Events planned for treaty centennial

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) has officially begun the final summer of its two-year commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of James Bay Treaty 9.

The James Bay Treaty 9 area takes in two-thirds of the province of Ontario and is home to about 45,000 First Nations people living on-reserve. Last year, each of the seven First Nations that signed the treaty in 1905 hosted events to mark the anniversary. This year, the eight communities that signed in 1906 will do the same.

This year's commemoration began on June 7 on Wahgoshig (Abitibi) First Nation. The second event of the summer took place on Matachewan First Nation on June 17.

Mattagami First Nation is scheduled to hold an event to mark the treaty-signing anniversary on July 7. Events are also planned on Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation on July 21, Chapleau Cree First Nation on July 22 and Brunswick House First Nation on July 25.

The main commemoration will take place on Ginoogaming (Long Lake) First Nation on Aug. 9, with local, regional and national dignitaries, provincial and federal government officials and Aboriginal leaders expected to attend. Ginoogaming was the last First Nation to sign James Bay Treaty 9 in 1906.

The focus of the commemorative events has been both to reflect on the past 100 years and to look to the future, working to build relationships and find ways to improve the lives of people living in NAN's 49 First Nation communities.

For more information on plans for the treaty centennial visit the NAN Web site at www.nan.on.ca