior to Canada’s determination on whether to enter into a formal Band Creation process with MCNS, Maurice Law is pro-actively collecting Statements of Intent from Michel descendants.The Statement of Intent must be completed before the Initial Band List is created. The timeline for the Minister to create a Band under s 17 of the Indian Act is unknown.The sooner you complete a Statement of Intent and provide it to Maurice Law, the easier it will be to ensure you will be considered for the Initial Band List if the MCNS enters into a formal Band Creation process with Canada.

Those who have filled out a Statement of Intent application will receive newsletter updates and the MCNS website will be updated as developments warrant.As meeting and/or events are scheduled, meeting notices will also be issued.

No organization can claim unanimous agreement. However, the Statement of Intent (SOI) helped to identify descendants and secure their intention to be part of the MCNS process – through which more than 1,600 Statements of Intent have been gathered from descendants to date, while maintaining ongoing engagement with federal officials.

Completion of the Statement of Intent indicates to Canada that individual descendants are requesting and consent to being placed on the initial section 11 Band List as a member of the Michel Callihoo Nation. Descendants will decide that together through a future ratification process.

The Society can’t comment on specifics because there are matters before the courts. What they can say is that decisions were made to keep the organization functioning and protect the recognition process.At this stage, governance stability is critical. Decisions were made through the Society’s lawful procedures to ensure leadership remained aligned and the work could continue for all descendants.

Actions taken by the Board, protected the process. Maintaining a functioning board ensures Canada has a working organization to deal with, which keeps the process alive.MCNS exists to pursue federal Band recognition in a disciplined, responsible, and community-driven manner for the benefit of current and future generations.It is also to create the administrative and operational foundation in advance of band creation that will ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place.As discussions with Canada continue, MCNS’s priority remains responsible stewardship of the recognition process and preserving unity within the broader community.

Because the recognition process cannot pause. Federal engagement requires a functioning organization at all times and waiting could have risked losing the opportunity for descendants.

They were taken to protect the integrity of the recognition process, so the opportunity can continue for Nation rebuilding.Nation rebuilding is complex and leadership’s responsibility is to safeguard the process so descendants can ultimately decide their future.

Because recognition is an active federal process. Canada will only engage with a single functioning representative organization.If that organization stops functioning, the recognition opportunity can stall or collapse.

MCNS is an administrative society supporting the recognition process and band creation process. It is not the elected government of a reconstituted Nation.Directors are temporary administrators guiding the process until descendants approve a constitution and elect their own leadership. Their focus hasn’t changed. The goal is to get the Nation to the point where descendants themselves approve a constitution and elect leadership. This process is about transferring authority to the community.

This process will take time, perhaps years - which is normal for recognition processes.

Descendants will approve a constitution and elect leadership themselves.

To communicate openly, remain accountable, and move forward carefully so descendants can make the final decisions together.What matters most is that we continue to treat one another with respect and remember the larger purpose that connects us.The pursuit of recognition carries deep meaning. It is about restoring dignity, acknowledging history, and creating stability for future generations.That responsibility calls on all of us to move forward with patience, humility, and unity.

Rebuilding a Nation is complex and sometimes challenging, but those challenges do not change the purpose.The Michel Callihoo Nation Society exists for a singular reason: to pursue federal Band recognition in a disciplined, responsible, and community-driven way for the benefit of more than 1,600 descendants and their families.The Board remains focused on stability, continuity, and safeguarding a process that carries deep historical, cultural, and generational significance.As discussions with Canada continue, the Society’s priority is responsible stewardship of the recognition process and preserving unity within the broader community, so descendants can ultimately decide their Nation’s future on a stable and lasting foundation.