Chief reminds Crown to honour treaties 250 years later

Chief Isadore Wiindategowinini Day’s speech from Treaty of Niagara celebration, Aug. 2, 2014.

Boozhoo, Aahnii. Gwiiskwi Migisi Nini n’dznikaaz. Genzhe n’dodem. Genaabajing n’doonjibaa. Gemaa maanda Chi Genebek Ziibiing Anishinabek.

Geget sa naa chi-nendaagwod maamwe-yaang maan pii noongwa niijkiwenag gewiinwaa yaawaat. – My Name is Isadore Day, I am the elected Chief of Serpent River First Nation and the Lake Huron Regional Grand Chief of the Anishinabek Nation. My Anishinabe name is Screaming Eagle Man – I am of the Fish Clan.

We give the first acknowledgement to the Creator, our Ancestors, and Our Mother the Earth – for the gifts and sustenance of life.

My Ancestors, Shingwauk, Wiindawtegowinini and Genebek were treaty signatories of the Manitoulin Treaty and the Robinson Huron Treaty – they were Chiefs of the Three Fires Confederacy. Today we honor their descendants; 24 Nations that gathered here to affirm ‘Our Sovereignty and Nationhood,’ that we still hold today.

Respectfully, I also wish to acknowledge the Ancestral Lands of the Ongweohnge, in which we are convening this historic meeting and thank Elders; Citizens; Chiefs, Faithkeepers, Crown Dignitaries and friends – for your presence.

Miigwetch to those that brought their sacred; Wampum beads, belts, pipes, drums – these items are a very important recognition of instruction, ceremony and protocol. Miigwetch for all of the opening reflection and prayers. We are thankful that the Creator has once again has also freely given us vision. We acknowledge these gifts and recognize our humanity by sharing with each other our ideas for a way forward.

To the Crown Dignitaries with us today; thank you for your gracious acknowledgements and respect that you are giving to this very important commemoration and for being here with us for this very critical two and a half century marker; not only the past – but for our way forward. The way both Our Ancestors did.

It’s time to recount, reflect and  renew; today we bare witness to a commitment together, the sacred protocol of “polishing the chain.” I wish to acknowledge our faith and knowledge keepers.

Throughout Canada’s history, Indigenous peoples have helped shape this land into the country we know today. Before Canada became a country, Britain’s military alliances with First Nations were a key part of the defensive network of Britain’s North American aspirations.

During the War of 1812, First Nations warriors and Métis fighters played important roles in the defense of these British territories against invading American forces. Thousands of First Nations warriors and Métis fighters battled beside British troops and settler militias during the war. But how did that come to be?

History unraveled – tells of a time when these pipes were brought together to petition the Creator and ancestors for direction and strength to make these decisions. This was important in the making of Peace and Friendship; these protocols were necessary in making Treaty.

The very important history we are recounting today of the 1763 Royal Proclamation and the 1746 Treaty of Niagara, bring to bare a very critical point in our history, and our future – of what we now know as Canada; recognizing Sovereignty and Nationhood of the First People. Canadians must be advised – we are not a conquered people.

Today it will be important that we define carefully what the path means going forward. We formally affirm Our Commitments!

The Wampum Belt that I have been instructed to bring to this significant commemoration is the 1764 Treaty of Niagara Wampum Belt; references the vital importance of the “Covenant Chain”. Today, this treaty belt is as important to the First Peoples and the Settler Government, as it was when it was first presented. But today, we also solemnly recognize that if we do not polish the tarnished relationship that holds us together – the chain will seize with struggle and unnecessary stress – potentially immobilizing and rendering useless the treaty itself.

During Sir William Johnson’s tenure as Indian Superintendent for the Northern Province representing the English King from 1755 – 1774, “wampum diplomacy” was an important institution that we recognize here, on this day. His gesture of treaty has always been acknowledge by our Nations here on Turtle Island; today we recount and reconnect to those principles of Peace and Friendship, and to the Promises that bind us together.

As such,  in your respective roles and authorities we seek to formally acknowledge this day – to recognize the great history of alliance; we seek to make once again, a Covenant Chain bond that shines of Peace, Friendship and Prosperity  – only this time; that Indigenous People are treated with honor, respect and dignity so that Our Children can be proud of their Ancestry without the pain of poverty, confusion, or betrayal.

We as Chiefs and Warriors of our respective Nations – petition you the Crown, to recognize this ceremony as a formal beginning to polish the “covenant chain” and displace any illusion of nostalgia or faint pondering of history.  This day is critical in affirming your institution called the Honour of the Crown. This honour is a vital under-fabric on which the formal integrity of Canada’s Constitution sits – without it Canada is not legitimate – treaties must be honoured.

As a direct descendant of Warriors that defended this land – we are prepared once again to offer a stern commitment to Our Children – to protect their life, their livelihood, their future and their connection to the Land – to fight for their Sovereignty.

We as First People, have long desire to collaborate with you; to chip away at the tarnish and dark stains that have been left on this sacred chain as a result of infractions and impositions of selfish colonial pursuits and the injudicious way that your forefathers treated the First People of here on Turtle Island.

Taking Our Grandfathers and Grandmothers and stealing from them their Cultures, Languages – their human dignity, as feely given to them by the Creator; stealing land that was not yours to assume through devious and foreign devices called your laws; this is the tarnish that stains two and a half centuries of treaty.

Today, we question carefully – and make very clear this question:    “in the eyes of the Creator and His Great Law of Peace, – what provisions in this treaty remain; so that we can shine and strengthen this chain; for Our Children today and theirs Children – and what are you prepared to undertake?”

As a Chief elected under a system that was altered with interference – the Indian Act, today I urge the Crown to heed to this shameful history, not to fear away from the shame, but to accept it with grace and commitment to denounce its devious intent to oppress our people – and to work on very clear strategies to correct the wrongs of your forefathers.

In this light, and without reservation; we must be stern Minister! We are going to define, we are going to take back, we are going to control, and we are going to repossess the resources to put First Nation Jurisdiction back on the treaty blanket – only this time; you, the Crown cannot take it and be trusted with it. First Nation Jurisdiction belongs to us through rights and were always our responsibilities inherent to us from the Creator. This will be done in a way that saves harmless your dignity and upholds our treaty responsibilities to high diplomacy and peace.

Carefully and calculated, we must polish every link on the chain.

• The Protection and Preservation of Land;
• The Welfare of Our Children and Future Generations;
• The Carriage and Conventions of Our Governance;
• The Livelihood and Wealth of Our Nations;
• The Representation of Our Sovereignty and Nationhood;

These are all parts of this Covenant Chain that must be examined closely as we correct the corrosive history and colonial damage that has been inflicted on our Nations unjustly.

Minister, as set out by the “principle promise” in the Treaty, I respectfully request that you to bring to your superiors a petition: to make a formal announcement in your government house at Queens Park, in the Ontario Legislature; and by way of formal motion and decree – your governments commitment to actively pursue all means necessary to “polish the covenant chain” and to earnestly begin a true dialogue on First Nation Law and Jurisdiction as it affects the treaty partners in Ontario.

Minister, it is unmistakable; that Ontario is in a position to help establish a new “National Dialogue” on treaties, aimed at restoring the Honor of the Crown and finally bringing forward a polished Covenant Chain  to show to all other Jurisdictions across land and sea. Your commitment here today, can give the next generation a dignified and honorable way forward to effectively restore Constitutional relations and uphold the treaties that are requisite to legitimatize Canada.

Today, we begin this process by asking you to be clear, not only in your mind, but in your heart about what steps are necessary to begin this important work – we remain in waiting to uphold the rigor and effort needed to Our treaty obligation.

Minister, we implore you to seek out any and all resolve in polishing this covenant chain.   May the Creators love be with us all – for the sake of Our Nations – Miigwetch!