Media Advisory
For Immediate Release:

May 17, 2023

First Nations Treaties Gathering to Take Place in Manitowaning, and M’Chigeeng, Ontario

Wiikwemkoong, Ontario – Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin (RHW) is pleased to announce that it will be partnering with the Ojibway Cultural Foundation and academic partners (Brock University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and York university) in co-hosting a Manitoulin Island Treaties (1836, 1862) Gathering from May 22 to May 23, 2023, in Manitowaning and M’Chigeeng, Ontario. Co-hosted by RHW and OCF, the Gathering is proudly sponsored by Idigenous Tourism Ontario, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and Wikwemikong Tourism. The event will bring together First Nations from the region to discuss and celebrate the importance of treaty relationships.

The Treaties Gathering will feature various activities and events, including ceremony and guest speakers. The event will allow First Nations leaders, Elders, and community members to share their experiences and knowledge.

“We are thrilled to host this Treaties Gathering and to bring together First Nations from across the region,” said Naomi Recollet, of the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation. “This event is an important opportunity to strengthen our relationships and to celebrate our Treaty relationships and responsibilities.”

The Treaties Gathering will be held at the Manitowaning Reserve, Ontario, featuring talks by Manitoulin Chiefs on May 22, 2023. This will be followed by an academic conference at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M’Chigeeng, Ontario on May 23, 2023. The event is open to all members of First Nations communities, as well as non-Indigenous individuals who are interested in learning more about Treaty relationships.

For more information on the Treaties Gathering, including registration and a detailed schedule of events, please visit waawiindamaagewin.com.

About Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin

Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin is an initiative undertaken by the 21 First Nations of the Robinson Huron Treaty to create a Treaty-level body capable of addressing many issues that have, until this time, been addressed within Canadian government- created agencies and systems of governance. The goal is to develop a collective Anishinaabe decision-making body progressing the interests and inherent rights of our people’s interests and inherent rights. We recognize that the Treaty helps protects our inherent rights and can build on the strength of this collective to enhance and foster health and wellness for our people.

RHW also conducts treaty-based research, facilitates community engagement in Robinson Huron Treaty communities on treaty- related matters, and develops treaty education tools, including detailed use and occupancy research of the treaty area.

Media Contacts

For media inquiries and more information, please contact:
Sam Manitowabi, Senior Policy Advisor – Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin (sam@waawiindamaagewin.com) Darrel Manitowabi, Organizing Committee Co-Lead (dmanitowabi@nosm.ca)
Josh Manitowabi, Organizing Committee Co-Lead (jm15re@brocku.ca)