Anniversary of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850

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Friday September 9, 2011 marks the 161 year mark when the chiefs and principle men of the Ojibway Nations “inhabiting and claiming the Eastern and Northern Shores of Lake Huron, along with William B. Robinson on behalf of the Queen of England, entered into the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850
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Today, Batchewana First Nation (BFN) leadership will take in the Historic Government of Anishinabek’s 1850 History Matters gathering in commemoration of the anniversary of the signing of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.

Whitefish Lake First Nation will play host to the 21 First Nation bands and Crown representatives who are parties to the Robinson Huron Treaty.

The gathering will be a time to celebrate with a traditional pipe ceremony, and allow leadership to dialogue in regards to the status of the treaty, and determine how to develop a common understanding of how all parties involved, including the Government of Canada (Crown) can work together.

The 21 First Nation’s in attendance of the gathering signify a very old historic alliance that was in place before the treaty was signed.

Chiefs will engage in a talking circle to share concerns, acknowledge triumphs and reestablish unity amongst themselves as signatories.

Friday September 9, 2011 marks the 161 year mark when the chiefs and principle men of the Ojibway Nations “inhabiting and claiming the Eastern and Northern Shores of Lake Huron, along with William B. Robinson on behalf of the Queen of England, entered into the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.”

Chief Dean Sayers commented: “Representatives of Canada have been invited to discuss how to share in all resources of these lands, as leadership we recognize the inequity here, and that will be a topic of discussion.”

Chiefs and leadership of the 21 First Nations will be commemorating the momentous occasion, however their focus will be the current status of the Robinson Huron Treaty highlighting the lack on the part of the Crown (now represented by the Government of Canada) to fulfill their commitments as a signatory to the treaty.

Chief Dean Sayers had this to say: “Most Canadians don’t understand that we are all treaty people. A treaty requires two parties, there is us, the Anishinabek, and there are the settlers, the Canadians. We both have responsibilities, and we both rely on each other to work together to create positive change, resulting in a harmonious society for everyone.”

The Robinson Huron Treaty is a living document that has tremendous legal implications not only for the Anishinabek but also for all Canadians.

The anniversary of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 is the perfect time to educate both, Anishinabek and Canadians on the importance of this historical agreement to better understand the First Nations peoples inherent rights that hold true today.