PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, ARCHIVES THE SUN
Parliament in Quebec on National Truth and Reconciliation Day
The announcement of the Montreal Canadian concerning the reading of a message of territorial recognition in honor of the indigenous peoples1 before each home game surprised me pleasantly.
I then thought of all the young Aboriginal hockey players who aspire to play in the National Hockey League, for whom hockey is a passion that makes them dream. I could not say the number of these players, but I can confirm that hockey is very popular among the aboriginal peoples. And when these young people have Carey Price as a model, it’s all the more motivating! Having said that, my opinions on hockey being relatively limited, I will rather focus on the territorial dimension.
Forms of territorial recognition are more and more common. To work in the field, we regularly receive requests in this direction. It is frankly refreshing and energizing that such initiatives are being put forward, often without Indigenous peoples having to insist that they happen. Organizations, entities and individuals follow in the footsteps of territorial recognition with sincerity. It’s a welcome gesture, but it can quickly become a trivial formality. It is to prevent it from taking such a turn that I wanted to share my opinion on this subject with you.
It is important to understand that territorial recognition is not an end in itself. Rather, it represents the start of a dialogue that can go well beyond the territorial dimension.
It would be ideal for the various stakeholders who wish to engage in such a dialogue to take the time upstream to reflect in depth on what it means for them to formulate a territorial recognition.
It is commendable to recognize the thousand-year-old heritage of the various indigenous peoples in the land used, but it is important to take into account all the dispossession that this same use has generated.
In the case of my Nation, the W8banaki Nation, dispossession took place rapidly over the course of colonization. Thus, access to certain sectors on the Ndakina, our ancestral territory, has been restricted, even prevented, for hundreds of years, causing a considerable loss of memory of culturally important places, even forgetting in passing how these different places were designated in aln8ba8dwaw8gan (Abenaki language). Even some burial sites are completely privatized, some to which we have access and some not. How to preserve a respectful bond with the ancestors if we cannot ensure to assure them an adequate rest without potential disturbance of the places? This dispossession has had repercussions not only on the territorial level, but also on the identity level where the transfer of knowledge of the Nation over the generations has been compromised on several occasions, weakening our culture and our language.
When I am contacted to develop a formula for territorial recognition, I am filled with hope, but I carry all this baggage with me. How to articulate this recognition so that it is tangible for us as a Nation?
A mutually beneficial approach needs to be found. Beyond words, how could it be the bearer of concrete actions? Full and complete recognition? There are many examples: allowing access to the territory for the various traditional uses, making a commitment to watch over burial sites (in order to avoid looting and destruction of these), contributing in human and financial resources to projects to protect resources valued by the Nation, offer training and the sharing of expertise, etc.
That said, my expectations remain relatively clear: that this recognition will help us get to know each other, to share our aspirations and visions on the territory, to forge links of collaboration and alliances. I dare to dream that we will be able to develop a relationship that will generate benefits for the members of the Nation in terms of favorable opportunities, access and connections to Ndakina. We will allow us to adequately ensure our responsibility as stewards on the territory, keeping in mind its sustainability for future generations.
Territorial recognition generally only takes a few lines. It is spoken from the outset on various occasions. For me, it is the very foundation of who I am and of the link that binds me to the territory of my Nation. It is necessary to work together so that these territorial recognitions are really significant and that they adequately embody the aims sought.
I am convinced that it is absolutely possible!
Wliwni (said to himself ole-oné), thank you!
Wli nanawalmezi ! Take good care of yourself !
1. Read “A text of territorial recognition read before each game at the Bell Center” What do you think? Express your opinion