Algonquin
Elder
I am honoured
to be here with you all and to welcome you to traditional Algonquin
Territory.
Mr. Martin, a year ago you
commenced this dialogue with the Aboriginal Peoples of this land, and today,
you are finalizing this phase of the process.
For the past forty years, I have
followed the direction of my ancestors who welcomed yours to this land, and I
have worked hard to create a Circle of
All Nations, a Culture of Peace, to advance respect for Mother Earth and to
advance racial harmony. I see today that Canada is engaged in one of the most
interesting and difficult challenges of modern times – reconciling a huge array
of diverse interests, peoples and cultures.
My peoples have been crushed for
a long time and sometimes it seems like we beg for crumbs and acknowledgement
at a table where the world seeks its place. We see churches, cathedrals, synagogues,
temples and mosques reflecting the great diversity of cultures here, but there
is still no place where indigenous peoples can gather together in the spirit of
unity that used to mark our heritage.
On April 17, 2004, I showed you
the Three Figure Welcoming/Agreement Wampum Belt which signified the commitment
of my ancestors in 1700 to share their country, grand natural resources and
values with yours, with the land being held in trust for Creator and the unborn
children. This was before my
country was divided. Since then,
our resources have been exploited, depleted and contaminated. The balance of life has been disrupted,
and the centre can no longer hold things together. We have seen this in
unprecedented fires last year and in floods this year.
I also said that the nation
would not find true peace until the relationship with the first peoples of this
land was healed, and we occupied our rightful position in the heart of this
country. Sadly, it has been a year
of great hardship, division and rancour. I have worried as we faced the threat of
another division. We accept as a
governing principle that one out of four key federal voices in this land can
represent only its one constituency, and not the federation, and we have seen
how dangerously close to dissolution this has drawn us, right on my doorstep. I
have not been happy to see this strife and turmoil.
But my ancestors used to say the
most nutritious walnuts emerge after the coldest winter.
In my mind, it is the indigenous
peoples who hold the seeds for a vision of inclusion and collective sharing,
respect and responsibility, and in our very existence we serve as the glue to
bond a fragile federation together.
We must work together collectively for a strengthened nation.
The National Capital Commission
was established about a hundred years ago and given the responsibility to
create a sense of nationhood within this capital city on what remains unsurrendered Algonquin
Territory and the spiritual heartland of my peoples. For well over thirty-five years,
Victoria Island has been identified as the site for an Aboriginal Centre. Yet nothing materialized during the terms
of previous prime ministers.
With the commencement of the
United Nations Decade for a Culture of Peace, I began to pursue the work of
developing a vision for a fully inclusive indigenous peace-building cultural
centre on Victoria Island actively.
Over the past three years, I
have consulted with Algonquin communities in Quebec and Ontario, both on- and
off- reserve; with non-status Algonquins in Ontario,
and with the Métis of Quebec; with Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the
Assembly of First Nations, and with representatives of all the National
Aboriginal Organizations, and National First Nations organizations; with
Aboriginal organizations in the Capital region; and with non-Aboriginal peoples
nationally and internationally, to develop a viable vision for this centre,
and, I believe, they all strongly support this goal.
I have also engaged with
representatives of government.
Canadian Heritage has demonstrated its interest and commitment to this
initiative with the provision of $50,000 to advance its development. Thus, architectural plans for the
proposed centre have been advanced to the B level, and a viable draft proposal
has been negotiated with a respected consultant for the National Capital
Commission, and it stands ready for advancing.
Further to my meeting with
Minister Scott last November, I believe that the Department of Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada recognizes how important it is for psyche of the nation
for the vision to manifest. The
Minister of Finance is cognizant of this initiative. He has seen very recently, in the visit
of the Queen, the First Nations University in Regina serve to reflect, both
publicly and globally, the improved profile of the relationship between
Aboriginal Peoples and Canada and the Queen.
This sentiment will only be
amplified when the world come to Canada for the Olympics in 2010, if they find
Aboriginal Peoples assuming a place of pride and inclusion in the heart of the
country at the conclusion of the United Nations Decade for a Culture of Peace,
show casing Inuit, Métis and First Nations.
The Queen’s gift to the First
Nations cements the acknowledgement of the sacred trust inherent in the
relationship that the First Peoples of this land share with the monarchy; this
linkage is formalized in the role and responsibilities of the Governor General
of Canada.
I have met with Her Excellency
on three occasions to discuss the vision for the Aboriginal Centre:
In 2000,
at the Circle of All Nations
International Millennium Peace Gathering, to broker this idea;
In 2002,
to apprise her and the Chairman of the National Capital Commission, of
developments to date; and
Most recently in November 2004, to present her with the developed
proposal.
I am encouraged by her interest
and support.
Likewise, I have also met with
Alex Himelfarb, Clerk to the Privy Council Office and
Secretary to the Cabinet, and many other senior federal bureaucrats and
ministers. The Aboriginal Caucus of
the Liberal Party, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Mayors of
Ottawa and Gatineau, and MPs such as Ms Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Mr. Ed Broadbent, and Elijah Harper and others
are also aware of and have expressed great interest in this initiative. Easily a thousand others have signed
petitions in support of the vision.
I am told we only need the
political momentum to galvanize us into action. Mr. Martin, you have the power to do
take this action as fulfillment of the sacred trust and obligations to the
First Peoples.
Since the commencement of your
term in office, you have demonstrated a commitment to forging a new
relationship with Aboriginal Peoples on behalf of the peoples of the land. I am greatly encouraged by your
leadership and courage in announcing to the country that its relationship with
Aboriginal peoples is of crucial importance to the federal government, first in
the inclusion of Aboriginal ceremony at your investiture, then in establishing
of the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, and finally in conducting these
Roundtables.
The concrete manifestation of
this commitment needs to be visible to the country at large, the original
settlers who need to reconcile with First Peoples, and the newer immigrants,
who have very limited knowledge and awareness of us. At the same time, it must
contribute to strengthening Aboriginal Peoples individually and collectively.
This commitment can be made evident and visible in the endorsement of the
vision for Victoria Island.
This would constitute the
tangible, public expression of the commitment of this government to the First
Peoples. I continue to pray for the
materialization of this work during my lifetime.
I have faith that you will find
the strength and demonstrate the leadership to take just and honourable action on this file. I am available to discuss this matter
further with you and your colleagues at any time.
On June 21, I shall be hosting
the fifth annual Gathering of Nations Pipe Ceremony at Victoria Island to
continue my prayer and work for all people. June 21 was identified as Indian Day in
1945 by native activist Jules Sioui; a few years ago,
the former Governor General formally recognized the date, and today, many join
in this celebration of National Aboriginal Day.
I invite you all to join us on
June 21. I am sure you will be
heartened when you see the multicultural face of Canada join Aboriginal Peoples
in celebration on the ancient spiritual meeting grounds of my ancestors, and
you will see that when we learn to come together with one heart, one mind, one love and one determination, the seeds of
peace-building can and indeed shall blossom and embrace all.
Megwetch!
William Commanda