North of Huron Chiefs sign historic Relationship Accord

By Robert Porter  

Courtesy of Sagamok Anishnawbek News

Chiefs of three neighbouring First Nations on the north shore of Lake Huron signed a Relationship Accord on November 17.

Chief Elaine Johnston of Serpent River First Nation, Chief Reg Niganobe of Mississauga First Nation and Chief Paul Eshkakogan of Sagamok Anishnawbek signed the agreement in a ceremony beginning at 5pm at the Serpent River First Nation band administration building’s conference room. Council leadership from each of the communities, Elders and community members also observed and celebrated the agreement with a feast.

The Accord acknowledges the relationships between the communities and commits them to working together for the betterment of their peoples throughout their traditional territories.

It seeks to “modernize, elaborate and strengthen” the relations between the three communities in a way that is “based upon respect, responsibility and renewal”.  It is a vehicle to build on the relationships between the three First Nations.

The signing of the Accord is a ceremonial affirmation of the intentions of the three, and it also sets in motion work to confirm kinships, identify territories and address shared territory boundaries and governance requirements, as well as to codify traditional laws and practices.

The Accord will allow the three to act in a unified manner in responding the shared areas of concern and allowing them to begin informing external governments and development proponents of their shared interests and intentions.

Signatories commit to an ongoing process of dialogue and relationship building, addressing a range of issues and initiatives of common interest or shared concern, including:

– developing an approach and response to potential resource development projects that may have an impact on the communities due to shared territory or waters,

– facilitating relationship building amongst the Elders of the three communities, giving them the opportunity to collaborate, as well as annual gatherings between the communities to celebrate their relationships,

– addressing land and resource matters,

– establishing common positions on Treaty matters.

The three communities commit to sharing of information, seasonal meetings for the Leadership, as well as regular meetings for staff level representatives.

Following a prayer, pipe ceremony and a shared feast, the three Chiefs shared their thoughts on the new Relationship Accord.

Elaine Johnston, Chief of Serpent River First Nation, recalls regional talks with First Nations and municipal leaders concerning a potential industrial project a few years ago, saying, “Then I realized I didn’t want any proponent to pit us against each other.”

Pointing to the maps on display describing the shared land use patterns of the people of each of the First Nations communities, Johnston says that the overlapping interests of each community upon its neighbours is evident.

“Our members would travel within the traditional territories of our neighbours because we were brothers and sisters,” she says. This Relationship Accord, “is a recognition that we are brothers and sisters – Anishnaabe – and that we are stronger when we are united together.”

“More than ever, our communities need to work together, say Sagamok Chief Paul Eshkakogan, “to prepare ourselves to protect our territories and our traditional ways of life – especially when we have so many of our kids going back to our lands and ways of life.”

“This Accord,” says Chief Paul Eshkakogan, “is really about our First Nations joining forces so that we can respond to any interest that comes onto our lands.”

He looks forward to seeing the opportunities the Accord will bring the north of Huron First Nations, particularly in relation to business and economic development.  “We can be a strong force.  We need to help each other so that we too can be prosperous in the region.  We can turn things around for our people.  It’s our turn.  It’s our time.”

Chief Reg Niganobe of Mississauga First Nation says that when proponents of various projects come to the First Nations to talk about what they want to do, they have been doing so with individual First Nation communities.

“We need to talk together, as family, recognizing that we live and work and stand together.”  He says that now “they will see us as a united front.”

Niganobe concluded his signing sentiment that “It means a lot for us to come together today.  Remember this moment so that if someone ever forgets, you can remind them, or if differences ever arise, you can remind them  that “We are family.”