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When I attended a Treaty 1-11 meeting in 2013 hosted by Onion Lake, there was a presentation to all leaders and treaty people about how Indian Act is set up to policy out all Indians from Inherent and/or Treaty Rights (1950s changed Treaty to Status) and when women from Saddle Lake challenged Indian Affairs, Canada used the bill, C-31 to add their own additional enfranchising criteria to water down or weaken inherent/treaty rights. This wasn’t the intent of the women who challenged Indian Affairs, it was politicians who used the women’s re-instatement challenge to push their own agenda to remove rights over generations (also a White Paper agenda).
What would today be like or the future of all our people if people like Big Bear, Poundmaker, Nellie Carlson, or those of Oka etc. never challenged the systems or colonial people?
Anyways, at this meeting we were all being informed that due to Indian Affairs current policies, more future generations will be refused status/treaty rights to eventually zero band membership registrations by 2050. This was also projected for the future of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in 2050 at current band membership issue. Leaders were advised to challenge Canada and Indian Affairs to protect future generations by taking back control of our ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ wahkohtowin (kinship) and nationhood so we maintain our inherent and treaty rights as the Original Peoples of Turtle Island etc..
When I attended a Treaty 1-11 meeting in 2013 hosted by Onion Lake, there was a presentation to all leaders and treaty people about how Indian Act is set up to policy out all Indians from Inherent and/or Treaty Rights (1950s changed Treaty to Status) and when women from Saddle Lake challenged Indian Affairs, Canada used the bill, C-31 to add their own additional enfranchising criteria to water down or weaken inherent/treaty rights. This wasn’t the intent of the women who challenged Indian Affairs, it was politicians who used the women’s re-instatement challenge to push their own agenda to remove rights over generations (also a White Paper agenda).
What would today be like or the future of all our people if people like Big Bear, Poundmaker, Nellie Carlson, or those of Oka etc. never challenged the systems or colonial people?
Anyways, at this meeting we were all being informed that due to Indian Affairs current policies, more future generations will be refused status/treaty rights to eventually zero band membership registrations by 2050. This was also projected for the future of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in 2050 at current band membership issue. Leaders were advised to challenge Canada and Indian Affairs to protect future generations by taking back control of our ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ wahkohtowin (kinship) and nationhood so we maintain our inherent and treaty rights as the Original Peoples of Turtle Island etc..
As I was about to scan through a section of the book, “Disinherited Generations”, written by Carlson, Steinhauer, Goyette, I came across a few pages that reminded me of my current situation with this Saddle Lake Cree Nation Election 2016 Federal Judicial Review.
Disinherited Generations: Our Struggle to Reclaim Treaty Rights for First Nations Women and Their Descendants
This oral autobiography of two remarkable Cree women tells their life stories against a backdrop of government discrimination, First Nations activism, and the resurgence of First Nations communities. Nellie Carlson and Kathleen Steinhauer, who helped to organize the Indian Rights for Indian Women movement in western Canada in the 1960s, fought the Canadian government#146;s interpretation of treaty and Aboriginal rights, the Indian Act, and the male power structure in their own communities in pursuit of equal rights for Aboriginal women and children. After decades of activism and court battles, First Nations women succeeded in changing these oppressive regulations, thus benefitting thousands of their descendants. Those interested in human rights, activism, history, and Native Studies will find that these personal stories, enriched by detailed notes and photographs, form a passionate record of an important, continuing struggle. (less)
This is not a case about power or control, it’s about rights, the right to be treated fairly, the right to exercise rights as a person/people who are part of a nation, and even exercise the option/choice to serve the people, in a leadership capacity, if the people so choose to exercise their rights to vote a person for that position.
It is more than just about an election, it’s about all band members not being discriminated against or belittled/excluded or targeted but treated as valuable worthy members of our band or nation with skills to offer for the betterment of our people. It’s about no one being better than another or less than another
…it’s about fairness, respect, exercise rights, and not accept tyranny.
This is what this is about, not all will agree or others have their own belief or idea of why we are challenging the Election process, but I guess we will be accountable to Kise manitow for those actions of truth.
As I opened the book and started to read a section, it reminded me that history is being repeated (Saddle Lake Election 2016 Federal Court Judicial Review hearing January 17, 2017) in the sense of how humans react defensively and persecute people who challenge systems and attempt to create division, conduct fear mongering etc..; especially if they benefit in some way (i.e.. false power, status, financially etc.) from the corrupt system and/or process.
Here is the section I read and decide for yourself, if history is repeating in the sense of the treatment of anyone who challenges corruption etc… At the end of the day, each morning gives us all a new beginning to change our ways, correct, and/or improve life for all/ourselves etc.. for all future generations to benefit.
Here is to nationhood and hope that our ancestors assist and guide us to ensure we be the best we can be and remember to guarantee a future for all our people.
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Pages 36, 39, 40: Nellie Leaves Saddle Lake
Read the attached pictures of the pages but these words stand out for those who believe I do not belong or have the right to exercise my rights as a band member…
some people know the history & know how bad the women where treated and even their lives threatened at times too by family members…but they were thinking of our future generations…
as Nellie walks into the Indian Agent office,
“…I unlocked the hook, and I went in…But I went right in, and said to the Indian Agent, “Sir, I came to say goodbye”. He said, “Get this damn Indian woman out of here!” He just said that. And I said back to him: “See! You called me an Indian woman! That is what I am” He didn’t like to hear me saying that. We were expected to respect them. I guess we didn’t! And I said,
“I’ve come here to tell you. I’ll be back to fight for my treaty rights.” That’s when he said: “Oh, no, you can’t” And I said: “I can!”…”
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| Disinherited Generations, Page 36 |
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| Disinherited Generations, Page 39 |
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| Disinherited Generations, Page 40 |
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I WILL STAND WITH THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN FAIRNESS! I am humbled to stand with you, Eric Shirt, Valerie Steinhauer, and Greg Cardinal and all our relations and friends. We walk in a good way!
Additional Resources for Review:
- Request for Resolution
- Restoring Harmony News Brief
- Restoring Harmony in Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Press Release
- Facebook Page: Colonial Indian ACT Redressed Tribal Customs
- Saddle Lake Cree Nation Election 2016 Federal Judicial Review
Descendent of Treaty No. 6 Signatory Chief Pakan, Big Louis, Jonas Cardinal and so forth…wâpimahihkan
