Political Accord promises new relationship

At Queen’s Park on Aug. 24, Elder Garry Sault from Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation opened what Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day Wiindawtegowinini called, “a momentous occasion.”

A political accord was signed between the Chiefs of Ontario, represented by Day, and the Ontario Government, represented by Premier Kathleen Wynne. The accord commits to a renewed relationship between Ontario First Nations and the provincial government.

As Elder Sault lit the pipe for the opening, he told the 75 people gathered that the pipe represents the territory, the Treaty rights that go along with the territory and the responsibility given to look after the land.

“It’s all about Mother Earth and protection of the land,” he said, as he offered the pipe to the chiefs, the premier and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer.† Smoking the pipe binds First Nations leaders and provincial government leaders, said Sault, and our voices are as one.

“Once again, we have the Treaty relationship,” he said.

Premier Wynne reflected on the shared long history between First Nations and the Crown.

“We’ve seen, time and time again, when this relationship is not respected. The consequences are painful and long-lasting,” said Wynne. “By signing this political accord today, we’re taking an important step to renew the relationship between First Nations and Ontario, and an important step in the important revitalization of First Nations communities,” she said.

Wynne added that in some cases, she understands that the relationship has to be built from scratch and acknowledged the work that will take.

The accord commits all parties, said Wynne, to work together on shared priorities, including the treaty relationship, resource benefits and revenue sharing, and jurisdictional matters involving First Nations in Ontario.

She committed her government to turn the general principles contained in the accord into real and measurable results for First Nations people. Now is the time, she said, to work on real change that will make a difference in people’s lives today and build a better future for our children and grandchildren.

Regional Chief Day said the signing of the political accord was “a very, very important event for Ontario and First Nations in Ontario.” He said it “marks a new era of relationship on the treaty lands on which Ontario is situated. The importance of the treaty relationship cannot be denied nor should it be misunderstood,” said Day.

He acknowledged that other players, primarily the federal government, need to be brought to the table along with municipalities.

Day gave a brief history lesson and said that there has been a practice on the part of the Crown of not honoring the treaties, which has resulted in a long list of land claims. To move forward with a renewed relationship “it is this kind of history that we must face head-on,” he said, “but we face that history with respect and collaboration.”

“For centuries,” Day continued, “our relationship has gone in only one direction. First Nations were not only robbed of their lands, our children were denied a future and had imposed on them residential schools.”

Day said both parties will have to find a way to enforce the accord.

“Other nations have enforcement mechanisms when they enter into treaties,” he said. “Why have there never been enforcement mechanisms built into treaties with First Nations people? We must take measures, we must create criteria of what that enforcement means.”

The accord recognizes that First Nations have an inherent right to self-government and that the relationship between Ontario and First Nations must be based upon respect for this right. The accord contains provision for two meetings yearly between the Political Confederacy of the Chiefs of Ontario and the Premier, with the agenda including a joint assessment on the progress on the identified priorities and issues.

Photo caption: Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day and Premier Kathleen Wynne sign political accord at Queen’s Park Aug. 24.