Treaty forum aims to prevent future confrontation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is looking to educate people about the treaties governing the relationship between First Nations and the government.
The Treaty Discussion Forum includes presentations by First Nations and academics, and provides a chance for the public to learn about and discuss Treaty No. 5 and Treaty No. 9.
“It’s essential, in the year 2011, that there is an understanding of the treaty relationship between First Nations and the greater society of Canada,” NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy said Wednesday.
The treaties — both of which incorporate NAN territory and its 49 member communities — are built on a peaceful co-existence relationship, Beardy said.
“When we turn on the television at any time, when we turn on the radio (or read the newspaper), there’s always stories of conflict in the world, and those conflicts have to do with lands and resources,” he said. “What we’re trying to do here is prevent confrontation in the future, to ensure the principals we agreed to 100 years ago about peaceful co-existence . . . is maintained.”
Beardy said one of the reasons the symposium is happening now is the Ring of Fire, a massive chromite deposit on traditional First Nations territories in the James Bay Lowlands.
Affected First Nations are looking to develop partnerships in the spirit of the treaties, he said.
“If we’re going to live together, we need to understand . . . those agreements,” said Beverly Sabourin, Lakehead University’s vice-provost of aboriginal initiatives.
“There’s lots of repairing that has to go on, lots of educating, lots of awareness,” she said, adding the purpose of the symposium is to start dialogue on the treaties.
The symposium resumes today at 9 a.m., and runs until about 4:30 p.m. in room 2011 at Lakehead University.
It’s open to the public.