Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations - 160 year marker for change in Lake
Huron Region

MAGNETAWAN FIRST NATION, Sept. 10 /CNW/ - Representatives from three tribal councils met in Magnetawan First Nation today to talk about Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and how to advance coming from a position of strength.

The Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations hosted the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin and the North Shore Tribal Council, for this two day meeting to discuss treaty implementation and building stronger and more coordinated strategies.

Comprised of 19 communities, the Union of Ontario Indian's Lake Huron Region is located in the Robinson Huron Treaty. The treaty was entered into by Anishinabek leaders and the Crown on September 9th1850.

A presentation from Ojibwe Cultural Foundation Executive Director and Historian Alan Corbiere set a tone of clarity and truth for the Chiefs, Elders and Anishinabek Citizens in attendance.

"The truth is that one dish is empty and one is full; our treaty partner the Crown has all control and access to the wealth of our lands; and we struggle to obtain a share of the inherent wealth left to us by the Creator," says Lake Huron Regional Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini.

"Today, we as Chiefs declare that one dish can no longer be empty. We demand that all successor agencies of the Crown govern themselves according to the Spirit and Intent of our Treaty and fulfill the Sacred Obligation of Sharing; to do otherwise is unlawful and compromises the Honour of the Crown."

"The significance of this gathering is that our Tribal Council organizations are pulling together under the treaty-region planning framework to ensure that we establish a collective position of strength. It has been 160 years since the signing of this treaty, there must be a shifting of jurisdiction that recognizes our Laws; and there must be a shifting in wealth and benefit to our Children and our Families. That was the hope of our Ancestors who made Treaty with settler governments," concludes Day.

The Chiefs began their commitment to forge this Tribal Region assembly several months ago supported under the rights-based agenda of current Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee.

"We must come from a position of strength and ensure that we correct the imbalance and inequity that plagues our treaty relationship with this Crown. The Union of Ontario Indians supports the work of this Tribal Region assembly and the work that is taking place in the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory."

"Whether its education, forestry, health or economic development, everyone including industry must recognize that our Chiefs are being given a clear mandate by their citizens - 'we can no longer be left with crumbs or scraps that fall off of the table of government.' Our organizations and institutions are starting to come into their rightful place to formalize our governments," adds Grand Chief Madahbee

The next meeting of the Robinson Huron - Tribal Region assembly will take place on the North Shore Tribal Council territory and will focus towards resolutions generated in this week's meeting.

Tribal Chairpersons, Chief Lyle Sayers from North Shore Tribal Council, Chief Franklin Paibomsai, United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin and Doug Chevrier of Waabnoong Bemjiwang assisted in the processes of guiding this formation and have all endorsed the unity that is being established within the treaty region.

The heads of these organizations have strengthened their resolve in this historical process by putting the ceremonies and protocols first. The Elders and Youth have taken a very significant place in this process and it is expected that this assembly will gather its strength and position based on the voice of the Anishinabek Citizens in the respective Tribal Council Regions.

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949.  The UOI is a political advocate for 40 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people.  The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

For further information:

Marci Becking
Communications Officer
Union of Ontario Indians
Phone: [phone] (ext. 2290)
Cell:  [phone]
E-mail:  [email protected]
Add Anishinabek Nation as a "friend" on Facebook.