MANITOULIN—A treaty gathering is taking place on Manitoulin Island on May 22-23.
“The treaty gathering will take a look and talk about the history of Manitoulin Island and treaties up to 1862,” said Josh Manitowabi, an assistant professor in history at Brock University. “We will be talking about the treaties of 1836, the Robinson-Huron treaty of Robinson-Huron and the 1862 Manitoulin Island treaty. Basically, we will be talking about all the treaties in the region, Manitoulin Island and the North Shore, from the time the French arrived in the 17th century up to 1862.”
On Monday, May 22, “we will be gathering on Anishinabek land the Manitowaning Reserve on land by the lighthouse,” said Mr. Manitowabi. He explained there will be a pipe ceremony taking place at 7 am followed by breakfast at 8:30 am. Ogimaa Rachel Manitowabi of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory will deliver the opening remarks at 10 am.
A lunch will take place at 1 pm followed by a Wampum belt teaching session being put on by Ken Maracle from Six Nations beginning at 2:30 pm.
Mr. Manitowabi explained, “we are inviting all Manitoulin Island chiefs along with those from Cape Croker, Saugeen, and Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare.”
The second day of the gathering will take place on Tuesday, May 23 at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M’Chigeeng First Nation. “This will be a one-day history on Manitoulin Island history by academic scholars and researchers from various universities,” said Mr. Manitowabi.
Opening remarks will be delivered at 9 am by Darrel Manitowabi, associate professor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and then the history will be provided by the academic scholars and researchers, continued Mr. Manitowabi.
“Shelly Pearen will be holding a launch of her book, ‘Wikwemikong Diarium Part 1 1844-1853’ at 3 pm,” said Mr. Manitowabi.
