UOI calls for sharing of wealth from land

The Robinson Huron Treaty communities are calling for sharing of the wealth from their lands.
“The truth is that one dish is empty and one is full. Our treaty partner the Crown has all the control and access to the wealth of our lands and we struggle to obtain a share of the inherent wealth left to us by the Creator,” said Lake Huron Regional Chief Isadore Day.
“Today, we as chiefs declare that one dish can no longer be empty. We demand that all successor agencies of the Crown govern themselves according to the spirit and intent of our treaty and fulfill the sacred obligation of sharing; to do otherwise is unlawful and compromises the honour of the Crown.”
The 19 Robinson Huron communities signed the treaty in 1850.
Day said the tribal council organizations within the Robinson Huron region are working together to establish a collective position of strength.
“It has been 160 years since the signing of this treaty, there must be a shifting of jurisdiction that recognizes our laws; and there must be a shifting in wealth and benefit to our children and our families,” Day said. “That was the hope of our ancestors who made treaty with settler governments.”
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee said the Robinson Huron communities’ leaders must work from a position of strength to ensure they correct the imbalance and inequity currently plaguing their relationship with the Crown.
“Whether its education, forestry, health or economic development, everyone including industry must recognize that our chiefs are being given a clear mandate by their citizens – we can no longer be left with crumbs or scraps that fall off of the table of government,” Madahbee said.
“Our organizations and institutions are starting to come into their rightful place to formalize our governments.”