WILLIAM
COMMANDAÕS REFLECTIONS IN CORRESPONDENCE TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND THE QUEEN
REGARDING HIS APPOINTMENT TO OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF CANADA AND HIS WORK
Circle of All Nations
Home: 231 Pitobig Mikan
Maniwaki, Quebec, J9E 3B1
Mail: c/o 506 Stratas Court
Kanata, Ontario
K2L 3K7
May 8, 2009
Her Excellency the Right
Honourable Michalle Jean
Governor General of
Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A1
Dear Excellency,
Re: Appointment to Officer of the Order of Canada and my Work
I am writing to express deep
appreciation of my appointment to Officer of the Order of Canada, for
Ņleadership as an elder who has promoted intercultural understanding and has
raised awareness of the traditions and legacies of CanadaÕs Aboriginal people.Ó
Please permit me, an old man of ninety-five, some moments of reflection.
I was struck to note that
the Order of Canada, this countryÕs own system of honours, was instituted for
the first time in 1967, during CanadaÕs Centennial Year. I sometimes say that I see stages of
change in the ways that I, the native,
have been seen by others and 1967 has served as a useful date upon which
to reference some of these reflections.
Some have heard me recount how, while building canoes at the EXPO Õ67
celebrations in Montreal, my ancestral home base, I was spat upon and called maudit
sauvage; already by that time, having
commenced my own journey of forgiveness and reconciliation with the people
inhabiting my country, I responded, I love you, brother. My
next significant recollection concerning identity came in 1982, when I built a
canoe for Queen Margrethe of Denmark, and in my meeting with her, felt
respected for the first time in my life for what I could do with my hands and
my personal gifts. At the turn of
the millennium, I joked that I often felt like The Noble Savage as I opened meetings for government and others. Today, I feel like I am taking my rightful place in this
country, as one who is being acknowledged for Ņa lifetime of achievement and
merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at
large.Ó The Order of Canada Motto says, DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM; I too
desire a better country, indeed a better world.
I am deeply grateful to
witness this national recognition in my lifetime. For so long, I have felt invisible.
I carry the dreams of
my ancestors, my peoples and my descendents with me, so I do not come to this
honour alone.
Others have nominated me
for this wonderful honour. May I
present myself to you?
I was named Ojigkwanong: Morning Star by my mother, because my peoples believe that the world of nature
impacts our lives and responsibilities, and that that connection must be
honoured; as brightly as the star shone in the surrounding darkness on the
morning of my birth, so was I to strive to shine a torch during my lifetime. My
clan is Squirrel, and with that gentle wild creature comes responsibilities to
gather and plant seeds widely, and thus foster and celebrate biodiversity; and
to travel the ups and downs of the journey of life, head first, with courage
and determination. My familyÕs name is Segimay: Mosquito;
you may have heard the Mahatma Gandhi quip about the mosquito, reminding us
never to forget the power of one: that was the philosophy behind the development
of individuals and not institutions in our culture. My grandfather Louis Segimay
CommandaÕs family acquired their new name
because, with their English allies, they played a key role in the protection of
their northern lands along their canoe and portage route from the colonizers in
the south during the war of 1812 -
the area that has become the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site; we
are invisible in this story that
lead to the birth of Canada, the last battle of that war having been fought on
11 November, 1813, exactly one hundred years before I was born. My great, great
grandfather, who is still remembered by his native name, Luc Antoine
Pakinawatik: Stick Hit by Lightning,
his name reminding us of his regenerative connection with the Laws of Nature
that govern life, was carrier of four sacred Wampum Belts for the Indigenous
Peoples; he established the reserve of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg in 1854, before
there was a Canada or a Quebec, prepared to share his vast territory on the
Ottawa River Watershed and into the Saint Lawrence and the Great Lakes with the
newcomers, while holding a portion intact as a sanctuary to protect our
language, culture, heritage and resources.
My ancestors played
leadership roles within our community and beyond, and many served as chiefs, as I did myself, acclaimed to this position for
over nineteen years. An activist fighting for Indigenous Rights since the
forties when we commenced our appeals for recognition and for environmental
stewardship to the United Nations, I was appointed Supreme Chief of the North
American Indian Nations Government in 1953, and I continue to hold its values
strong in my heart and promote them in my work and actions. I have been Carrier
of three Sacred Wampum Belts since 1971, and their messages are as relevant
today as they were centuries ago.
Today, many people are beginning to realize this. The Seven Fires Prophecy anticipated these times of unprecedented change in
our lives across the globe, and since its warnings were not heeded, many new choices
are being forced upon the world at large with great urgency now regarding our
relationship with Mother Earth and each other. With the Three Figure Welcoming/ Sharing Wampum
Belt of the 1700s, created before our
country was divided, my ancestors of the Eastern Seaboard agreed to share the
grand natural resources of our land and our values in three equal parts with
the newcomers, then the French and English – today, we Indigenous Peoples
remain the most impoverished, oppressed and invisible in our own land; at the same time, with the absence
of a true integration of our values in the evolution of this country which
believes it lights a torch for the world, today we face global environmental,
economic and human crises of an unprecedented nature. The Jay Treaty Border Crossing Belt on one level acknowledged that we were the true and
original inhabitants of the continent of North America, and our right to travel
without molestation affirmed – yet today we are confined to poor
reserves, and provincial and national boundaries divide and undermine us. In this youngest of our belts, the
genuine purple wampum beads are separated by artificial white Hudson Bay beads
– our ancestors knew the borders in their lands would be breaking down;
and over the past decade, I have reminded many people of the headline – it
is 2025, and Canada becomes the 51st state of the US. Today, you see this is
already starting to happen.
Following a deep spiritual
awakening in 1961, I embarked on the work of creating a Circle of All Nations and over the past decade I have reached out
nationally, across America and internationally to share Indigenous wisdom and
prayer, promote respect for Mother Earth and environmental stewardship, support
individual and community healing and advance racial harmony and peace
building. I do this alone, with no
organization, infrastructure or funding, but over the years, many thousands of
people have integrated these values as a way of life. This is a mere drop in the ocean. Still, it has come to the attention of the larger world, and
I have been honoured with awards and acknowledgement for my efforts to advance
Indigenous values. Two honours
within the National Capital Region are especially important to me: my Honorary
Doctorate Degree from the University of
Ottawa – a significant acknowledgement of the relevance of Indigenous
wisdom held by a Kindergarten Dropout; and the Key to the City
of Ottawa, a conscious or unconscious recognition that the rightful place of my
people lies within the heart of the country, where the people of a
city can see friends they can trust even with their lives, the only ones who
can really open the heart of the city
– such, I am told, are the Roman origins to this honour.
With this appointment
to Officer of the Order of Canada, I see the Office of the Queen acknowledging Indigenous, and I feel we are coming closer to joining hands
in the sacred circle of humanity; I feel we are no longer quite so invisible in
our lands.
Still, I must take a
moment to reflect briefly on our history and current reality as Indigenous
Peoples.
Land lies at the crux of
our struggles: we believe we belong to the land; newcomers think they can own
Mother Earth. In 1532, Franciscus
di Vittoria, acclaimed as Founder of Modern International Law, asserted to the
Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire that the Indians were the true owners of
the land, holding it in honour of the Creator, and that the pearls of the sea
belonged to them. This is where the notion of Aboriginal Rights has its roots
in North America. This is the zone
of the Honour of the Crown. Treaties were not negotiated in good
faith over much of the country, and here, the traditional territory of my ancestors remains unceded,
unsurrendered and unconquered land. Some, like me, have deep reservations about
laws, and regulations and amendments, often seeing these as tools that have
given others unjustified rights over our lands and resources. When my ancestors first met Philomen
Wright, the first white settler, at the Sacred Chaudire Site on the Ottawa
River in 1800, and asked by what right he cut down the trees and took the land,
the stranger drew a paper from his pocket and read ŅThe Indians have
consented to relinquish all claim to the land, in compensation for which they
receive annual grants from the Government, which shall be withheld if they
molest settlers.Ó This paper, my ancestors saw as a big Ņloup garouÓ, an indescribable monster supposed to have
supernatural powers, and in my own lifetime, I have experienced the deep fear
this reference brings to native peoples. Such are the roots for the struggle
for land. Divorce from the land, the destructive attack on our identity, our
political, judicial, family, social and cultural structures, the outlawing and
undermining of our profound and integrated spiritual ceremonies and ideology,
and our invisibility in our homeland are the manifestation of the deepest solitude within this country, and this cancer impacts the
land and all the inhabitants. This is evident tangibly in the Residential Schools
legacy; overt and systemic racism; the disproportionate representation of
Aboriginal Peoples in the criminal justice system; the confusion between crime
and the struggle for rights and the injustices therein; the Missing WomenÕs
tragedy; the plight of Federally Sentenced Aboriginal Women; the failure of the
educational system; our abject poverty; struggles with all forms of abuse and
suicide; and the exploitation and destruction of our grand natural
resources. Our spirit is being
crushed.
The world has awakened to
the tremendous burden Indigenous Peoples have carried in the evolution of this
modern world, and, after decades of struggle, have finally signed the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
However, this country, where the world comes to roost, still fails us,
the original, legitimate inhabitants of this land. The fragility of the authority over the land was evident to
the world at large when you in your capacity as representative of the Crown
were obliged to prorogue parliament this very winter.
Homogenized worlds are not the
ones that can generate creativity and sustain life – and in the world of
nature it is the glorious biodiversity that sparks life anew again and again. Many have heard me quote the ŅOnly AfterÓ Indigenous
prophecy repeatedly over the years:
„ Only
after the last tree is cut,
„ Only
after the last river is poisoned,
„ Only
after the last fish has been caught,
„ Only
then you will know that
Your
money cannot be eaten!
Few
will deny now that the then is now. We are living in times of prophecy!
We cannot be assimilated and it would be dangerous and
irrevocable global loss if Indigenous Peoples all merely became Honorary
Canadian Citizens, because the world itself is in need of the dynamic energy of
the Indigenous to regenerate itself.
Forgive me for dwelling on
these matters. But because I believe this subject is essential to a true
understanding of the reason why the Indigenous worldview is important to all of
us, I am including as Appendix 1, an excerpt from my ninety fifth
birthday blog on the Seven Wonders of Canada, and the unacknowledged Indigenous
spirit underlying this reverence for my country. Those consumed with an
unquenchable desire for the resources that do not sustain life when commodified
and expropriated place all existence in danger, and despite the grave warnings
of Mother Earth continue on a path of destruction; in the move from money
laundering to the new Ņmining launderingÓ, Earth is not being fooled at all.
This backdrop leads now
to my current pressing priority and preoccupation. It concerns our vision for the Sacred Chaudire Site and the
Indigenous Centre at Victoria Island, within the National Capital Region, (as
outlined in the attached bilingual note, Appendix 2.)
For four decades,
Indigenous Peoples have been striving actively to establish an Indigenous
Centre at the ancient sacred site at the Chaudires Falls, within the heart of
the country and the National Capital Region. This place was visited by peoples from across the continent
for six thousand years; it is no wonder that Queen Victoria chose this area for
what has become Parliament of Canada.
It is today a descerated industrial wasteland, but it is still precious to us.
I believe the vision for
an Indigenous Centre at Victoria Island and the larger complementary vision for
Asinabka, the Sacred Chaudire Site, is
not only important for Indigenous peoples but also for the world. It is one bastion in an ever-darkening
horizon of chaos.
Its core elements include the Indigenous
Centre on Victoria Island, a Peace Building complex, an Eco City Park and Think
Tank on the Environment, and a Historic Park. It is the Indigenous
vision for hope, reconciliation, integration and inclusion, with national and
international relevance, in what used to be the grand, sacred meeting place of
Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island since Time Immemorial, but what has instead become a shameful urban
brownfield in the heart of this country in less than two hundred years.
Over the past four decades,
Aboiriginal Peoples have resumed congregating in this area. In the seventies, this place was
identified as the site of an Aboriginal centre in the plans of the National
Capital Commission. For over a decade, I
have worked hard to advance this plan. Today, you will still not find a toilet
on this site, unlike all the other public places managed by the NCC.
Ten years ago, in May
2000, their Excellencies then, Adrienne Clarkson and John Raulston Saul,
participated in a talking circle at my Circle of All Nations Millennium
Peace Building Gathering, and then and in
subsequent meetings, I presented them with our vision for the Indigenous Centre
at Victoria Island. As advised, we
thereafter approached several Prime Ministers, and a range of federal ministries
for support of this project. Forty
years after this cultural centre was envisioned in the plans of the National
Capital Commission (NCC), and not withstanding the years of effort of the past
decade, government in Canada is still unable to identify a clear responsibility
centre, and take any action whatsoever on this file. Though in 2004, further to
my direct request to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the NCC (which is
mandated to showcase the culture of Canada in the heartland) commissioned the preparation
of a Recommendation to Cabinet on the project, and in 2006, (when its own
mandate was under review) it expressed full support for the project, it really has
not assumed its fundamental responsibility
to ensure First Peoples are visible in the picture of the Canadian face; one
can only speculate on the depths of the negative racial burden we have had to
carry in this failure to showcase the true history and heritage of Indigenous
Peoples in this evolving country. In April, 2008, we made a presentation to the
new board of the NCC and I include the notes as Appendix 3 in
order to give you a brief overview of the file.
This absence and avoidance
of responsibility to acknowledge and honour the original peoples of this land
by government is not merely painful, and devastatingly costly to the well being
of Indigenous Peoples who remain invisible
to the people who now occupy our own homeland, but such attitudes have also
meant that our lands and waters have been exploited without the balancing
wisdom of Indigenous Peoples, and our deep wisdom and fundamental
understandings about peace, inter-cultural, personal and social relationships
has been largely untapped. It is
no wonder that the world is now facing unprecedented environmental and social
crises, and few will deny that no
critically significant shift in this reality is being felt anywhere yet.
I have limited resources
to pursue this effort further by myself, and as you must be aware, First
Peoples are so preoccupied with barely coping with so many urgent matters,
there are limited opportunities and resources for many of us to focus on the
truly important ones in a concerted manner. At this precise moment, my people
are having to petition in Parliament to stop cuts to education funding, and at
the same time, researchers are finding that Aboriginal Peoples are
astoundingly poorer than other Ethnic minorities (Saskatoon Star Phoenix, March 2009). I lived through the great
depression when my parents were forcibly prevented from hunting and fishing,
while on our lands, (where there were no treaties even) our resources were
being stolen, appropriated and destroyed; at this time people in towns and
cities received welfare, and we Indigenous Peoples nothing at all. Today,
Canada again looks to our natural resources while we remain invisible and
marginalized and increasingly impoverished. We are not blind to these realities, and our history does
not reflect well on the early settlers; neither does our reality reflect well
on the newer occupants of our land, many themselves having experienced similar
exploitation and oppression in other homelands.
Against this desperate
backdrop of the present day lives of my peoples, nonetheless, our spirit
remains undefeated. And today
there are countless peoples, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal, who have
expressed deep hope to see the materialization of the vision for the Sacred
Chaudire Site for the potential benefit and self respect of all. I have
been requesting one tiny portion
of our rightful share of our grand natural resources to entrench our spirit,
heritage and prayer on our ancient sacred site in a vision for reconciliation,
integration and sustainable relationships for all, locally, nationally and
internationally, and during my lifetime.
Ten years after my
original request to the former Governor General of Canada for support for the
Vision to establish a Indigenous Centre at Victoria Island, and following years
of efforts with the federal government, and three Prime Ministers and other
Cabinet Ministers, I come back to report to your office that I am deeply
disappointed that we have made no advance in this effort after all. I am told
that we need a champion for this work.
Perhaps. I think we need justice.
I pray to see a significant statement about the manifestation of this
vision before the anniversary of the famous June 11 apology that has shifted so
very little in our reality.
Now I understand that your
office must kept safe from political issues which are not considered a part of
your constitutional responsibilities but should rather be directed to your
Canadian Ministers. I provide you
with this update on my work because its essence lies at the core of honour you
are now bestowing upon me, and I do believe that you and Order of Canada
colleagues will understand the nature of my preoccupations.
I hope to see you on the
fifteenth of May. Sadly, today, I
sign this letter from the Queensway Carleton Hospital; you will understand how
the urgency of my mission presses upon me.
I must now bring this
unfinished business to the attention of her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the
Second, who, I know, continues to seek to safeguard the Honour of the Crown in her
remarkable, exemplary way. (Copy of correspondence included)
Your Excellency, may I
leave you with my take on the lines of our times, these times of unprecedented
change: Black is beautiful, Brown is kinda cute, and, Its time for the Red
Man to Get Ahead, Man!
Thank you once again for
the deep honour with which I am being invested. Every good wish to you in your
service to this land, its peoples and beyond.
Sincerely,
William Commanda, Hon.
Phd., O.C
Algonquin Elder
Founder, Circle of All
Nations
circleofallnations@sympatico.ca
www.circleofallnations.ca (General
Information)
www.asinabka.com
(Indigenous Centre Information)
http://web.mac.com/circleofallnations (Elder CommandaÕs Recent Activities)
4 files included
Appendix 1
I wish to illustrate a
little further thoughts we shared at my ninety fifth birthday celebration, and
this pertains to the recent CBC exploration of the Seven Wonders of Canada, and
the Indigenous spirit underlying this reverence for this country.
Excerpt from the Ninety
Five Year OldÕs Birthday Blog:
Hundreds of folks joined us for
this special theme birthday celebration.
The theme? Entrenching Indigenous Spirit in the National Capital
Region, through two
lenses – one, the Seven Wonders of Canada and the Indigenous
Spirit underlying them, as reflected in the
work and passions of William Commanda, and two, the Indigenous
Prophecy Only After É :
Only after the last tree is cut,
Only after the last river is
poisoned,
Only the last fish has been
caught,
Only then you will know that your money cannot be eaten!
Yes, it was a ŅpoliticalÓ party,
to draw attention to the very serious work that Elder Dr. William Commanda has
been engaged in all his life, that constitutes a significant portion of the
legacy he leaves the world. Yes,
though he does not hold a formal job, has no staff or organization, is not
funded, has no communications or marketing team, and is largely invisible, he
has nonetheless managed to move many serious thinkers – and now we want
his ideas to reach further – many now believe our collective future is
dependent on this.
So, with respect to the Seven
Wonders of Canada, you will recall that
last year, CBC hosted the contest where Canadians voted for their favourite
wonders and a panel of judges finalized the choices.
Well, I realized that though they
are so invisible in this country, it was actually the spirit of Indigenous
Peoples that breathed behind each of the wonders, and was reflected concretely
in the work of William Commanda, who, like the composite Indian on the 1933 US
silver buffalo nickel, holds the energy and heritage of his ancestors across
the continent of North America, but even more, reflects and includes all of us -
as Valerie Pouyanne from France expressed it in his birthday book of 2003, everybodyÕs
family merges as one in William. Well, I thought, once everyone realizes this, they
will not want Indigenous Peoples to be invisible; they will want them to occupy
their rightful place! Surely that
must be the penultimate wonder of Canada!
So we developed poster boards
to illustrate our thoughts about the Seven Wonders. We share some of our key points here.
1. First of course was Canoe.
2. Next, we reflected on the Spirit of the North, and the Wisdom of the Older Sibling.
3. Next, History: Quebec City and before – Ancient
History
4. Then, Parks and the Boreal Forest
At this juncture, we made the
statement that We are living in times of prophecy!
Many of you will have heard
William recount the ŅOnly AfterÓ Indigenous prophecy repeatedly over the years:
The then is now!
It is of crucial and urgent
importance that we reassess our priorities collectively.
5. Next, Water Falls and
the Spirit of Water
6. Then, Pier 21 and the celebration of Multiculturalism
– and William CommandaÕs Circle of All Nations – Culture of
Peace
The Circle of All Nations - A global eco community unified by values of
Focused on advancing
7. Finally, we showcased the vision for Asinabka –
the Sacred Chaudire Site to commemorate the Indigenous Spirit behind the Seven
Wonders of Canada, comprising:
*The Indigenous Centre on
Victoria Island – WilliamÕs rightful place. How can Canada hold together without the ŅCentreÓ? We see today how the world is falling
apart at the seams. Let us not
loose the voice and wisdom of all the Indigenous Peoples.
*Peace Building – William
continues to express a unique version of the hand of friendship and
reconciliation that his ancestors first offered. Are we ready to awaken to its power? Our other choices are breaking hearts
everywhere.
*An Eco City Park – A think
tank to advance environmental stewardship and respect for Mother Earth and the
Sacred Waterfall.
*A Historic Park to show case
CanadaÕs ancient and modern history, and to reflect and celebrate a Circle
of All Nations.
And, I am not wrong about this
– on New YearsÕ Day, the media pundits on CFRA – where William
keeps track of a certain pulse of the nation – noted that the high
water mark in Prime Minister HarperÕs year was the June 11 Apology to
Aboriginal Peoples!
Appendix 2
The bilingual brochure
on the vision for the Sacred Chaudire Site
(see www.asinabka.org)
Appendix 3
Asinabka
National Aboriginal Centre
The vision for the
Sacred Chaudire Site
http://web.mac.com/circleofallnations
William CommandaÕs Presentation to National Capital
Commission Board of Directors, National Capital Region, Ottawa
April 3, 2008
„Billions of years
ago, the most ancient rocks on the earth emerged in this area
„5,000 years ago,
and likely earlier, this was a place of meeting and cultural exchange for
Indigenous Peoples across North America, evidenced in copper and turquoise
artifacts
„400 years ago,
Samuel de Champlain witnessed the ancestors of the Algonquin Nation conducting
tobacco ceremonies here, identifying the area as a special sacred site
„In the 1800s,
Philomen Wright moved into the area, and over the next two centuries, it became
a PandoraÕs Box for industrial development: logging, pulp and paper, hydro
dams, invention, etc.; i.e. progress and peril
„The capital city
was established, bridging the worlds of Upper and Lower Canada, Quebec and
Ontario, and the French and the English
„The Indigenous
presence diminished, the area lost its pristine character, and today it is a
heavily contaminated industrial wasteland
„Over time, people
from all over the world gravitated towards this heartland, and their presence
is felt in its cultural and heritage buildings, activities and commemorations
„Many believe
Aboriginal Peoples must also take their place in what remains a sacred site
within the unsurrendered, unceded and unconquered Algonquin territory that the
capital city sits upon; and they must reignite their ceremonies and traditions
respectful of Mother Earth and All Our Relations
„40 years ago,
Aboriginal Peoples from across the country resumed gathering and holding
spiritual ceremonies in the area
„As the country
becomes aware of their history and present day struggles, few will deny that
Aboriginal Peoples are the least privileged and most oppressed in the lands of
their ancestors, where all the world is now finding opportunity and hope
„In the past year alone,
we have witnessed the national End First Nations Poverty campaign, and seen the Truth and
Reconciliation Project initiated to address
the devastating aftermath of the Residential School abuses
„Young Canadians of
conscience are exposing painful injustices and historic legacies in
documentaries like Unrepentant (K.
Annett) and Les Peoples Invisibles (R. Desjardins)
„Since 1998, Elder
William Commanda has consulted with the NCC, world renowned Indigenous
Architect Douglas Cardinal, Algonquin communities in Ontario and Quebec, and
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples to develop a comprehensive vision for the
sacred site, and support is extensive
„Who is Elder
William Commanda? And why is the heritage he represents important to us?
„He is the 94 year
old Elder of this territory
„He is Keeper of
Sacred Wampum Belts of historic importance
„He has shared the
message of the 1700s Three Figure Sharing Belt with the QueenÕs representative
„He is the Founder
of the Circle of All Nations, and much
honoured for promoting Indigenous wisdom, environmental stewardship, and racial
harmony and peace-building internationally
„In 2005, the
University of Ottawa presented him with an Honorary Doctorate Degree
„In 2006 he
received the Key to the City of Ottawa, significant for someone from Quebec
„He is widely
travelled, internationally known
as a canoe builder and craftsman, an influential Elder, a statesman emeritus: a
wise, holy man beloved to many across the world
„Over the past
decade, Elder Commanda has developed and promoted the Indigenous vision for Asinabka tirelessly, entirely at his own expense
„It is a fully
inclusive vision to revitalize and honour the true jewel in the heart of the
NationÕs crown, consistent with dreams of many others over the years
„It celebrates the ancient
and recent history of the area, promotes peace, environmental stewardship, and
Indigenous heritage
„The vision for Asinabka offers a unique, positive way to heal the pains of
the past and shine a torch into the future
„It is a vision for
healing relationships amongst and with Aboriginal Peoples, and with Mother
Earth
„It is a vision for
reclaiming, honouring and profiling the unique culture, heritage and values of
Aboriginal Peoples, recognizing their crucial importance to CanadaÕs future
„The National
Capital Commission (NCC) as protector of our national heritage can play a
positive leadership role to create the manifestation of a relationship of hope
and reconciliation with Aboriginal Peoples
„This will benefit
the entire nation, as Aboriginal Peoples remain the glue to bind a fragile
democracy and culture together
„Such a gesture
will also only strengthen and enhance CanadaÕs reputation internationally
„In the 1970s, then
NCC Chairman Jean Pigott acknowledged Victoria Island as the site for a National
Aboriginal Centre
„In the 1990s,
Indigenous Architect Douglas Cardinal developed conceptual plans for the centre
for the NCC
„In 2004, further
to the ElderÕs direct request, Canadian Heritage advanced funds to develop the
proposal and architectural plans for the Aboriginal Centre on Victoria Island
„In August 2006,
at the annual Circle of All Nations
International Gathering, NCC Chairman Marcel Beaudry affirmed that:
–NCC had
been working a long time, perhaps 15 years, but intensely over the last 7, for Aboriginals
to be recognized once and for all in the National Capital Region
–In
Ontario, English culture predominates, and in Quebec, French, but NCC felt the
Aboriginals did not have a place, and noted its role to facilitate this
–NCC
wanted to recognize Aboriginals by building a centre of national stature
–NCC noted
the area is sacred to Aboriginals
–Aboriginals
themselves should decide what should take place there: healing, spirituality,
education etc
–The
Federal Government would invest $100 million dollars on the building (our note:
includes remedial environmental work), and $11 million a year on programs and
services
–Two
Foundations would be established to implement the project: one to oversee
construction and maintenance with 50% Federal and 50% Aboriginal control; the
other under Aboriginal management for programs and services
–NCC noted
that Aboriginals were here much earlier than the French and English, and moving
forward on this project would finally see all three founding nations
represented in the capital city
–NCC also
acknowledged Elder CommandaÕs respected status across the country amongst
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples; and Douglas CardinalÕs unique
architectural vision, and long term commitment to the project
–(The
sentiments expressed BY THE NCC are consistent with the Three Figure Sharing
Wampum Belt, with Aboriginals Peoples assuming their rightful position and
share within the capital - our note)
„This national
centre will celebrate all Aboriginal Peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Metis from across the country, and
its eco-tourism value is great
„It will serve as
the think tank to reclaim, revitalize and protect Indigenous languages, culture
and heritage, contribute to healing the scars of the past, and transforming the
future
„It will showcase
and celebrate the values, artistic and cultural heritage, music, pow wow dance,
spirit and food of Aboriginal Peoples
„A revitalized and
strong Aboriginal Peoples will share their culture and heritage with others in
the spirit of peace-building
„The ancient values
of Respect for Mother Earth and All Our Relations will be reinstated, and serve and support all Canadians
„This legacy of
forgiveness and reconciliation will strengthen the nationÕs self-respect and
honour and heal differences
We will celebrate
together a
A Circle of All
Nations
A Culture of
Peace
CanadaÕs Gift to
the World
„On 4 June 1613,
Aboriginal Peoples prayed as Samuel de Champlain passed the Sacred Site
„Today, we urge
the NCC Board to
–Review
its 2006 commitment to the materialization of the National Aboriginal Centre
–Make an
announcement on June 21, 2008, National Aboriginal Day, to commence with
implementation plans for a grand opening of the centre on the 2013 four hundred
year anniversary of the birthing of the country
Circle of All Nations
Home: 231 Pitobig Mikan
Maniwaki, Quebec, J9E 3B1
Mail: c/o 506 Stratas Court
Kanata, Ontario
K2L 3K7
May 8, 2009
Her
Majesty The Queen
Buckingham
Palace
London
SW1A 1AA
An Urgent Message from 95
year old Algonquin Elder William Commanda to Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth
11
Dear Majesty,
May I present my greetings?
In 1953, upon your coronation, I received a royal certificate and medal, intimating an invisible yet tangible direct connection to you; I was forty years old at the time, and I was serving my community as chief appointed by acclamation.
Now, I am being honoured in Canada by appointment as Officer of the Order of Canada. With this recognition bestowed upon me by your official representative in my homeland, the Governor General of Canada, I am drawn again to the periphery of your circle, and now I come to you, fifty six years later, with a special mission.
I am now almost ninety six years old. It has not been easy to witness the great struggles of my grandparents and parents and the continued pain and oppression of my people throughout the continent of North America, over this century of unprecedented global change. Believing, as we Indigenous Peoples do, that we belong to Mother Earth, the repercussions of the wanton abuse of our lands, waters and natural resources have overflowed into our already traumatized lives. Like Mother Earth, we too are experiencing extreme stress.
In 1982, Canada repatriated the constitution and specific provisions regarding Indigenous Peoples were incorporated within its charter of responsibilities. These remain unfulfilled. Today, Canada stands alone as one of the few nations that has refused to sign the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
A few are beginning to realize that the salvation of Mother Earth is inextricably linked with the survival of Indigenous Peoples, and that our prayer and ancient wisdom is essential to global healing – a few, but not yet many.
The fundamental prayer of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, Ginawaydaganuc, contains in its essence the profound understanding that we are all inter-related –as members of the great human family, and with all that the chief elements, Fire, Earth, Water and Air provide to sustain us; biodiversity in all its forms is the fundamental principle of life.
Over the years, I have pondered the power of England over the Globe, and while I daily mourn the demise of my language, I note that today, the English language is used across the world – there must be some reason for this, beyond what has been undertaken in its name by its use and manipulation to date. Today, the world is drawn together by unprecedented environmental crisis, war and the collapse of financial and social regimes that governed life over the past five hundred years. New ideas are needed now, to be communicated to and understood by all, because we now realize we are a global community.
But maybe we need to return to old values. Recently, I was heartened by your words acclaiming the meeting of civilizations when your first ancestors met mine in this New World. This world and beyond is now fast becoming the Paradise Lost. I believe Indigenous Peoples, though so invisible on the world stage, have something of crucial importance to offer to the world, and it is of urgent importance for this message to be really heard and understood now. I believe that your voice is needed now to facilitate this.
Over the past decade, I have worked constantly to develop and advance an integrated vision for the healing of Indigenous Peoples, relationships with others, and our collective relationship with Mother Earth, at the Ancient Sacred Site at the Chaudires Falls in the capital city of Canada, across from the place that your own ancestor, Queen Victoria, chose for the Parliament Buildings. It is no accident that Winston Churchill, carrying that drop of Indigenous blood (Anne Pennington Mayer, who served you on during a visit to Canada, tells me that his daughter (corr July 4, 2009) Mary Churchill noted recently that she was one Ōthirty two-thÕ Red Indian) delivered his December 30, 1941 (corr. July 4, 2009) speech to the world from this place. For six thousand years, this place was the meeting place of the ancient peoples. But over the past few hundreds Indigenous Peoples have been moved away from it, and it has become a contaminated and desecrated wasteland. I am told that it is not clear who owns various portions of this tiny space of modified islands and water. I do not believe we have any right to buy or sell Mother Earth; this area remains unceded, unsurrendered and unconquered Algonquin Territory, and the place remains precious to us.
You will understand this, as
perhaps the original Lords of Trade might have. I am told that in recent times the United States wanted to
buy the land its Embassy sits upon in England and it was reminded of the sway
of the law of the multi year lease and of the accompanying bankruptcy
provisions. In 1532, Franciscus di Vittoria, acclaimed as Founder of Modern
International Law, asserted to the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire that the
Indians were the true owners of the land, holding it in honour of the Creator,
and that the pearls of the sea belonged to them. This is where the notion
of Aboriginal Rights has its roots in North America. This is the zone of the Honour of the Crown. Treaties were not negotiated in good faith over
much of this country, and here,
the traditional territory of my ancestors remains unceded, unsurrendered and
unconquered land. Some, like me, have deep reservations about laws, and
regulations and amendments, often seeing these as tools that have given others
unjustified rights over our lands and resources. When my ancestors first met Philomen Wright, the first white
settler, at the Sacred Chaudire Site on the Ottawa River in 1800, and asked by
what right he cut down the trees and took the land, the stranger drew a paper
from his pocket and read ŅThe Indians have consented to relinquish
all claim to the land, in compensation for which they receive annual grants
from the Government, which shall be withheld if they molest settlers.Ó This
paper, my ancestors saw as a big Ņloup garouÓ, an indescribable monster supposed to have
supernatural powers, and in my own lifetime, I have experienced the deep fear
this reference brings to native peoples. Such are the roots in the struggle for
land.
I am told that at the present time, Domtar Inc. holds the lease in perpetuity to the Sacred Chaudire Island for $100 a year – others have claimed this stranglehold control over the sacred site over the past century – a site that was the ŅcommonsÓ to us. Domtar is a paper company that became rich by clear cutting the timber in my traditional territory, but it is now obliged by the Laws of Nature to disengage from this activity; it now wishes to exploit and commodify another sacred natural resource, Water, provided by the Great Mystery for the use of all.
I believe a symbolic gesture to signify transformation of this relationship with Mother Earth is of crucial importance.
Over the past four decades, Indigenous Peoples have begun returning to the Sacred Site. And we have developed a vision which restores our relationship with the sacred area, and constitutes a symbolic statement of reconciliation with Mother Earth. It is also a vision for the healing of Indigenous Peoples; in this age of information sharing, and awareness of our collective histories and our present day reality of oppression, who could deny we deserve no less? Moreover, others need to be forgiven by us in order to break the energy of the cycle of abuse and shame, and we know that. We have had to carry a great burden for the world and our sacred prophecies tell us that it is now time for transformation. Thus our vision is for a place of reconciliation and reconnection with all others.
The core elements of our vision
include an Indigenous Centre on Victoria Island, a Peace Building complex, an
Eco City Park and Think Tank on the Environment, and a Historic Park. It is
the Indigenous vision for hope, reconciliation, integration and inclusion, with
potentially huge national and international relevance.
Ten years ago I shared this vision with the former Governor General of Canada, thereafter with a range of Canadian Ministers, and now I have returned to report on my efforts to Her Excellency, the new Governor General. I am attaching a copy of my correspondence to her for further clarification and elaboration on this effort.
Yes, I have a vision for the Sacred Chaudires Site, a vision to commence the healing of half a millennia of oppression and injustice inflicted on the people of the Americas – a vision to shine a beacon of hope and visibility for my people, to consecrate the relationship with Mother Earth, and ignite peace and reconciliation with all others. This is the dream my ancestors dreamed, and one that I have carried as keeper of the ancient Sacred Record Keeping Wampum Belts. It has not been a light responsibility. It is time to share it.
Today, I am almost ninety six, and suddenly, I find myself in a hospital bed. I know it is time to deliver this mission and vision to you, the one who carries the Honour of the Crown on your shoulders.
Please accept my appreciation of your tremendous courage and global leadership in a century of such change, and my best wishes for your continued good health.
Sincerely,
William Commanda, Hon.
Phd., O.C
Algonquin Elder
Founder, Circle of All
Nations
circleofallnations@sympatico.ca
www.circleofallnations.ca (General
Information)
www.asinabka.com
(Indigenous Centre Information)
http://web.mac.com/circleofallnations (Elder CommandaÕs Recent Activities)
4 files included
PS ELDER COMMANDAÕS Prayer for the May 15, 2009 Investiture Ceremony
is now pasted below – June 4, 2009 update:
Kwey Kwey:
My
greetings to Your Excellencies, and Honoured Guests:
I send my
deep regrets that I am not able to be with you all on this special occasion.
At ninety five, your body does not always allow you do all the things you
might wish.
When I look
back at history over the years, I continue to be inspired by those who have
contributed to strengthening respect for Mother Earth, promoting harmony
amongst peoples and nations, and building a strong social safety net for all.
These were the fundamental values of my ancestors, and I bring their
dreams for a better world for all to this prayer at the May 2009 Order
of Canada Investiture Ceremony. I am glad to be the
face of the First Peoples amongst so many who serve society with passion and
commitment. I offer my congratulations to them and wish them well in the
effort to secure a better future for all. Our ancestral prophecies
foretold the day when the all the peoples of the world would unite in Turtle
Island to create such a world, and on a day like today, despite the darkness
that surrounds us, I feel the strength of their conviction that a better world
will emerge with the efforts of individuals. Megwetch to you all for this
hope. Merci. Ginawaydaganuc - We
Are All Connected. William Commanda
Kwey Kwey
Mes salutations
vos Excellences et Invits d'Honneurs;
C'est
avec un profond regret que je vous fais part de mon incapacit me joindre
vous pour cette occasion spciale. Ė 95 ans, notre corps ne nous permet pas
toujours de faire ce que nous souhaiterions.
Lorsque
je regarde l'histoire au cours des annes, je continue tre inspir par ceux
qui ont contribu accrotre le respect pour notre Mre Terre, promouvoir
l'harmonie entre les personnes et les nations et construire une scurit
sociale forte pour tous. Ces valeurs fondamentales taient celles de mes
Anctres, et j'apporte leur rve pour un monde meilleur pour tous cette
prire pour la Crmonie d'Investiture de l'Ordre du Canada de mai 2009. Je
suis heureux d'tre le visage du peuple des Premires Nations parmi tant de
gens qui servent la socit avec passion et engagement. Je leur offre mes
flicitations et leur souhaite du succs dans leurs efforts pour construire un
meilleur futur pour tous. Nos prophties ancestrales ont prdit le jour o les
peuples de la Terre s'uniraient sur l'ėle de la Tortue pour crer un tel monde
et, par une journe telle que celle-ci, malgr la noirceur qui nous entoure, je
ressens la force de leur conviction qu'un monde meilleur mergera par l'effort
que font des individus.
Megwetch tous pour
cet espoir. Merci. Ginawaydaganuc. Nous sommes tous inter-relis.