Batchewana takes its case to the United Nations

NEWS RELEASE

BATCHEWANA FIRST NATION OF OJIBWAYS

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Last week Batchewana First Nations Council sent Chief Dean Sayers on a mission to the United Nations in New York City.

The local chief spoke to a representative of the special rapporteur on Friday April 23, 2010 at UN headquarters.

The United Nations representative will ultimately submit a summary report to the United Nations General Assembly in regards to violations of human rights pertaining to indigenous Peoples around the world.

Chief Dean Sayers, on return to Batchewana, made the following statement: “I found the trip to the United Nations extremely beneficial and I believe the outcomes of this trip will not only assist Batchewana members but all Anishinabek across Canada. My presentation was focussed on Canada’s ill interpretation of our historic relationship. Canada has no conscience when it comes to their obligations to us – which incidentally is a legally binding agreement. As Anishinabek people we should not be suffering. We have a historic agreement that was meant to maintain our quality of life. Maybe Canada doesn’t care about their obligations but the world might see the issues in a different light”.

Batchewana First Nation is hoping that a little pressure from the United Nations may prompt the Canadian government to properly interpret the spirit and intent of the original treaty relationship.

Chief Dean Sayers commented that there is no expiry date on our treaty relationship: "I believe the agreement should be honoured today as is the Canadian constitution which isn’t as old as Batchewana’s treaty agreement but is still valid in the eyes of the Canadian government.”

Chief Sayers' presentation was approved by council and community members before his departure to New York.

The presentation included information unique to Batchewana territory as well as specific references to the mandated articles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how they relate to Batchewana First Nation and its people, references such as;

“In particular I draw your attention to Article 1 where it states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one and other in a spirit of brotherhood."

The presentation went on to note that:

"The visiting colonizing government represented by Britain and today Canada have removed 98 percent of our land base through various conditional arrangements by way of treaty relationships. The systemic theft of our lands has left our people unable to maintain a quality of life that is equal to the rest of the Canadian population. As a result our basic human rights have been compromised. Our rights are not honoured under Canada’s current Indian act. We are penalized if we leave the Indian reserve. Our rights to hunt and fish within our territory are either severed or challenged in the visiting governments court systems."

Chief Sayers also raised concerns about the high level of ignorance which is rampant in Canada when it comes to mainstream Canadians understanding the true history of Canada. “I am continually surprised to hear people don’t have the slightest understanding about the unique relationship we have with their government. This ignorance is unacceptable in this day and age. Every immigrant coming to our lands should be mandated to understand our living relationship. Every school curriculum should also contain major modules which help eradicate this high level of ignorance."

The presentation referenced Chief Sayer’s concerns by noting that:

"Canada needs to climatize all visitors (immigrants) to this land and the general Canadian public as to the true history of our lands and people. The Canadian government has the obligation to educate all citizens on the importance of their historical agreements with First Nations (treaties) to better understand the First Nations Peoples inherent rights that hold true today. By disregarding this obligation the Canadian Government is perpetuating ignorance and intolerance of the First Peoples to this land."

Canada’s continual refusal to sign off on the Declaration of Indigenous Rights is an international blemish on Canada’s reputation.

New Zealand received an ovation for their new endorsement of the agreement as did the United States, both countries intend to give their endorsement in the very near future.

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