The Royal Proclamation and the way forward for First Nations

SHAWN ATLEO - Contributed to The Globe and Mail - Oct. 07 2013Monday marks the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of King George III, issued at the conclusion of the Seven Years War. It's important to mark historical milestones, as we did with the War of 1812. But the Royal Proclamation is in fact more relevant and essential to our relationship today and our shared future tomorrow.

This is not just a day to look back and reflect, it is a day to look forward and commit to resetting our relationship.

First Nations are mindful in commemorating this anniversary of both its colonial context as well as the Treaty of Niagara entered into the following year. Taken together, these events, no doubt driven by economic and military imperatives of the time, reflect Crown recognition of indigenous nations and their rights and jurisdictions as necessary for peace and for development. They establish a clear relationship between First Nations and the Crown (now Canada) and a protocol for Treaty making between both parties where lands and resources were to be shared. This set the foundation for subsequent Treaties based on a nation-to-nation relationship grounded in mutual respect, mutual recognition and partnership.

These principles from our collective past point the way to our collective future.

But these principles have been denied for too long, usurped by federal laws and policies that are paternalistic at best and assimilationist at worst. The results are clear and completely unacceptable in a first-world country: too many First Nations children languish in poverty and poor health, surrounded by the riches of their traditional territories.

Canada suffers too. The cost of doing nothing is catastrophic: billions of dollars in social expenditures and billions more in lost opportunity. We are the youngest and fastest growing part of the population. Canada is in danger of forsaking its future.

The moral and demographic imperative is tied to an economic imperative. Canada proposes $650-billion of resource development in the coming years, all involving First Nations lands and traditional territories. From pipelines in the west to the Ring of Fire in Ontario and beyond, it's clear that none of this will proceed without First Nations consent. Had we held to our original principles, this could be a moment of convergence. Instead, we risk collision.

We need a robust agenda of change. Now is the era of action. The principles set out 250 years ago and the promises in the Treaties must be our guide. With Parliament set to begin a new session, we set out the priorities that will lift us up and carry the country forward.

First, we must resolve the longstanding issues of First Nations control over our lands and our lives. This means working together to bring life and honour to the Treaties where they exist and, where they do not, creating together a new, fair and just approach to modern Treaty making and land claims resolution. This is about completing our unfinished business, honouring the promises we made to one another and upholding our ongoing obligations as fellow travellers in this land.

Another priority is First Nations control of First Nations education. Education, once used as a weapon to sever our children from their cultures, can now be forged into the instrument that unleashes our full potential. This will not happen through unilateral imposed approaches from on high. It can and must happen by achieving three clear elements of reform: First Nation controlled systems; fair, stable funding and full respect for our languages and cultures.

And we place a priority on security for our people, especially our most vulnerable. We need safe and secure communities and action to end the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women. On Oct. 4, I stood in solemn ceremony on Parliament Hill for the Sisters in Spirit Vigil - standing with thousands more across the country - calling for a national inquiry and immediate supports for shelters and friendship centres so that mothers and daughters in their darkest hours are able to access that most essential area: a safe place.

These are the issues that for too long have been dismissed as "too difficult." But we cannot ignore hard work simply because it's not easy. Our ancestors did it. We can, and must. The stakes have never been higher. Our future is in the balance. The Royal Proclamation still matters because the principles it articulates, principles that led to the Treaties and recognition and founding of this country, are alive and must be implemented.

After 250 years, there is every reason to say: now is the time.

Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

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From CBC.ca

Royal Proclamation, Canada's 'Indian Magna Carta,' turns 250

A pivotal moment in Canadian and First Nations history gets a small celebration

By Leslie MacKinnon, Oct 07, 2013

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Atleo on Royal Proclamation LIVE 11:59:59

The Royal Proclamation: 'nice to say, but...'

But Chief Danny Cresswell of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation in the Yukon said in an interview the Royal Proclamation has never been implemented, nor have modern-day treaties. He said Carcross/Tagish signed a treaty with Ottawa seven years ago, but the guaranteed law-making authority for education and child welfare that was promised in the treaty has not happened.

Fishing at Sault-Ste-Marie

The Royal Proclamation issued in 1763 gave aboriginal peoples inherent rights to their lands and protected historic fishing and hunting practices. Oct 7, 2013 is the 250th anniversary of the document signed by King George III. (Library and Archives Canada)

The Royal Proclamation, Cresswell said, "says our people [the Crown's] can't go in and invade their lands without some kind of a consultation or, more than that, it says they have to be compensated, dealt with, treated fairly...It
It wasn't lived up to or enforced. It was nice to say..."

However, Cresswell said he was pleased both the Governor General, David Johnston, and the minister for aboriginal affairs, Bernard Valcourt will be present at the symposium Monday.

"That's a big step. That shows there's some meaning to this," he said.

Royal Proclamation

Issued by King George III at the end of the Seven Years' War between Britain and France, the Royal Proclamation of 1763 set out how the inhabitants of the former colony of New France, now part of Quebec, would be governed under the British.

It also recognized that indigenous peoples in British North America had rights to the lands they occupied, and promised to protect and not "molest them."

Because of that promise, which lives on in Article 35 of Canada's Constitution Act of 1982 and a series of Supreme Court rulings, natives have long viewed the Royal Proclamation as a bill of rights for indigenous peoples in this part of North America.

Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said in an interview with Evan Solomon of CBC Radio's The House, "The treaty relationships and aspirations that were expressed in the Royal Proclamation are about us sharing the land, wealth and resources of this country. That has not happened."

This is a critical time for a government which is pitting a lot of its economic policy on resource development, Atleo said, speaking of the more than $600 billion in natural resources that Canada wishes to develop.

"First Nations are absolutely four-square right in front of and adjacent to and in the middle of these proposed development areas, and have the right to free, prior informed consent and will have a say over natural resources development in Canada.

"Direct nation-to-nation discussions is the only way forward," he said.

Atleo added he intends to accompany the Governor General to London at a future date to commemorate the signing of the Royal Proclamation.

'250th anniversary of broken promises'

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, speaking to reporters Sunday during a meeting of the NDP's Federal Council in Ottawa, called the event "the 250th anniversary of broken promises."

The 'special relationship' of native peoples and the Crown

He noted the proclamation was "the first time the word nation was used to describe the original inhabitants of Canada. The NDP will become the first government in Canadian history to respect that nation-to-nation approach."

The Creating Canada symposium is taking place at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que.

The protest group Idle No More plans to hold a rally at the museum along with what an article on its website says is "an international day of action " on Oct. 7, with rallies planned across Canada and in the U.S. and U.K.

The federal government has contributed $30,000 to the symposium which is otherwise funded by the Land Claims Agreement Coalition and the registration fees of participants.

Although the government spent $28 million on celebrations for the War of 1812, and has plans for the 200th birthday of Sir John A. MacDonald and the 25th anniversary of the signing of NAFTA, it did not make similar preparations for the 250th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation.

FULL TEXT OF ROYAL PROCLAIMATION

http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/PreConfederation/rp_1763.html

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AFN press release

Assembly of First Nations National Chief: 250th Anniversary of Royal Proclamation Opportunity to Reflect and Reset Relationship

OTTAWA, Oct. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, on the 250^th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation by King George III, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo strongly urged the federal government to join First Nations in acting now for change. At a press conference in Ottawa, National Chief Atleo cited this significant anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on and reset the relationship between First Nations and Canada, reminding the federal government and all Canadians of the unique relationship between First Nations and the Crown (now Canada) established hundreds of years ago with the intent for all nations to succeed.

"The 250^th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation is about reflecting and focusing on the work we must do today to act on our commitments to one another to drive change together," said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. "Today and every day we must recall the intent that brought all our ancestors together so many years ago, and ensure that the principles of mutual respect, mutual recognition and partnership are our guides going forward to achieve a better life for all of us. Too many First Nation children, families and communities are challenged on a daily basis to meet basic standards of life because we are not living up to the promises in the Treaties and other agreements that stem from the foundation of the Royal Proclamation."

October 7 marks the 250^th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation which led to the Treaty of Niagara between the British Crown and First Nations through wampum diplomacy and the exchange of 24 Nations Wampum Belts and the 1764 Covenant Chain August 1, 1764. Some First Nations view the Proclamation as a precursor to colonization, yet it is also seen as setting the foundation for Treaty-making between First Nations and the Crown (now Canada). Recognizing and affirming Aboriginal title to First Nation lands, these events were significant in creating a foundation for subsequent Treaties based on a nation-to-nation relationship grounded in mutual respect, mutual recognition and partnership - principles that remain relevant and essential today.

"The approach, laws and policies of federal governments have been paternalistic at best and assimilationist at worst," said National Chief Atleo. "Our work today is about returning to approaches that recognize First Nations authority over our lives, our lands and our peoples, where First Nation governments are strong, the Treaties are alive and honoured and Treaty-making allows all of us to thrive. Let today mark an 'era of action.' It's clear to everyone that the paternalistic approach is not working and the status quo is failing everyone. We must commit today to return to the original relationship and act together for change."

National Chief Atleo will be joining First Nation Elders, leaders and community members at a number of events marking 250 years of the Royal Proclamation, including a sunrise ceremony in Ottawa earlier today. National Chief Atleo will participate in a public reception at the Museum of Civilization this evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He will then travel to London, U.K. for a reception at the High Commission on October 8 and October 9 will deliver a keynote address at Oxford University. AFN Regional Chief Perry Bellegarde and representatives from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations held a sunrise ceremony today in London, U.K. and are participating in a number of other commemorative events there as well.

"I strongly encourage First Nations and all Canadians to participate in events here in Ottawa and across the country, to learn more about our shared history and our shared relationship, understanding that we all have responsibilities to uphold our promises to one another. This is how we will move forward to realize the full potential of First Nations and Canada," said National Chief Atleo.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

For further information:

Jenna Young AFN Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 401; 613-314-8157 or jyoung@afn.ca

Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or agaron@afn.ca

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Royal Proclamation 1763, a pivotal moment in Canadian and First Nations history gets a small celebration