On
July 6th, 2006
the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFNA) will begin the initial stages
of building an Algonquin Cultural Centre on traditional Algonquin land
near
Ardoch
,
Ontario
. Men and women from this small non-status Algonquin community will begin clearing land and preparing the site for construction. The Ardoch Community has been raising money for this project for over five years.
A month ago, Ardoch Algonquin First Nation representatives met with the
Township
of
North Frontenac
to advise them of the project. Band
Council members and Township Council agreed the project would be
beneficial to both native and non-native residents of the area. Both
parties understood that the new construction would be on Algonquin land
and the jurisdiction of building permits and regulation would rest with
the First Nation. The Ardoch Algonquin
First Nation Band Council confirmed that construction and site
preparation would meet or exceed the provisions of the Municipal
Building Code and Official Plan. Municipal
and Band Council members met on the proposed site several weeks ago to
confirm the location and agreed to be mutually supportive in this
endeavour.
On June 27th representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) met with Band Council members on the proposed site. The MNR requested that the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation apply for permission to construct the Algonquin Cultural Centre on
Crown
Land
. Band Council members explained that the land for the proposed building was
Algonquin
Land
, protected for them by the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and reaffirmed in the Constitution Act of Canada 1982. Band Council members suggested that if
Ontario
or
Canada
had a “bill of sale” or a treaty that conveyed the land to the Crown
then they would follow the suggested requirements. Band Council members reminded the MNR
Representatives
that the Premier had, a week earlier, requested all parties adhere to
the “rule of law” and that is exactly what the Ardoch Algonquin First
Nation (AAFNA) is doing. Elders explained
to the MNR representatives that “times have changed” and that Indian
people no longer were going to “knuckle under” to the Province when it
denied history and the “rule of law”. The
Elders reminded the MNR representatives that Algonquin men from this
community had fought in past Wars for the Crown and Algonquins had been
allies of the Crown. The Elders asked the MNR to work with them on this project and not demand that they bow to
Ontario
for the right to build on their own land.
Chief
Randy Cota asked the MNR representatives directly to give him assurance
that the Province would not act violently against the Ardoch Algonquin
First Nation when they began the land clearing operation. The
MNR representatives refused to say whether the Province would order
action against the Band once they began site preparation.
The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation is an Anishnàbè community with a membership of just over 700. The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation receives no support from
Canada
and is not controlled by the Indian Act. Algonquin communities have not signed treaties and therefore retain all of their Aboriginal rights and title. The
Ardoch Algonquin First Nation is not a participant in the Algonquins of
Golden Lake Land Claim and dismisses it as corrupt and ill-conceived.
Twenty-five
years ago the small Algonquin Community at Ardoch was the scene of one
of the most dramatic struggles for Aboriginal rights in
Canada
. In August and September of 1981 the people of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and their allies from Alderville, Tyendenaga,
Curve
Lake
and Hiawatha fought a 27-day stand-off against
Ontario
to protect their jurisdiction and responsibility for the manomin (wild rice) which grows in the
Mississippi River
near Ardoch. The wild rice at Ardoch has been shared for over a hundred
and thirty years with pickers from Alderville and
Curve
Lake
. It is the manomin that was preserved from
Rice
Lake
when the construction of the
Trent
Canal
destroyed its habitat there. In 1982, Alan Pope the Minister of Natural
Resources at the time, admitted that there was an unsettled question of
Aboriginal jurisdiction and that
Ontario
had no right to impose its authority over the manomin. No subsequent Provincial government has threatened to lay claim to the rice.
For further information please contact:
Robert Lovelace
Communications Team Leader
613-374-5598
613-532-2166
lovelace@post.queensu.ca
