Treaty 2 Territory – The First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory continue to eye what its neighbour and treaty partner the Crown, represented by Canada, continues to do within its Government.
Grand Chief Eugene Eastman has been very busy supporting the Government of FNT2T’s mandate to implement a ‘reconciliaction’ plan because action, not just words, is needed. This most recent speech from Canada’s Prime Minister signifies that it is time to see action of rebuilding relationship with the Crown which has tarnished over the last 149 years.
The treaty relationship wasn’t meant for Canada to control the Anishinaabe people. It was about immigration and settlement. The Anishinaabe Nation were to continue to live and to prosper as they had since time immemorial. Something happened, paternalism became the view and the Indian Act established controls and the reserve system which essentially destroyed traditional governance and living.
“Although much work from Canada is needed, the speech from Canada’s Throne may promise continued steps with important matters such as leaving us to govern ourselves so that we can live off mother earth and protect our natural world in our Territory,” – Grand Chief Eugene Eastman.
The Government of FNT2T supports Canada’s first steps in implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which means closing the gap in quality of life between the Anishinaabek and mainstream Canada. Also means rebuilding The Nation with Restorative Peacemaking and safety. “We must be a part of this process and be the ones who are rebuilding our Nations,” mentioned Grand Chief Eastman.
The speech from the Throne contained several commitments:
- Joint involvement in implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
- Safe drinking water and getting rid of all advisories in our territory;
- Culturally relevant health care and mental health services;
- Implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action;
- Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
References:
https://www.canada.ca/en/privy-council/campaigns/speech-throne/2020/speech-from-the-throne.html
Last modified: September 29, 2020
