recognized and legislated as a third order of government. The Government of Saskatchewan enacted The Métis Act (Chapter M-14.01 of the Statutes of Saskatchewan, 2001) to promote and strengthen Métis governance of their institutions and communities through partnership between the Government of Canada, Government of Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, and established Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. pursuant to The Métis Act. Métis National Council The Métis National Council (MNC) is a national organization that advocates on behalf of the five governing members of the Métis Nation in Canada. The Métis National Council is a partnership between Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Métis Nation British Columbia. The presidents of each of the five governing members form the Board of Governors, and the Métis National Council General Assembly consists of 15 elected provincial voting delegates from the three founding members (Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Alberta) and five elected provincial voting delegates from the non-founding members (Métis Nation of Ontario and Métis Nation British Columbia). The delegates for the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan are the Provincial Métis Council and any remaining seats can be filled from members chosen from the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly. Affiliates Métis Nation—Saskatchewan has established several affiliates that support the needs of Métis citizens in Saskatchewan. These affiliates include: Back to Batoche; Clarence Campeau Development Fund; Gabriel Dumont Institute; Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan (MACSI); Provincial Métis Housing Corporation (PMHC); and SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO). The Métis Nation Legislative Assembly, on behalf of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, exercises all voting rights, power, and duties of ownership of the affiliates, in accordance with the recommendations provided by the Provincial Métis Council. The member of the Métis Nation Legislative Assembly with the portfolio responsible for the affiliate sits as the chairperson of that affiliate. However, under non-profit legislation, the affiliates are independent to the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. Citizenship in the Métis Nation In 2000, the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan formally adopted the National Definition of Métis: DEFINITION (amended January 2004) Métis means a person, who self identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry and is accepted by the Métis Nation. "Historic Métis Nation" means the Aboriginal people then known as Métis or Half-breeds who resided in the Historic Métis Nation Homeland. "Historic Métis Nation Homeland" means the area of west central North America used and occupied as the