Writer would gladly take the land rather than a cash settlement
To the Expositor:
In their own way, numbers are magic. Consider this one: 16,700. That’s the number of square miles within the Robinson Huron Treaty area. It encompasses the eastern and northern shores of Lake Huron, from Batchewana Bay to Penetanguishene, and includes the islands.
Words are magic, too. For instance: “A” does not equal “T.” “C” does not equal “R.” “T” does not equal “E.” Or, an Act does not equal a Treaty. A treaty can be made only between sovereign nations. A treaty, a covenant and a convention are internationally recognized, legally binding agreements.
The fact that “Indian” nations entered into the Robinson Huron Treaty was a recognition by the British Crown that Anishinaabek were, and are, sovereign nations.
Let’s take that number, 16,700 square miles. How about 16,700 x an assumed value of goods and services produced in one year, say $1,000, which would equal $16,700,000. Now multiply that by the number of years from 1850 to 2024. So, the result is $2,905,800,000. And that’s not counting accrued annual interest.
Or, looking at it another way, how about 16,700 x another assumed value of goods and services produced in one year, say $10,000, which would equal $167,000,000. Multiply that by 174 years from 1850 to 2024, which results in $29,058,000,000. Now imagine the accrued annual interest.
OK, let’s stretch our imaginations again. Let’s say 16,700 square miles of Anishinaabe lands x a further assumed value of goods and services produced in one year, for instance, $100,000. That would equal $1,670,000,000. How about multiplying that by 174 years? The result is: $290,580,000,000. Just for fun, think about the accrued annual interest.
And, we all know that the value of goods and services produced within 16,700 square miles in one year far exceeds $16,700,000, or $167,000,000, or even $1,670,000,000. Just check the Ontario revenue numbers for 2023-2024, at $188.2 billion.
Recall that the British offered, and the Anishinaabek accepted, $4 per year per person, an annuity in perpetuity. The annuity in perpetuity was offered, and accepted, because the British realized that they could not afford to pay the principal price of the 16,700 square miles of land. Then, they thought about offering to pay the interest on the principal. Nope, they couldn’t afford that, either. Finally, someone came up with the brainwave of offering to pay only the interest on the interest, an annuity in perpetuity.
In effect, then, the lands have not been purchased. So, Anishinaabek still own 16,700 square miles of land along the eastern and northern shores of Lake Huron, and the islands. In addition, the Anishinaabek did not sell the waters. So, if we’re still sovereign, why are we bothering with domestic courts? As it is, neither Canada nor Ontario want to be bothered with enforcing the terms of the Robinson Huron Treaty. They’re merely trying to bury the whole issue under their Canadian and Ontario laws. Not even any consideration of Anishinaabe laws in an international context.
There’s been lots of talk about reconciliation. What is really needed is restitution—to restore as closely as possible what was taken from Anishinaabek in the first place.
If you ask me, I’ll gladly take my share of 16,700 square miles of land and waters. I can make a living better that way than using cash, which goes flying out of the purse faster than it gets put into the purse.
Mii sa iw.
Marie McGregor Pitawanakwat
Dooganing
