April 16, 2009

The Ministry of Natural Resources took an important step forward in its commitment to promote greater cooperation with the Grand Council Treaty #3 in northwestern Ontario.

On April 16, Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield and Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle, together with Ogichidaakwe Diane Kelly, Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty #3, signed a letter of intent affirming the ministries’ commitment to improve and enhance their working relationship with the First Nation communities in the Treaty 3 territory.  The goal is to further the First Nation communities’ interest in building capacity for involvement in forestry, mineral exploration, fish and wildlife, as well as business relationships.

(L-R) Minister Donna Cansfield, Minister Michael Gravelle and Grand Chief Diane Kelly with Stanjikoming First Nation community member, Agnes Kabatay, who made their gifts of moccasins and a traditional ribbon shirt.

The letter, signed at Stanjikoming First Nation, 16 km north of Fort Frances, reflects the cooperative, task-oriented and pragmatic approach the parties are taking to improve their working relationship.

Minister Donna Cansfield signs the Letter of Intent.

Grand Council Treaty #3 is a treaty organization that represents 26 member First Nations in northwestern Ontario and two in Manitoba that are signatories to Treaty #3. The treaty was signed in 1873.  There are about 20,000 citizens within the roughly 55,000 square miles of the treaty territory. The Grand Council describes itself as the traditional government of the Anishinaabe Nation within the Treaty’s territory.

Michael Fyfe was excused from school to attend the event and write an essay about his experience.

Minister Cansfield chats with community members, Paul Henderson and daughter, Seraphine, outside of the roundhouse.

In honour of the signing, the community hosted a three-hour ceremony at their roundhouse on the eastern shore of Stanjikoming Bay on Rainy Lake. The log building’s round shape and soaring dome ceiling were modelled after a turtle, an ancient and revered spiritual animal. Drum songs were performed at the raised stage in the center, awash in natural light by the high cupola above.

An honour song was performed on the Stanjikoming First Nation community drum as gifts were exchanged.

Stanjikoming First Nation Chief Janice Henderson formally welcomed the guests to her community of roughly 139 and presented gifts to the delegation. “Our community is one of the smallest communities of the Treaty 3 area and for our people to witness this event is very important,” said Henderson.

Ogichidaakwe Kelly presented a traditional Pendleton coat to each minister who in turn presented gifts of Hudson’s Bay Company point blankets to the Grand Chief and each of the chiefs and elders in attendance. The wool blankets, first introduced in 1780, are an enduring gift, which were sometimes turned into coats and provided good camouflage in winter.

Minister Donna Cansfield tries on her gift of a pendleton coat from the Ogichidaakwe, Grand Chief Diane Kelly, Grand Council Treaty #3.

“We are righting a relationship upset by broken promises,” said Ogichidaakwe Kelly as she addressed the assembly during the signing of the letter of intent. “We are righting a relationship upset by forgotten obligations. We are righting a relationship upset by a painful history. But, today we must work together.”

“Today’s signing commits us to work even more closely together,” said Minister Cansfield. “I fully support the council and Grand Chief Kelly in developing capacity and business relationships so that the Grand Council and member communities can and will enjoy a greater participation in economic activities.”

Minister Donna Cansfield presents a Hudson's Bay Company point blanket to Chief Janice Henderson of Stanjikoming First Nation, the host community of the event.

"It was really important that the chiefs and ministers took the time out of their busy schedules to be here today,” said Allan Willcocks, Regional Director for the northwest region. “The ministry is making real progress on the ground with the communities with developing economic opportunities and addressing natural resource challenges. I'm really proud of my staff and the ministers and chiefs recognize that changing the relationship requires leadership."

“Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the outcome of our discussions has been the commitment to building a stronger relationship of trust” said Minister Cansfield.

“Trust in each other and trust that together we can make things better in Anishinaabe communities in Treaty 3.”

Chief Earl Klyne of Seine River First Nation greets Minister Cansfield.