Chief Atleo Observations
Crown-First Nations Gathering, with the late Elder Bertha Commonda smudging Prime Minister Harper along with National Chief Shawn Atleo and Governor General David Johnston.
Assembly of First Nations former National Chief Atleo offers some observations about treaties and treaty rights.
I invite all of you to join with us, with First Nations, on this new national dream towards a better, stronger Canada. We can create a brighter future, in the same way that our ancestors came together with a vision of a nation founded on mutual respect, partnership and sharing.
—Chief Atleo
Recognizing and implementing Aboriginal and Treaty rights takes us back to the very founding of this country—a country founded on our lands and politically on peaceful agreements based on respect, recognition, sharing and partnership.
Since 1982, successive governments have shown little interest in the real and hard work of reconciliation. There has been talk, but we know the equation of empty initiatives: talk minus action equals zero.
First Nations though are not standing still—are not waiting. We’re taking action. For decades now we’ve been putting forward positive plans for progress and change, plans aimed at breathing life into the promises we made to one another and plans that will ensure a better future for our children.
Let me make four points here on the path ahead and the challenge before us:
- Reconciliation will only be achieved when First Nations’ right to self-determination is reconciled with Canada’s assumed authority;
- Reconciliation will only be achieved when First Nations receive a fair share of the economic benefits from our traditional territories and participate as partners in development;
- Reconciliation will only be achieved when we can fully exercise and implement our inherent rights and responsibilities to our citizens and our lands;
- We must move forward based on mutual understanding, respect, and consent. Recall the story of Man and Bear—a simple story indeed but with profound applications for us all.
We need approaches that implement First Nation Treaty and inherent rights. On a Treaty-by-Treaty or nation-to nation basis, we must set out a new course—one of commitment, of dedicated energy and of focus to achieve resolution. This new course would give life to a lasting relationship of mutual respect and prosperity.
Canada continues to not even have a policy or approach to implement or monitor its treaty relationship with First Nations, even though the Treaties are the founding documents of this country. This is essential and a requirement for the implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaties.
By “spirit and intent,” I am referring to the First Nations understanding of the Treaties, and respecting and recognizing that perspective.
It’s time for change. Now is our time. First Nations are pushing and pursuing every opportunity for cooperation. We know there are ways we can work together that benefit all and honour the promise we made to one another.
First Nations want to be full partners in designing a collective future—for our communities and the country as a whole.
I invite all of you to join with us, with First Nations, on this new national dream towards a better, stronger Canada. We can create a brighter future, in the same way that our ancestors came together with a vision of a nation founded on mutual respect, partnership and sharing.
Section 35 and other steps have set our path and this is a tremendous advantage—the road ahead is long and it is difficult—but it is a road we must travel together. When we think again of Bear, we realize that it is story principally about achieving relationship-success—a story of reconciliation with tremendous economic and sustainability benefits for all involved. Its wisdom speaks powerfully to us today and of our work together.
I’ll close by recalling the words of Chief Justice Lamer, that “we are all here to stay.” I would add to those wise words that we are all in this together and together we can succeed.
Kleco, Kleco!
National Chief Shawn Atleo
Listen to the story of Bear
Cree Chief Poundmaker (1842?-1886), after his arrest in June 1885, Regina, Saskatchewan.
Remembered as a great leader, Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker) strove to protect the interests of his people during the negotiation of Treaty 6. Considered a peacemaker, he did not take up arms in the North-West Rebellion (also known as the North-West Resistance). However, a young and militant faction of his band did participate in the conflict, resulting in Pitikwahanapiwiyin’s arrest and imprisonment for treason. His legacy as a peacemaker lives on among many Cree peoples, no less those of the Poundmaker Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/poundmaker/
