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Paddlers Arrive Parliament Hill

from www.nan.on.ca Posted by: Communication and Media  jyoung@nan.on.ca 7/18/2005 11:51:29 AM

Missanabie Cree First Nation Chief Glenn Nolan and nine of the 15 paddlers who participated in a 3 month journey retracing the original treaty signing canoe route commemorating the centennial of James Bay Treaty No. 9 arrived at Parliament Hill Thursday September 15, 2005.

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NAN PADDLERS ARRIVE PARLIAMENT HILL

OTTAWA, ON Thursday September 15, 2005:  Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy, along with NAN Chiefs and representatives from the provincial and federal governments, today welcomed Missanabie Cree Chief Glenn Nolan and a group of nine paddlers at Turtle Island Native Village on Victoria Island just behind Parliament Hill, Ottawa. 

“I am here today to not only acknowledge the long and historical journey of Chief Nolan and his team, but to deliver an empty scroll to representatives from both the Province and Canada,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. 

As part of the two year centennial commemoration of James Bay Treaty No. 9, the blank scroll delivered by Chief Nolan and presented by Grand Chief Beardy indicates Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s position to work with provincial and federal governments to reaffirm the treaty signed 100 years ago. 

“The people of Nishnawbe Aski are not benefiting from the current treaty relationship. Many of our communities are some of the poorest in the country, yet are considered some of the wealthiest in terms of natural resources,” said Beardy. 

“It is my intent, with the participation of NAN Chiefs and both levels of government, to take the opportunity presented with this 100th anniversary to draw attention to the deficiencies of the treaty and reaffirm our treaty relationship by positively working together to ensure future mutual benefits of this relationship based on the original spirit and intent of the treaty.”

Chief Nolan’s three-month journey across NAN territory retraced the original route taken by British Commissioners when they visited seven of the fifteen signatory First Nation communities of James Bay Treaty No. 9 in 1905.  The paddlers participated in all commemorative events that took place throughout NAN territory – an area covering two-thirds of Ontario, spanning North of the 51st parallel to the coasts of Hudson’s and James bays, east to Quebec’s border and west to Manitoba’s border.

"The treaty needs to be taken seriously and our people need to be viewed as full participants of the treaty,” said Chief Nolan who has paddled to seven NAN communities since his departure from Cat Lake First Nation June 21, 2005.  “What I’ve seen on this trip is how vibrant our communities are. We have strong traditions and strong cultures and all this richness can’t be suppressed by the treaty.”

“After seeing all the challenges facing our communities to arrive in the extreme and almost perverse wealth that lines the Ottawa River makes you think where did that wealth come from?,” said Nolan.   “This wealth comes from our land, the resources come from our land and there’s got to be a fair share of profits coming from those resources.”

James Bay Treaty No. 9 Centennial Commemoration will continue next summer as the remaining eight of the fifteen (total) of NAN’s 49 First Nation communities commemorate this historic anniversary on their respective treaty signing dates.

Financial support for commemorative events has been provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor).  Corporate sponsors include Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, Ontario Power Generation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, RBC Financial Group, Hydro One, Bowater, Old Post Resort and Village, Wasaya Airways LP, and City of Timmins and Economic Development Corporation.

The Treaty paddlers received contributions from Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Domtar and Nova Craft Canoes.

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For more information please contact:

Jenna Young
Communications Officer
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625 4952

Click here for speaking notes from NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy
 
Click here for speaking notes from Associate Deputy Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Suzanne Tining