We can’t expect the legacy media, hacked by the Trudeau government, to objectively cover this issue. Will Canadians push back?”

BY PAUL JUNOR

There has been focus on Indigenous claims to lands that First Nation people have occupied on Turtle Land long before: colonization, imperialism, and settler colonialism. Canadians and education stakeholders are not aware that properties that the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) occupies are on un-ceded and un-surrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation.

OCDSB issued a statement that provides clarification; “Canada’s Constitution, un-ceded territory means the Aboriginal Title to the area has not been surrendered by an Indigenous nation or acquired by the Crown.” This simply means, “The Algonquin Anishinaabeg remain stewards of the land.”

It should be noted that the Supreme Court of Canada, the highest court in the land, has not agreed to this claim and challenged it.

The OCDSB posted on its website: https://www.ocdsb.ca/cms/one.aspx information regarding,” Treaties Recognition Week” on February 10^th, 2022, which provides an opportunity for everyone in Ontario to learn more about and recognize the importance of treaty rights and relationships. Information was revealed that in Ontario there are currently 46 treaties in place and they are legally binding agreements that set out the: rights, responsibilities, and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments. It notes further that understanding the importance of treaties is essential to reminding all Canadians that we are all treaty people. “Furthermore, as living documents we should be aware of them and ensure that they are upheld.

The fact that OCDSB’s schools and administrative buildings are on un-ceded and un-surrendered territory means in the Ottawa area where we live and attend school, the Crown does not hold title to the land and there is no cession treaty. It is important to highlight this information because the federal government is currently in the process of ensuring that Indigenous rights are acknowledged as are supported by the United Nations. In a mandate letter to Jean-Yves Duclos, Health Minister of Canada from Justin Trudeau states, “I am directing every MInister to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to advance.”

There is information presented from the Prime Minister’s office, which aims to ensure that the UN’s principles are adopted and there is open transparency. It notes further,

“The UNI document essentially pushes to have Indigenous lands and rights restored to their owners. White people are colonizers.” There is a question posed, “So, will Canadians be forced to pay more taxes, lose their land rights and freedoms?” The answer to this depends on several factors.

There is a realization in Canada that while losing one’s property may be painful, it will require an enormous financial contribution to ensure that there is equitable compensation. In fact, the federal government has agreed to pay $2.8 billion in settlement to residential communities as announced last week. There were expectations that the federal government would provide $40 billion in compensation. A further question posed is, “How much will this cultural genocide and land dispossession cost Canadian taxpayers today and to future generations who are guilty of a crime before they are born?”

There is no clear answer to this question. The article notes, ”Nobody really knows least of all those attending and teaching at the OCDSB. We can’t expect the legacy media, hacked by the Trudeau government, to objectively cover this issue. Will Canadians push back?”