Treaty 2 Territory – The Council of Chiefs of the Government of First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory (FNiT2T) met January 25, 2019 for the Winter Session of the Governing Council. Grand Chief Eugene Eastman opened the meeting talking about the importance of moving forward to rebuild the nation and having the community involved throughout the process. Grand Chief spoke to the necessity of having members involved and the Councils included in the structure for rebuilding the Nation through the establishment of each First Nation’s constitution. Each of the Chiefs spoke as well about their continued support for FNiT2T Government and strive towards rebuilding the Nation. All nine (9) First Nations from the original making of Treaty 2 were in attendance along with Chief Barry McKay from the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve who is situated within the Treaty 2 territory. Gambler First Nation sent their regrets.
The Treaty 2 Chiefs officially welcomed both Gambler and Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve to the FNiT2T Government and a bundle ceremony will be held at each First Nation. Chief Barry McKay spoke on unity and the excitement regarding working together.
Grand Chief Eastman – “The agenda in front of us, is important. Talking about what we heard this morning already is to focus on our language. All the work that is here today was envisioned from our past leaders. They would be very proud on the movement and advancement we have made. My grandmother talked about the gathering up at Lake Katherine and the pipes they smoked. My grandmother was 90 when she passed, so growing up in the 1900s they went up to the mountains in a wagon. They agreed on issues and worked together. They put differences aside and so today we are doing the same. We thank our leaders that are gone now and saw what we are working on today. We heard for years from SCO, AMC, AFN we need to move with our treaties, now we are here today”.
Resolutions discussed included the review of 19 November 2018 Council of Chiefs who passed a number of them to advance the Nation Forward;
- 2018-11-19-001 Gambler First Nation
- 2018-11-19-002 Tooinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve
- 2018-11-19-003 Creating a Law-Making Council
- 2018-11-19-004 Protocol Agreement on Advancing Reconciliation
- 2018-11-19-005 Establishing Secretariats
- 2018-11-19-006 CFEFN Wellbeing Secretariat and Strategy
- 2018-11-19-007 Mandate of Senior Officials
More resolutions were made to give mandate to the Senior Official and staff to move the important issues forward;
- 2019-01-25-001 Revision on the Law-Making Council
- 2019-01-25-002 External Relations
- 2019-01-25-003 Territory Coalitions of Lakes and Land within Treaty 2
Staff from the Anishinaabe Agowidiiwinan provided reports to the Council Chiefs, including:
- Unfinished Treaty business – compensation for land taken up for Immigration and Settlement;
- The Nation building report;
- The Governance report;
- The two newly hired Community Developer;
- The Senior Community Developer reported on Child, Family, Community, Nation Wellbeing Secretariat and our Life Long Learning and Human Wellbeing Secretariat
- Law Making report;
- Sessions are planned for the next number of months;
- The Councils report;
- The Secretariat development report on establishing eight (8) Secretariats to address and draft laws. The first three will be established this year with the remaining being created once the financial resources are received.
Afternoon session with External relations: Three(3) out of the four(4) invited guests spoke during the afternoon session, including: Southern Chiefs Organization: SCO grand Chief Daniels spoke on unity and move over to allow Treaty 2 government to protect and govern the Treaty 2 territory. He also mentioned the Anishinaabe territory and the important to stay unified. Assembly of First Nations: AFN Vice Chief Hart presented his report letting the assembly know that a lot of work to bring the issues forward to AFN has been done. Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC): represented by Lorne Keeper, Executive Director, confirmed the education steps they are continuing throughout the territory and other parts. Not in attendance: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief, Arlen Dumas.
Membership: An added feature to the meeting agenda for the day was on the topic of Membership. The passage of Bill S-3 is now law. It opens up the Indian Act for tens of thousands of new additions to the “Indian Registry.” Each of these will then be placed on the membership list of the First Nation of the ancestor from whom descendance can be traced.
Next meeting – Council of Chiefs 1 March 2019 Government Building – Dauphin and Councils in Session – 14/15 March 2019.
Last modified: May 23, 2019
