September 26, 2005 Source: Nipissing University:
http://www.nipissingu.ca/news/view.asp?ID=27 Nipissing and Canadore commemorate 100th anniversary of Treaty No. 9 North Bay, ON, September 23, 2005 — Nipissing University's Aboriginal Services and Canadore College's Aboriginal Learning Unit are hosting a special event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Treaty Number Nine (also known as the James Bay Treaty) on Monday September 26, 2005, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in the Nipissing University Theatre (F213). The event is entitled, A Commemoration of Treaty No. 9: "For As Long as the Rivers Flow." Dr. John Long, a professor at Nipissing University who has studied the treaty, will give a presentation entitled "They accepted the terms as stated: How the Commissioners Explained Treaty No. 9 to the Cree in 1905." A special guest speaker, Grand Chief Stan Louttit of the Mushkegowuk Council, will bring greetings from the Mushkegowuk First Nations, talk about the impact of Treaty No. 9 over the past 100 years and share his thoughts on the future. Laurie McLaren, Aboriginal Programs and Services Administrator, Nipissing University and Laura Kerr, Director of Canadore College's Aboriginal Learning Unit agree that "It is important to observe this historical event. The presentation by Dr. John Long will provide an historical overview and special guest speaker Grand Chief Stan Louttit's first hand account will help the participants to understand the impact that Treat 9 has had on the Cree way of life. We welcome members of the Education Centre and the greater community of North Bay to join us for this commemorative event". "It's important for people to understand just what the First Nations agreed to when they signed Treaty No. 9," said Long. "The records kept by the Treaty Commissioners themselves show that the northern Ojibway and Cree were given gifts and promised assistance and protection in return for signing a piece of parchment. At no point were they told that they were surrendering their land and their rights – in fact, they were told that they could pretty much carry on as usual. They accepted the Commissioners' oral explanations of the treaty, given to them by various interpreters, not the words written on paper in English." All are welcome and admission is free. Light refreshments will be served prior to the presentation.
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