FORT FRANCES—The Treaty #3 area (Couchiching, Nigigoonsiminikanning, Stanjikoming, and Naicatchewenin) will host the fourth-annual “National Indian Treaties 1-11 Gathering” from Aug. 5-8 at Pither’s Point Park in Fort Frances.
Some 2,000 people will flood into Fort Frances to take part in ceremonies, discussions, and seminars concerning treaty law and sovereignty.
These gatherings are quite prestigious, with notable speakers and guests attending and presenting, including former Assembly of First Nations national chief Ovide Mercredi and Elijah Harper, a well-known Manitoba politician and band chief.
Invitations also have been extended to other ministers and politicians, including federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion, and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.
Ovide Mercredi contacted the Treaty #3 band office back in March and asked if they would like to host this year’s event.
Treaty #3 previously had not participated in this event. Although some had attended, they had never participated fully with the events and ceremonies.
This was one reason provided for the gathering being held here.
More important, Treaty #3 had developed a resource law in the late 1990s called Manito Aki Inakonigaawin (otherwise known as the Great Earth Law).
Under this law, it is essential that anyone wishing to use the land for reasons including, but not limited to, forestry, mining, hydro, highways, and pipeline systems must consult with the Treaty #3 Grand Council first.
This is to ensure legal certainty, legitimization of developments, to establish strong working environments, and, most importantly, to not adversely effect the treaty or the Anishinaabe values.
To date, there’s no other treaty that has developed any such land and resource law and, as such, made Treaty #3 a prime candidate for holding this gathering.
“It is important to us that we not only encourage educating our own treaty but also other First Nations and all communities,” said Nick Mainville Jr., one of the organizers of this event, which primarily is held for the purposes of spreading education and promoting pathways forward in other communities.
“The gathering is focused on Indian treaties but it is also open to all people of all walks of life to come and learn.”
Mainville added that laws and sovereignty will be the topic of discussion and anyone interested in learning, whether a member of First Nations or not, is welcome to attend.
The three organizers of the event—Mainville, Darren Harper, and Pam Marsden—are expecting to have roughly 2,000 people from all across Canada take part.
Because so many different people, with many different ceremonies and customs, will be joining together for this gathering, Mainville predicts the tone of the event will be really special.
“The tone will be set by the grassroots people that are going to show up,” he stressed. “The way I understand it is that in the past, they have had a lot of different ceremonies—ceremonies that are foreign even to these territories and to our special ceremonies.
“That, in itself, will be very interesting.”
Between all of the attendees and the special guests, organizers predict this event will open partnerships and pathways of learning.
“When you talk about events likes this, you are really talking about a partnership,” said Chief Gary Allan. “It is a partnership between our First Nations, our Fort Frances community, and also all of the people who attend.
“First, it is a partnership because of the kind of economy that 2,000 people will bring to the town of Fort Frances and also it is a partnership in the sharing of knowledge with the other treaty areas,” he added.
Chief Allan also noted the many examples of misunderstanding that have prevailed between the Government of Canada, non-aboriginal citizens, and those members of the First Nations communities.
He hopes that with events such as these gatherings, where education and moving forward are promoted, that these misunderstandings eventually can fall away and create a new understanding.
In related news, there will be a fundraiser golf tournament for the Treaties 1-11 Gathering on Monday, Aug. 4 at Heron Landing on Couchiching, which is open to all.
The tournament will feature a four-person scramble format, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.
The entry fee is $500 per team, but the prize pay-out is $3,000 for the winner down to $500 for the sixth-place team.
Organizers are looking for 40 teams to sign up. To register, call Brian Johnstone at Heron Landing (274-5678).
Proceeds of this tournament will go towards the incurred costs of holding the gathering.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
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