Treaty ‘Gathering’ deemed educational

After four days of discussions amongst the 11 national Indian treaties, with some influential and notable First Nations’ speakers taking the stage, the fourth-annual Indian Treaties 1-11 National Gathering wrapped up here earlier this month.
“I think the gathering went well,” said Nick Mainville Jr., one of the three organizers.
“Our high point was 800 people all in one day,” he noted. “That, in itself, was a success—just getting that many people out.”
Mainville said despite all the hard work it took to organize and run the “Gathering,” the outcome made it all worthwhile.
Just meeting people from all across Canada, talking and networking with different councillors and grassroots people, alone made it an educational and worthwhile experience, he claimed.
He also noted this was the largest gathering Treaty #3 area had ever hosted.
Mainville attributed the excitement and anticipation that hung in the air to this, and also to the fact that people were anxious to see what would happen as a result of their meeting.
Visitors, too, showed their enjoyment as they expressed their appreciation for the hospitality and accommodations they received during their stay here.
Mainville said the best part of the “Gathering” was the strength and hope that came out of it.
“There were a lot of discussions about our respective treaty areas that we belong to as First Nations’ people and there was a lot of reaffirmation that, as a people, we would help each other out with our different issues, especially when it came to land claim disputes,” he noted, referring to the upcoming legal issues that will arise when the 99-year lease on Pither’s Point here expires next year.
The only thing Mainville was disappointed with was the number of youths who rallied under the tent at Pither’s Point. “One of the things I was expecting was to see a lot more youth attend,” he admitted.
After many speeches that each of the leaders made about the importance of passing customs on to the children, and having young people actively pursuing their native culture, many were disappointed to see the low number of youth attendees.
If he were to be involved in the “Gathering” as a volunteer next year, Mainville vowed he would work hard to draw youths to the festivities and really get them involved.
But all in all, the event was seen as a success, and there is hope the “Gathering” only will get better every year and that members of the First Nations’ communities across Canada will continue to press forward for change
and accomplishment.