Thank you for joining us for this years Treaty Week.  You can join us virtually via Zoom or YouTube by clicking on the buttons provided below at the corresponding times shown on the schedule.  Click on the posters shown below for a closer look or scroll down the page to our detailed schedule for event information and all live stream event times.

Monday, November 1, 2021

11:00 a.m. Treaty Week Opening Ceremony

Presenters: Leroy Bennet, Cheryl Recollet, Earl Commanda

Our opening ceremony kicks off this year’s events. Join Leroy Bennett, cultural advisor for Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin, as he helps us open our event in a good way.

Leroy Bennet – Bio

Leroy Bennett is a Cultural Consultant and Ceremony Facilitator who works on local and international levels. The Sagamok Anishnawbek member is part of the cultural resurgence movement, which he says is both challenging and rewarding in Nation-building endeavors. Building relationships at multi-national levels has given Leroy insight into how to maintain the integrity of Anishinaabek values and teachings without compromise. This is the main-stay of progress and has lent clarity to his experiences. Leroy’s front-line experiences has enabled him to work with genuine compassion and understanding. Anishinawbe teachings have created the foundation for his work as a policy analyst and developer. Leroy is a Cultural Advisor and Ceremonial Leader for Amnesty International, Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Case, Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin, National 60’s Scoop Foundation, Argyle Communication Company and his community.

1:00 p.m. Waawiindamaagewin Update

Presenters: Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin Team

Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin (RHW) Staff will present an update on the projects and programs currently being undertaken. This session will include updates on the Use and Occupancy Mapping Project, GIS Program, and a special presentation on Food Sovereignty in the Territory.

2:00 p.m. GIS Training Session

Presenters: Nicky Recollet, Jenilee Neveau

Join Nicky Recollet and Jenilee Neveau as they discuss the RHW GIS Portal, Tools and Quick Start Guide. This session is ideally geared toward lands and resources technicians but is useful information for all.

Nicky Recollet – Bio

Nicky Recollet has always had a strong connection to the land that is known as Wawnabitaybing(Wahnapitae First Nation) and places the values that her ancestors passed down to her with the utmost respect, and appreciates the roles and responsibilities of her spirit. As GIS Analyst for RHW, Nicky contributes to our mapping programs, projects and applications. Some of the applications built offer Ministry data to view and monitor activity. While other projects consist of Critical Cartography and research with our historians. Nicky is currently working on her Masters in GIS Applications, online with Vancouver Island University.

Jenilee Neveau – Bio

Jenilee Neveau has always had a strong connection with the Creator, the lands and wildlife. She is responsible for enhancing, developing, and building the RHW GIS and related databases. Jenilee works with the RHW GIS Analyst to assist with the development and maintenance of web-based applications, create and maintain spatial data, complete data analysis and manipulation, produce mapping products, and to assist RHW staff and communities with GIS-related tasks. Jenilee has a diploma in fish and wildlife, a bachelor’s degree in geography, a minor in geomatics and a certificate in lands management (National Aboriginal Lands Association).

7:00 p.m. – Evening with Our Experts: Anishinaabe Law

Presenters: Fred Kelly

Fred Kelly – Bio

Fred Kelly is a citizen of the Ojibways of Onigaming, a community of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3. Kizhebowse Mukwaa (Kind Walking Bear) of the Lynx Clan is an Elder in Midewin, the Sacred Law and Medicine Society of the Anishinaabe. As such he is a Keeper and Practitioner of Sacred Law. Fred will provide us with a discussion around traditional Anishinaabe Law.

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

9:45 a.m. Anishabemowin with Jess Shonias

Presenter: Jess Shonias

Each morning Jess will share with us some Anishinaabemwin energizers to get our day going. Jessica Shonias is a member of Rama First Nation but grew up in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and has familial ties to Serpent River First Nation and Curve Lave First Nation. Currently, Jessica is the language teacher for Niigaaniin Services and has been tasked with improving fluency amongst staff and promoting Anishinaabemowin.

10:00 a.m. RHTLF Annuities Case Update

Presenter: Roger Jones

Roger Jones will share an update from the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF) regarding the current litigation before the courts regarding the annual annuity of the Robinson Huron Treaty.

Roger Jones – Bio

Roger Jones is Anishinaabe from Sagamok First Nation. Roger is co-lead counsel for the Restoule litigation and is involved in all aspects of the Robinson Huron Treaty annuities case. Roger has played a critical role in key legal and political developments internationally and in Canada including: the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the negotiations surrounding the repatriation of the Canadian constitution, the Federal Crown First Nations Political Accord in 2005, and the Ipperwash Inquiry in Ontario. Roger has also been involved in emerging developments on a wide range of matters such as consultation and accommodation, Treaty implementation and resource revenue sharing. Roger was the founding president of the Indigenous Bar Association, served on the Board, and was the former Vice-Chair, Native Law section of the Canadian Bar Association. He has also worked as the Legal Advisor to the Assembly of First Nations.

11:30 a.m. Annuities Panel

Presented by Mike Restoule and Leroy Bennet, moderated by Steven McCoy

1:00 p.m. History of the Robinson Huron Treaty

Presenter: Christopher Albinati

Chris Albinati – Bio

Chris Albinati is the primary junior lawyer on the Restoule legal team and has been present in court throughout all stages of the Restoule litigation, including the recent hearings before the Ontario Court of Appeal. Chris received his Juris Doctor from Thompson Rivers University, was called to the Bars of British Columbia and Ontario in 2015 and joined Nahwegahbow Corbiere as an Associate. In 2017, Chris successfully defended his LLM thesis titled, “Indigenous Blockades and the Power to Speak the Law: From Settler Colonialism to Indigenous Resurgence” at Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to joining the Restoule litigation Chris was working on a PhD dissertation which involved novel research into the assertion and performance of Indigenous laws and jurisdiction. Chris advocates exclusively for First Nations clients and practices solely in Aboriginal law, primarily in Treaty, Aboriginal Title and rights litigation. He has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada where he was co-counsel for the Indigenous Bar Association.

7:00 p.m. Evening with Our Experts: Building Nationhood

Presenter: Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

9:45 a.m. Anishnabemowin with Jess Shonias

Presenter: Jess Shonias

Each morning Jess will share with us some Anishinaabemwin energizers to get our day going. Jessica Shonias is a member of Rama First Nation but grew up in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and has familial ties to Serpent River First Nation and Curve Lave First Nation. Currently, Jessica is the language teacher for Niigaaniin Services and has been tasked with improving fluency amongst staff and promoting Anishinaabemowin.

10:00 a.m. – Edna Manitowabi – The Creation Story

Edna Manitowabi Bio

Edna is Odawa/Ojibwa from Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island.  She is head woman for the Eastern Doorway of the Three Fires Midewewin Lodge.  Edna is well-known nationally as a Traditional teacher, ceremonialist, drum keeper and grandmother.  

11:00 a.m. – Alabat Owl – Finding Aazhenik

Alabat Owl Bio

Albert Owl, OCT (Gaa’obiibagwanet nidizinikaaz, Miigizi nida’nowemaa, Zagamo-inini nidaaw.)

I am a proud father, a grandfather, a helper, and a language teacher for Niigaaniin. I am forever grateful to my mother my father and everyone before them for keeping and passing on our Mother-tongue, our Ojibwe-anishinaabe language. Teaching and speaking my language now daily have brought and helped me to broaden my holistic view in life today, what I mean is, it has given me a direction to focus on. Also, by understanding and speaking my language today compliments the life I live in now.

1:00 p.m. – Mike Bisson

Mike Bisson Bio

Michael Bisson is a known knowledge keeper who shares his teachings through sacred circles and ceremony. His work has taken him through Ontario to various organizations offering the teachings he learned in the mide lodge and from his mother and other teachers. His work includes Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services to which he retired from and is now currently working at Benbowopka Treatment Centre as Elder/Knowledge Keeper.  Mike is a father, grandfather andhusband who currently resides in Mississauga FN. He3 was originally born and raised in both Wikwekikoong and M’Chigeeng FN and he continues to share our Anishinabe worldviews through storytelling, passion and humour.

2:00 p.m. – Martina Osawamick

Martina Osawamick Bio

Martina Osawamick is an Anishinaabe Kwe from Wikwemkoong Unceded Territory. She is a member of the Beaver Clan and her Anishinaabemowin name is Rose Woman. She has the wolf and bear as her helpers and follows the good way of life. Martina is the matriarch of her family with 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She is known as Nokomis Martina, a name she prefers over Elder.

Thursday, November 4, 2021

8:45 a.m. Anishabemowin with Jess Shonias

Presenter: Jess Shonias

Each morning Jess will share with us some Anishinaabemwin energizers to get our day going. Jessica Shonias is a member of Rama First Nation but grew up in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and has familial ties to Serpent River First Nation and Curve Lave First Nation. Currently, Jessica is the language teacher for Niigaaniin Services and has been tasked with improving fluency amongst staff and promoting Anishinaabemowin.

9:00 a.m. Treaty Talks with Tomorrow’s Leaders

We are inviting all classrooms, teachers, students and educational administrators to join us for our Treaty Talks with Tomorrow’s Leaders event during Treaty Week 2021. Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin is hosting our Ogimaak in our schools to share Treaty knowledge and foster strong Treaty relationships.  

Fill out our questionnaire and be entered into a draw for some classroom swag! Please submit your classroom’s questions by Friday, October 29, 2021. Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/ ZZ3d4FyBETwXZy5cA 

9:00 a.m. Elementary Session

Featuring:

Ogimaa Ozawanimke – Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik Elementary School (to be confirmed)

Ogimaa Rickard and Ogimaa Sayers – Eastview Public School

Ogimaa Shining Turtle – Shawanosowe School

9:00 a.m. – Opening Comments 

9:05 a.m – Biidahbun School with Ogimaa Ozawanimke 

9:35 a.m. – Shawonoswe with Ogimaa Shining Turtle – Grade 8 Class 

10:05 a.m. – Eastview

10:35 – Closing Ceremony – Drum 

1:00 p.m. Secondary Students

Featuring:

Ogimaa Pawis – Parry Sound High School

Ogimaa Peltier – Wasse Abin High School

Ogimaa Rickard and Ogimaa Sayers – White Pines School

12:30 – Intro and Welcoming 

12:35 – Parry Sound Highschool and Drum – Ogimaa Pawis 

1:00 – Waase Abin High School – Ogimaa Peltier 

1:30  – White Pines – Ogimaa Sayers and Ogimaa Rickard 

2:00 Closing – White Pines 

7:00 p.m. Post-Secondary Session

Featuring:

Ogimaa Sayers – Algoma University

Friday, November 5, 2021

10:00 a.m. Treaty Governance: Ogimaak Panel

Moderated by RHW Executive Director Earl Commanda

A facilitated discussion with our Ogimaak will explore their perspectives on treaty topics such as rights vs. responsibilities, the governance of treaty-related issues, and the reconciliation of our treaty-based relationships. In addition, the dialogue will explore communications and engagement processes for making assertions as sovereign people related to our shared lands and relationships. 

11:30 a.m. Treaty Week Closing

Presented by Leroy Bennett

For more information, contact Cheryl Recollet, Director of Research and Communications, cheryl@waawiindamaagewin.com