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Mishkeegogamang First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation are hosting the 100 year anniversary celebration of the signing of Treaty Nine today.

Minister of State Ethel Blondin-Andrew, on behalf of the Minister of INAC, congratulated the people of Treaty 9 on their contributions to Canada over the past 100 years. "These contributions have shaped the history of this country, and have assisted in making it what it is today," she said. "As a signatory to the treaty, the Government of Canada looks forward to a successful and prosperous partnership with the people of Treaty No. 9 in the next 100 years."

Watch the live webcast of this event at http://webcast.knet.ca/nan/ and select the display set up you require. Click here to see some photos of the event.

News Release #2-02690

NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION COMMEMORATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF JAMES BAY TREATY NO. 9

MISHKEEGOGAMANG, ONTARIO (July 12, 2005) - Today, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, joined 49 First Nations from northwestern Ontario at Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation to commemorate the 100th anniversary of James Bay Treaty No. 9.

Minister of State Blondin-Andrew congratulated the people of Treaty No. 9 on their contributions to Canada over the past 100 years. "These contributions have shaped the history of this country, and have assisted in making it what it is today," she said. "As a signatory to the treaty, the Government of Canada looks forward to a successful and prosperous partnership with the people of Treaty No. 9 in the next 100 years."

Treaty No. 9, also known as the James Bay Treaty, was first signed on July 12, 1905 at Osnaburgh, (Mishkeegogamang). The treaty, which covers 90,000 square miles spanning much of northern Ontario, was the first "tripartite" treaty that involved the Government of Ontario as a third party. The Treaty was completed in 1906 with adhesions made in 1929 and 1930.

Fifteen Treaty No. 9 communities, who signed the treaty in 1905-1906, will be holding events during 2005-2006 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the specific dates when they first signed the treaty.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is providing approximately $570,000 to Mishkeegogamang First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) in support of these events.  To date, this funding has gone toward assisting grass-roots fundraising efforts and the construction of an access road.  The funds will also help with costs associated with planning, coordination and hosting commemoration events.

Please see Backgrounder "James Bay Treaty No. 9" for further information.

The Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation is located approximately 320 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

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This release is also available at:  http://www.inac.gc.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Susan Bertrand
Senior Information Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(807) 624-1531
(613) 988-8688

Backgrounder
JAMES BAY TREATY NO. 9

The construction of the railway in the late 19th century brought changes, which, although generally positive for those Aboriginal people who lived near the railway line, interfered with the livelihood of the Cree and Ojibway people living further from the line.

In response to the requests by Aboriginal people of Ontario for support from the federal government, in 1903 a new treaty was proposed for the Superintendent-General's consideration. This was to be called Treaty No. 9, or the James Bay Treaty.  Treaty 9 was unique because, while most post-confederation treaties in Ontario involved only the Government of Canada and First nations, it was the first of a few that involved the Government of Ontario as a third-party.  This type of treaty is known as a "tripartite" agreement.  On May 8, 1905, Frank Pedley, Deputy Superintendent-General, sent the Commissioner of Crown lands a draft order-in-council outlining the proposed terms of the treaty.

The province requested two important changes: that reserves be chosen by the treaty commissioners with one of them being a provincial appointee; and that the federal government bear the cost of the treaty and pay the Ontario commissioner. An agreement was formally signed on July 3 and by Order of His Excellency in Council, dated 29 June 1905, two federal commissioners, and an Ontario commissioner, were appointed to negotiate a treaty with the Indians.

While other treaties were signed with chiefs gathered in a central location to sign, Treaty No. 9 was brought to signatory communities to secure the signatures of the chiefs. Treaty No. 9 was first signed at Osnaburgh (now known as Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation) on July 12, 1905.
After the signing, the treaty commissioners paid out a gratuity of $8 to nearly 350 people, with an annuity of $4 to be received thereafter. The traditional Chief, Missabay, was also presented with a twelve-foot Union Jack.

During the remainder of 1905, the treaty commissioners continued to secure the signatures of Fort Hope, Marten Falls, English River, Fort Albany, Moose Factory, New Post, and Abitibi. In 1906, the tour continued to include Matachewan, Mattagami, Flying Post, New Brunswick House, Chapleau, and Long Lake.

In 1923, discussions, between Ontario and the federal government commenced on the subject of adhesion to Treaty No. 9 and an official tour set out during the summer of 1929. On July 5, 1929, the commissioners arrived at Big Trout Lake where the adhesion was signed by the traditional chief, Sampson Beardy. The following summer, in 1930, adhesions were signed at Windigo Lake, Fort Severn and Winisk. Together, with the territory acquired in 1905-1906, Treaty No. 9 took in more than two-thirds of what is now the Province of Ontario.

For more detailed information regarding the signing of Treaty 9 and to see the treaty document, please visit the Treaties website at http://www.ainc-ianc.gc.ca/pr/trts.