Last Raise in 1874 for Robinson Huron
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Page 1 Volume 24 Issue 7 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 SEPTEMBER 2012 Jordan Nolan, member of the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, brought the trophy home to his community of Garden River First Nation Aug. 20. More on Page 9. – Photo by Melissa Lesage, Marketing/Communications Intern, Garden River First Nation. Last raise in 1874 for Robinson Huron By Mary Laronde tember 9th, 1850, the Anishinabek (“Ojibewa Indi- UOI Offi ces – First Nations parties to the Robinson ans”) agreed to share their lands and resources with Huron Treaty haven’t seen their benefi ts increased in the newcomers – approximately 35,700 square miles 138 years. of territory. In return, the Crown, among other things, Chiefs representing the 21 First Nations who par- was supposed to pay annuities that were to be aug- ticipated in the 1850 treaty ceremonies have notifi ed mented from time to time. the Crown that they intend to commence an action to The Chiefs are seeking an accounting, want the have the annuities provisions of the pact enforced by level of annuities increased, and are claiming com- the courts if a settlement cannot be negotiated. pensation for losses suffered as a result of the Crown’s The Notice of Claim was served upon Her Maj- failure to increase the annuities under the treaty, as esty the Queen in Right of Canada and Her Majesty promised. They have given notice to Canada and the Queen in Right of Ontario, on behalf of Treaty Ontario that they intend to commence a court action benefi ciaries, each of whom currently receives $4 per against the Crown should it refuse to engage in nego- year. The annuity has not increased since 1874. tiations, or in the event negotiations fail. The Notice “This day is a long time coming,” said Patrick of Claim was served Sept. 10 at the Ontario Legis- Madahbee, Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek lature at Queen’s Park in Toronto on the Lieutenant Nation. “I hope every benefi ciary of the Robinson Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David Onley. Huron Treaty joins me in saying ‘miigwetch’ to our It has also been served on the Governor General of Robinson Huron Chiefs for taking this gigantic step Canada, The Right Honourable David Johnston. together. Serpent River First Nation Chief Isadore Day “The Treaty is pretty clear that the annuities would serves as Robinson Huron Treaty Commissioner for increase when the resource revenue generated from the Anishinabek Nation. the territory increased,” said Madahbee, who helped “I am holding out hope that the Crown will choose initiate this process over 30 years ago. “It couldn’t be to negotiate and engage in negotiations to settle our plainer that the territory has generated vast amounts claim,” he said. “We are in for a battle that could take of revenues from forestry, mining and other resource a lot of time. I urge our citizens to be patient and to development. Still we receive four dollars per year. continue their support.” That is unfair and not what we bargained for.” Chief Day also noted that the number of benefi cia- The Grand Council Chief pointed to the annual ries is unknown. report of the Mining Association of Canada, which “I am a direct descendant of Wiindawtegowinini, referenced an estimated $9 billion in payments last a signatory chief. I am a benefi ciary but my brother year to provincial and federal governments in ag- is not. Many benefi ciaries were illegally disentitled gregate mining taxes and royalties, corporate income to their treaty benefi ts through federal policy and leg- Lake Huron Regional Chief and Anishinabek Robinson-Huron taxes and personal income taxes. islation around ‘status indians’. Treaty entitlement Treaty Commissioner Isadore Day collects his annuity from INAC “Corporations have realized trillions of dollars and Indian status are not the same thing. Our treaty representative Janice Brisson. “Collecting the $4 a year treaty in resource wealth from our territories. And various predates the 1867 British North America Act and the annuity is important not from an economic gain perspective, but we collect this pittance under the sacred obligation of ‘honoring’ the levels of government in Canada are taking big shares Indian Act and it is constitutionally protected. I would treaty relationship,” says Chief Day. “The ‘Spirit and intent’ of our of that wealth, some of which rightfully belongs to say that trumps the Indian Act.” treaties is a legal imperative that will eventually be formally called the First Nations who agreed to treaties like Robinson There are 21 First Nations parties to the Robin- into question either in negotiations or in the courts. The reality Huron.” son Huron Treaty, 19 Anishinabek communites plus is that the four dollar annuity is legally wrong from a contractual Under the Robinson Huron Treaty, signed on Sep- Batchewana and Shawanaga. perspective.” – Photo by Lisa Abel Page 2 Anishinabek News September 2012 ‘Take-it-or-leave-it’ approach the real problem OTTAWA – The federal govern- agreement, and the average nego- tantly bad that we can’t even look “If they’re genuine about munities have been negotiating ment’s “take-it-or-leave-it” ap- tiating time is 15 years. at them. (This announcement) is accelerating negotiations with for almost 20 years, land use re- proach is a major stumbling block Madahbee said he views these their way of saying ‘Well, we’ve groups that are ready to move, strictions and a federal demand to success in First Nations self- sorts of announcements “with come to an impasse, we’re not go- that’s great,” said Madahbee. that communities pay taxes once government negotiations. caution” because “history has ing to be able to move on this one, “But, we haven’t seen anything they achieve self-government, Anishinabek Nation Grand taught us that talk is cheap.” so we’ll move on to somebody like that happen so far.” are mostly likely to be the issues Council Chief Patrick Madahbee The Grand Council Chief said else,’ ” said Madahbee. The Union of Ontario Indians that stall talks, said Madahbee. was responding to an announce- that negotiations typically fall A spokesman for Duncan said is currently at a Final Agreement “That’s part of their strategy: they ment by the federal government down when the federal govern- that under the new approach, if the stage on both its self-government send in negotiators and bureau- that it is changing the way it ne- ment comes to the table with a parties cannot agree, “we would agreement and a deal on educa- crats with no authority to make gotiates treaties and self-govern- “take it or leave it” offer on issues consider suspending those” dis- tion. “We’re waiting for some any decisions to prolong or disen- ment agreements with First Na- such as a self-government agree- cussions, but that the government fi scal offers from the federal gov- gage the discussions.” tions. ment or an education plan. The plans to “engage with” aboriginal ernment and they keep getting The federal government is Minister of Indian and North- Union of Ontario Indians, which groups and provincial and ter- delayed,” he said. “We’re ready involved in 93 separate negotia- ern Affairs John Duncan an- represents 39 communities and ritorial partners in the coming to move and we’ve got plans in tions, 44 per cent of which have nounced his plan to implement 55,000 citizens of the Anishina- months to fi gure out where the place -- specifi cally on education lasted 16 to 20 years. a “results-based approach” to bek Nation, has been negotiating government should “focus its re- -- but now the government is talk- Liberal Aboriginal Affairs negotiations in response to a de- education and self-government sources to achieve faster results.” ing about their own model so I cades-long process in which some agreements with the federal gov- “Canada will also look at don’t know why they spent years critic Carolyn Bennett said the communities have been mired. ernment since 1993 and 1997 re- ways to speed up its internal pro- working with our community to onus is on the federal government According to department data, it spectively. cesses,” said a government press develop something.” to come to the negotiating table can take up to 30 years to reach an “Some of the offers are so bla- release. In Ontario, where some com- prepared to make a deal. Core-funding cuts latest Canadian effort attack First Nations UOI OFFICES – On the heels of recent cuts to First Nation services in such key areas as health and social services, the federal government is further marginalizing First Nation organizations by cutting core funding by ten per cent to representative organizations like the Union of Ontario Indians. “It’s a shame that Canada has decided to cut First Nation budgets in Northern Superior picks order to justify its attacks on First Nations in general,” says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. “Canada has made a lot Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee, right, congratulated re-elected Northern Superior Grand Chief of statements about how they want to work with First Nations, yet every Peter Collins, centre, and Ed Wawia, chosen the region’s member to the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council. –Photo by Judy Currie time we turn around they’re cutting funding to health,social services and other key areas that impact First Nations peoples’ day-to-day lives. Let’s be truthful here, Despite legislation, land still ours Canada is aiming to divide First Nation communities so they can create a vacuum in order to gain control over ourpeople and our land.” By Jody Kechego (in isolation) understands the legal land claim with a First Nation “It’s clear to me that Canada and even Ontario to a degree, has three Despite our challenges with weight of our underlying title to unless that First Nation agrees to objectives when it comes to First Nations People: divide, control and government policies, racist views our land.