Treaty 2 Territory – Recent letter to Canada Attn: Minister Marc Miller
The government of First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory (FNT2T) was reclaimed in June 2018 to protect the ancestral lands of Treaty 2 families and to work collaboratively with our Local First Nations leaders and families. The FNT2T is a collective government established to reclaim and to implement our sovereignty and self-determination with a Treaty-based and Nation-based foundation. We are engaged in the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) process which is said to reject colonialism and implement the spirit and intent of our Treaty.
With regards to Canada’s new law An act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families, we are aware of the notice provisions in the enactment and hereby provide notice as per s.20(1) of the new Canadian law. A similar notice provision will be provided to the respective provincial governments in Manitoba and Saskatchewan as well.
We are aware that the implementation of a coordination agreement is discretionary at this point however it appears from our review of the new Canadian legislation that the coordination agreement is tied to the discussions around adequately resourcing the support and implementation of our laws, regulations and eventually the programs and services that will be provided to our children and families by our Local Nations.
We are in the process of moving forward with our mandated FNT2T Children, Families and Nation Circle, which requires a continuity of commitment for the purpose of adequately resourcing the process. To this end, we have included for your department’s review, the revised path forward 2020-2024 ACTION PLAN.
We look forward to your prompt and positive reply with respect to the notice of our intention to proceed and the requested resources required to continue the work of addressing the tragic outcomes of incentivized apprehension of indigenous children in the Manitoba jurisdiction.
Please also accept this letter as an invitation to meet via telephone or audio conference to discuss our action plan and other important matters regarding our families and Local Nations of the Treaty 2 territory.
Nothing about us, without us, In Unity we remain
Grand Chief Eugene Eastman, Chief, Ochichakosipi First Nation
Government, First Nations of Treaty 2 Territory (FNT2T)
Last modified: September 3, 2020
