Joint Press Release

“Celebrating the Anniversary of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850”

10-09-09

Batchewana First Nation and Garden River First Nation

 September 9, 1850 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.

Yesterday Batchewana First Nation and Garden River First Nation celebrated the Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty that took place 159 years ago.

Honoring the Anniversary of The Robinson Huron Treaty meant acknowledging the responsibilities and rights that were outlined in the agreement.

As the Federal Government of Canada continues to uphold it’s inherited responsibility of paying a perpetual annuity, the Nations signed to the agreement shall continue to exercise their rights to the treaty as well. Rights including, full and free privilege to hunt over their territory, fish in the waters of their territory as they had done so in the past, reside in reservations for their own use and benefit, and dispose of any part of their reservation, mineral or other valuable production for their sole benefit to the best advantage.

The Treaty was signed with the intent of being fully, freely, and forever. Batchewana First nation and Garden River first Nation embrace this intent by exercising inherent rights.

 The Anniversary of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 is the perfect time to educate all Ojibway Anishinawbek and Canadians on the importance of this historical agreement to better understand the First Nations Peoples inherent rights that hold true today.

Batchewana and Garden River Chiefs along with council representatives and community members met September 9, 2009 and conducted ceremonies celebrating and honoring the spirit and intent of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.