Anishinawbe Blog

WHITEFISH RIVER FIRST NATION, ON,June 25 /CNW/ – Chiefs of the 42 member communities of the Anishinabek Nation have launched a campaign to eliminate the inappropriate use of the term “aboriginal”.

During the annual Grand Council Assembly in this Manitoulin Island community, Chiefs endorsed a resolution that characterized the word as “another means of assimilation through the displacement of our First Nation-specific inherent and treaty rights.”

“It’s actually offensive to hear that term used in reference to First Nations citizens,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage. “Our Chiefs are giving us direction to inform government agencies, NGOs, educators and media organizations that they should discontinue using inappropriate terminology when they are referring to the Anishinabek. We respect the cultures and traditions of our Metis and Inuit brothers and sisters, but their issues are different from ours.”

The resolution notes that “there are no aboriginal bands, aboriginal reserves, or aboriginal chiefs” and that the reference to “aboriginal rights” referred to in Section 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada “was never meant to assimilate First Nations, Metis and Inuit into a homogeneous group.”

Chief Patrick Madahbee of Aundeck Omni Kaning said: “Referring to ourselves as Anishinabek is the natural thing to do because that is who we are. We are not Indians, natives, or aboriginal. We are, always have been and always will be Anishinabek.”

Beaucage said that the resolution’s goal of encouraging the use of respectful terminology could lead to changes in organizational names.

“We have lived with The Indian Act since 1876, but the legislation’s provisions are as archaic as its name – and we hope it won’t be around for too much longer.” Beaucage said the resolution could result in re-naming the Anishinabek Nation’s corporate arm, which has been known as the Union of Ontario Indians since 1949. “Those terms were acceptable then, but today we recognize them as confusing and inappropriate.”

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. 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.

WHITEFISH RIVER FIRST NATION, ON – Chiefs of the Anishinabek Nation have moved another step forward in reclaiming their jurisdiction over traditional territory by establishing a Lake Huron Treaty Commission.

“Serpent River First Nation Chief Isadore Day will be the founding Treaty Commissioner and that the Robinson-Huron Chiefs will be taking the lead on this treaty-based approach,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage. “We want to put government and industry on notice that we are going to maintain our resolve in moving forward on the treaty-based approach.”

“I am honoured and pleased to accept this post,” says Chief Day Wiindawtegowinini, “We will focus on nationhood solutions and identify clear pathways to an effective assertion of aboriginal and treaty rights for our member First Nations in the Anishinabek Nation.”

“This commission is a much-needed pillar in the process of asserting rights and responsibilities within our treaty and traditional territories,” said Chief Day. “The commission will be charged with the task of ensuring modern and effective relationships between the Lake Huron Treaty Commission and both Canada and Ontario.”

“The Ipperwash Inquiry recommendations to develop a Treaty Commission of Ontario must not be an Ontario policy-driven process; rather we are calling on both Ontario and Canada to sit with us in the original manner under which the treaties were established; on a Nation-to-Nation level,” said Chief Day.

“The development of the Lake Huron Treaty Commission is a clear flag for industry and other non-government land development proponents that the Anishinabek are a formal part of the lands and resource decision-making process with a seat at the table with both Ontario and the Federal Government,” said Chief Day. “We recognize that the implementation of treaties needs to focus on sub-mandates in other areas. The Lake Huron Treaty Commission Framework will look immediately at Lands and Resources but will also be building into the framework mandates to implement the treaty rights to Health, Education, Child Welfare, etc.”

Chief Day added that “It is critical at this point in Canada’s history that governments now recognize that our treaties are alive and that the original spirit and intent of these covenants must be respected and honoured.”

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. 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.

CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA FN – (June 11, 2008) Canada needs to demonstrate the sincerity of its apology for the legacy of Indian Residential Schools by including First Nations people in the country’s future.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage joined thousands of Canadians who watched Stephen Harper’s 3,600-word apology to First Nation, Metis and Inuit people for what the Prime Minister called “a sad chapter in our history.”

“Our first thoughts today are for our Elders,” said Beaucage. “Many of them have suffered life-long physical and emotional pain because of their residential school experiences.”

“We are so proud that many Anishinabek lived long enough to hear Canada’s apology to them. But the true test of Mr. Harper’s words will be his government’s actions to help our children have a better future than their parents and grandparents.”

“We will know the apology was sincere when our citizens have access to the same homes, jobs, education and health care as all Canadians,” said Beaucage.

The Grand Council Chief said the Prime Minister’s apology sounded genuine and he was looking forward to upcoming bilateral discussions about Anishinabek Nation priorities.

Following the upcoming Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly in Whitefish River FN, Beaucage will present Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl with a proposal to fund a language strategy that would include the establishment of a new immersion language institute to ensure the survival of the Ojiway language within the Anishinabek Nation. A language institute would help undo the loss of language experienced by most of the 80,000 residential school survivors.

“The devastating loss of language and culture suffered by First Nations people is one of the most tragic and long-lasting effects of the Indian residential school system. Today, many Anishinabek still are unable to speak their Native language,” said Grand Council Chief. “This apology needs to be the catalyst for restoring First Nations languages. Now that we’ve taken steps towards healing and reconciliation, Anishinaabemowin, our Ojibway language, cannot be allowed to die.”

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. 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.

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For more information contact:

Bob Goulais
E-mail: goubob@anishinabek.ca
Cell: (705) 498-5250