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From Ministikwan
Lake to Ottawa, the
nation’s capital, this is
the second visit in the
last four months.
I feel like I am
getting to know my
way around the city,
can’t find a Goat Trail.
During August we
made our way around
on the motorcycles,
this trip I rented a car
so it was a little more
relaxed.
Ottawa is quite
amazing. Although
the Parliament
Buildings stand out as
the political sentinel,
there are many
other buildings with
fabulous architecture, beautiful riverside
parks, walking paths, manicured
gardens with benches and gazebos for
you to stop to enjoy the surroundings.
Walking across the metal bridge to
Gatineau, Que. you have a great view
of the back side of the Parliament
Buildings and the Parliamentary library.
Then a few short steps to the Museum of
Civilization where local Cold Lake, Alta.
Dene Suline artist Alex Janvier painted
the “Morning Star” on the dome in the
Grand Hall, which represents common
aboriginal values and philosophies.
Having said that,
we were attending
the Assembly of
First Nations Special
Chiefs Assembly
where First Nation
chiefs from across the
nation gathered to
affirm, advance and
strengthen the First
Nation rights of their
citizens.
I was fortunate
to attend the event
with local Chief
Leslie Crookedneck
of Island Lake First
Nation (soon to return
back to Ministikwan
First Nation).
Of course Ontario’s
Attawaspikat
situation was definitely a topic of
conversation, but along with that many
chiefs also feel that the country’s media
do not understand the basic protocol
in addressing duly elected Aboriginal
leaders on all levels.
It was most interesting and informative
speaking to aboriginal leaders from
coast to coast.
Even after all the years of working
with the First Nation people in Canada
there is still a long way to go before we
truly understand the people we signed
treaties with many years ago.
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