Celebrating Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, highlighted on June 21st with . This year holds particular significance for Maritimers, as we mark the .
Federal ministers, Lieutenant Governors from the three Maritime provinces, Mi鈥檏maq Grand Council members from Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, as well as Mi鈥檏maq Chiefs, Band Councils, leaders, and Elders marked the anniversary on June 4th. They gathered in Annapolis Royal鈥攖he site of the treaty鈥檚 ratification in 1726鈥攆or a landmark commemoration.
The profound significance of this chain of treaties lies in the fact that they were rooted in nation-to-nation relations and were never about the surrender of land. They were a mutual recognition that each party鈥檚 culture, identity, and governance was equally valid 鈥� and that this land was to be shared in partnership.
The relationship enshrined in these agreements is not solely between the Crown and the Mi鈥檏maq 鈥� at their core, the treaties call upon all of us to be good neighbours. For the Mi鈥檏maq, Wolastokokewiyik, and Peskotomohkatewey, these treaties are how we guide our relations with other parties on these lands, including our relationships between each of our respective Indigenous nations.
The Peace and Friendship Treaties include the phrase 鈥渙ur heirs and our heirs forever,鈥� a testament to their enduring relevance. As Lindsay Marshall, a direct descendant of one of the 1725鈥�26 signatories, has said, 鈥渨e are living the treaty.鈥� Their obligations are as binding today as they were at the time of signing. These obligations extend to all of us: to honour one another鈥檚 differences, to look out for one another, and to protect the lands we collectively call home.
For everyone, the greatest knowledge we want all peoples of these lands to learn is that Indigenous History Month is as much about your history as it is ours. We encourage you to learn about the treaties and to reflect on how you are fulfilling your own treaty obligations 鈥� because we are all treaty people.
To learn more about June 4th and the treaties see .