In the UIC Council Chamber on November 2, 2023, FBM hosted leaders from the Treaty One Nation, based in Manitoba, Canada, for a discussion forum titled: “Opportunities Brought by the Largest Urban Reserved Economic Development Zone in Canada to Community, Students, and Entrepreneurs.”
Treaty One Nation leaders and FBM faculty gather in UIC’s Council Chamber
01
Introduction of Treaty One Nation
Treaty One Nation is the organizational continuation of Treaty 1 (1871), the first of a long list of treaties between First Nations groups of Canada and the Canadian Monarch, and one that ultimately proved to be ineffectual in protecting the rights and future generations of these communities. Treaty One Nation therefore consists of the five First Nations who were signatories to the initial treaty and two additional First Nations who joined later. Together, its leadership group forms the governing council and guides its collective lands across Southern Manitoba.
02
Discussion Forum
Prof. Ng introducing Treaty One Nation
Prior to the discussion forum, Prof. Adolf NG, Acting Dean of FBM welcomed Treaty One Nation to UIC with refreshments and a ceremonial plaque. At the Council Chamber, Prof. Ng introduced the group to intrigued faculty attendees, while familiarizing them with UIC and FBM in acknowledgement of the potential for future collaboration.
Prof. NG also introduced that FBM has colleagues currently collaborating with the University of Manitoba in conducting research for the benefits of the indigenous communities in northern Canada through the GENICE project.
Prof. Ng presenting a souvenir to Treaty One Nation leader, Ms. Mercer
To start, Mr. Shane LI, CFO of Treaty One Nation and adjunct professor at FBM, introduced his colleagues and described the exploration that the group had done in China over the past few days. Mr. Li mentioned the group’s goals for its visit to China: to promote Canadian indigenous culture, to create fruitful opportunities for young entrepreneurs, and to make UIC a facilitator and connector for its international strategies.
Mr. Shane Li, CFO of Treaty One Nation
Ms. Jolene Mercer, Executive Director of Treaty One Nation and member of the Peguis First Nation, then spoke more specifically about their land and its history. Following decades of arduous battles against deception, disregard, and mistreatment by the Canadian government, a successful court case finally returned 109 acres of land in or around Winnipeg, Manitoba to these First Nations communities, rendering it now the largest urban reserved economic development zone in Canada.
Ms. Jolene Mercer, Executive Director of Treaty One Nation
Next, Ms. Kathleen BlueSky, Interim CEO of Treaty One Nation and member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and Pine Creek First Nation, spoke about how the group’s land can be maximized through potential planning and financing strategies and partnerships that are available in China. Furthermore, as 99% of businesses in their communities are First Nations owned, she emphasized the need to promote entrepreneurship across other demographics, and that UIC can lend a hand in doing so with its partnership.
Ms. Kathleen BlueSky, Interim CEO of Treaty One Nation
To elaborate, Mr. Li suggested that UIC’s entrepreneurship program can incorporate its students for the mutual benefit of Treaty One Nation and youth development. Mr. Li further added that there are opportunities for indigenous research advancements that UIC may be interested in. In fact, FBM has colleagues that are currently collaborating with the University of Manitoba for such research in hopes of benefitting the indigenous communities of Northern Canada.
Mr. Evan Roberts, Board Member and Councillor of Treaty One Nation and member of the Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, offered background information on some of the struggles that the group hopes current efforts will fix. This includes a lack of economic sovereignty, social issues and restricting policies, the passing down of its land-based education, and other struggles brought on by the Indian Act of 1876 that was designed to control and assimilate indigenous peoples.
Mr. Evan Roberts, Board Member and Councillor of Treaty One Nation
Finally, Mr. Noah Wahquahboshkuk, Intergovernmental Relations Manager of Treaty One Nation and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, spoke about the group’s hopes of integrating its First Nations cultures into their communities, citing Chinese customs that are readily ingrained and visible in the daily life of its citizens as a reason for their visit to China.
Mr. Noah Wahquahboshkuk, Intergovernmental Relations Manager of Treaty One Nation
Before concluding the discussion forum, various questions were posed by intrigued audience members, including Prof. Andy LIU, Prof. Winston NG, and Prof. Adolf NG regarding topics such as potential joint entrepreneurship initiatives and indigenous education. The discussion forum concluded with a rousing round of applause for the esteemed guests, and a promising path for a future partnership between UIC and Treaty One Nation.
Treaty One Nation leaders and FBM faculty join for a group photo
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