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Tlicho reflect on legacy of Treaty 11 during 100-year celebrations

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2 years ago

August 20, 2022

BEHCHOKǪ̀, N.W.T. — As some communities in the Northwest Territories gather to celebrate 100 years since Treaty 11 was signed, many Indigenous people are reflecting on what the historic agreement means today.

The last of the numbered treaties between the Canadian government and Indigenous people, Treaty 11 travelled by river to nine signatory communities in 1921 and 1922. The document, which covers 950,000 square kilometres of what is now Yukon, the Northwest Terriroties and Nunavut, affects several Dehcho, Tlicho, Sahtu and Gwich’in communities.

Indigenous chiefs signed what they believed at the time was a treaty of peace and friendship on the understanding their rights to trap, hunt and fish on their traditional territory would be protected. The Canadian government, meanwhile, wanted to gain control of the land to pursue mineral and oil-and-gas exploration.

“The original treaty that was done in 1921 was for the best interest of the Dominion, so that they can have access to the natural and non-renewable resources for the greater society,” said John Zoe, a senior adviser to the Tlicho government who was chief negotiator when the Tlicho Agreement was ratified in 2005. It was the first combined comprehensive land claim and self-government agreement in the N.W.T.

Zoe said the Canadian government had already written Treaty 11 before heading north and Indigenous people were subsequently excluded from the growth of Canada.

When the treaty reached Behchoko, then known as Fort Rae, in the summer of 1921, many Tlicho people were wary as the promises made to them and the Denesuline who had signed Treaty 8 in Fort Resolution in 1900 had not been kept.

Following several days of negotiations, Chief Monfwi signed Treaty 11 on behalf of the Tlicho people on Aug. 22, 1921.

Today, the Tlicho region includes the communities of Behchoko, Whati, Gameti and Wekweeti.

Whati Chief Alfonz Nitsiza said Chief Monfwi was “very forceful” in ensuring Tlicho rights to harvest would not be restricted and he outlined their traditional territory on a map.

“We always over the years maintained that this is our homeland, this is our rights to harvest,” he said.

The Tlicho government now owns 39,000 square kilometres of land between Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake, including surface and subsurface rights.

At the time of signing Treaty 11, Chief Monfwi declared that “as long as the sun rises, the river flows and the land does not move, we will not be restricted from our way of life.”

Zoe said those words have been kept alive and helped to guide the modern Tlicho self-government agreement.

“We now have the ability to strengthen our relationship to our own lands, to our language, our cultural way of life of doing land-based activities — things that we should have been doing for a long time,” he said.

Former Dene national chief Norman Yak’eula’s grandfather, Chief Albert Wright, signed Treaty 11 in Fort Norman, now Tulita, on July 15, 1921. He said it wasn’t until the 1960s that Dene people saw the final wording of the treaty for the first time, and it wasn’t what they had agreed to.

“That’s where we got to see what kind of people the government were,” he said.

“We were dealing with not-so-honourable people of the federal government and churches. They had their agenda, they knew what they wanted, they knew the value of our land.”

Yak’eula said his grandfather was made chief by the government.

Decades after Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 were signed, many Indigenous people in the North challenged the fairness of the treaties and asserted their rights.

Tlicho gathered in Behchoko in 1968 and agreed to refuse to accept treaty payments.

A legal challenge of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline from more than a dozen Dene chiefs in the early 1970s, known as the Paulette case or Paulette caveat, saw the Supreme Court of Canada uphold findings that they had not relinquished their rights when they signed the treaties. The case helped lead to the negotiation of comprehensive land claim agreements.

Several communities marked the Treaty 11 centenary last summer with feasts, dancing, drumming, games and other traditional activities. Others such as Nahanni Butte and Behchoko waited to host festivities until this summer while Fort Liard has postponed celebrations until 2023.

Zoe said while treaty making is serious, there is also a need to celebrate.

“It’s about the spirit and the intent of the treaty that we must celebrate,” he said. “At the same time, we need to celebrate the agreement that we have with Canada to say that we’re finally recognized as having always been there.”

Yak’eula, who was the chief negotiator for the Sahtu Dene and Métis land claim and Tulita self-government agreement, said the treaty recognizes that the Dene are a nation.

“It means that we are a nation with a set of values, principles and our own way of life,” he said. “The second-most powerful treaties that we have are the comprehensive land claim agreements followed by self-government agreements.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2022.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

Emily Blake, The Canadian Press

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With grief lingering, Blue Jackets GM Waddell places focus on hockey in wake of Gaudreau’s death

Published

1 hour ago

September 16, 2024

Anne Joseph

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Hearing the familiar sounds of clacking sticks and pucks banging off the boards and glass while watching Columbus Blue Jackets prospects from the stands of a cold rink on a warm late-summer afternoon was not enough to wash away the lingering residuals of grief for Don Waddell on Saturday.

That, the Blue Jackets’ general manager acknowledged, will take more time than anyone can guess — weeks, months, perhaps an entire season and beyond.

What mattered is how spending the weekend attending the Sabres Prospects Challenge represented a start to what Waddell called among the first steps in refocusing on hockey and the future in the aftermath of the deaths of Columbus star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles on Aug 29.

“We got to play hockey,” Waddell said. “We’re not going to forget about Johnny and his family, the Gaudreau family.”

He then reflected on the speech Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, made during the brothers’ funeral on Monday, by urging those in mourning to move forward as she will while focusing on raising their children.

“Everybody knows that Johnny wants them to play hockey,” Waddell said. “And everybody’s rallying around that.”

The resumption of hockey in Columbus began last week, when most Blue Jackets players returned to their facility to be together and lean on each other at the urging of Waddell and team captain Boone Jenner. And it will continue on Thursday, when the team opens training camp, exactly three weeks since the Gaudreaus were killed.

“Tragic. Senseless. But now we got to focus on trying to get our team ready to play hockey this year,” Waddell said. “We all mourn and heal differently, but I think as a team being together like that is going to be critical for them to get moving forward.”

Tragedy is no stranger to Waddell or the Blue Jackets.

Waddell was general manager of the then-Atlanta Thrashers in 2003 when Dany Heatley lost control of his car and struck a wall, with the crash killing passenger and teammate Dan Snyder. In 2021, Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks died during a July Fourth fireworks accident.

Waddell placed the emphasis on himself and coach Dean Evason — both newcomers to Columbus this offseason — to guide the team through what will be an emotional season.

“Now, do I think there’s going to be some dark days? I won’t be surprised,” Waddell said.

Reminders of the Gaudreaus’ deaths remain apparent, and reflected in Buffalo on Friday night. A moment of silence was held in tribute to the brothers before the opening faceoff of a game between the Blue Jackets and Sabres.

Afterward, Columbus prospect Gavin Brindley recalled the times he spent with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus and as teammates representing the United States at the world hockey championships in the Czech Republic in May.

“He was one of the biggest mentors for me at the world championships,” Brindley said. “I couldn’t tell you how many times we hung out with Meredith, pictures on my phone. It’s just so hard to look back and see that kind of stuff.”

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association are providing the Blue Jackets help in the form of grief counseling, crowd security at vigils and addressing hockey issues, such as potentially altering the league’s salary cap rules to provide Columbus relief from having to reach the NHL minimum payroll because of the void left by Gaudreau’s contract.

“The Blue Jackets, I don’t think anybody’s focused from an organizational standpoint, from a hockey standpoint as to what comes next, because I think everybody’s still in shock,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told The Associated Press last week. “I don’t think anybody’s focused right now other than on the grieving part, which is understandable.”

Much of the burden has fallen to Waddell, who has been in discussions with the NHL and the NHLPA and dealing with outreach programs with the Blue Jackets’ partner OhioHealth, while also overseeing preparations for training camp and gauging his prospects in Buffalo.

There’s also his roster to attend to, which he said has two openings at forward, one involving Justin Danforth, who may miss the start of the season because of a wrist injury. Waddell didn’t have to mention the second opening.

Tiring and emotional as it’s been, Waddell found comfort being in his element, a rink, and looking ahead to the start of training camp.

“The guys are in really good shape. We’ve done a lot of testing already and they’re eager to get going,” Waddell said. “We have a reason to play for. And we’ll make the best of it.”

The Blue Jackets later Sunday signed veteran winger James van Riemsdyk to a one-year contract worth $900,000.

“James van Riemsdyk has been a very consistent, productive player throughout his career,” Waddell said. “Bringing him to Columbus will not only provide depth to our group up front, but also valuable leadership and another veteran presence in our dressing room.”

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AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno in New York contributed to this report.

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PSG says defender Nuno Mendes target of racial abuse after a French league game

Published

1 hour ago

September 16, 2024

Anne Joseph

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes was the target of abusive and racist comments on social media after a French league game.

The club condemned the abuse and expressed its “full support” Sunday for the Portugal left back, who was targeted following PSG’s 3-1 win against Brest on Saturday.

Mendes, who is Black, shared on his Instagram account a racist message he received.

During the match, Mendes brought down Ludovic Ajorque in the box for a penalty that Romain Del Castillo converted to give Brest the lead.

“Paris Saint-Germain doesn’t tolerate racism, antisemitism or any other form of discrimination,” the club said. “The racial insults directed at Nuno Mendes are totally unacceptable … we are working with the relevant authorities and associations to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”

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Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar wins Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal

Published

1 hour ago

September 16, 2024

Anne Joseph

MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Canada’s Michael Woods called it a race for second.

Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedalled to a resounding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.

The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Spain’s Pello Bilbao of Bahrain — Victorious to win the demanding 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.

“He’s the greatest rider of all time, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your very, very best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.

“He’s at such a different level that if you follow him, it can be lights out.”

Pogacar slowed down before the last turn to celebrate with the crowd, high-five fans on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.

The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also redeemed a seventh-place finish at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.

“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” Pogacar said. “To bounce back after seventh to victory here, it’s just an incredible feeling.”

It’s Pogacar’s latest win in a dominant year that includes victories at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.

Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career-best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but hoped for more after claiming a stage at the Spanish Vuelta two weeks ago.

“I wanted a better result,” the 37-year-old rider said. “My goal was a podium, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt like I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt like I was up there.”

Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near downtown in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.

He made his move with 23.3 kilometres to go, leaving the peloton in his dust as he pedalled into the lead — one he never relinquished.

Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao ultimately separating himself from the pack. But he never came close to catching Pogacar, who built a 35-second lead with one lap left to go.

“It was still a really hard race today, but the team was on point,” Pogacar said. “We did really how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We make it hard in the last final laps, and they set me up for a (takeover) two laps to go, and it was all perfect.”

Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, and called it a “hard day” in the heat.

“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line that it’s just going to be full gas,” Gee said.

Israel Premier-Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.

Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.

“I said then, well, clearly it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling isn’t that complicated.”

Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for a record third time on Friday, but did not finish in Montreal. The two races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.

Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing pace with 45 kilometres to go.

Only 89 of 169 riders from 24 teams — including the Canadian national team — completed the gruelling race that features 4,573 metres in total altitude.

Next up, the riders will head to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland from Sept. 21 to 29.

Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season — known as the Triple Crown.

“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” Pogacar said. “I think we are ready for world championships.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2024.

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