Minister Carr unveils Parks Canada Legacy Flag Installation at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site
News Release
Flag display honours First Nations and the making of Treaty No. 1 nearly 150 years ago
August 3, 2017 St. Andrews, Manitoba Parks Canada Agency
Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, took part in the unveiling of Parks Canada’s Legacy Flag Installation at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site in St. Andrews, as part of the annual Treaty No.1 Commemoration event.
The Legacy Flag Installation features seven Treaty No. 1 First Nations flags: Peguis First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, and Swan Lake First Nation, the Canada flag and the Union Jack.
Alongside Minister Jim Carr, Loretta Ross, Commissioner of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, and representatives from each of the Treaty No. 1 First Nations raised the flags to honour the making of Treaty No. 1 at Lower Fort Garry nearly 150 years ago. The prominent nine-flag display aims to symbolize the importance of the historical agreement and the connection of the Treaty No. 1 First Nations to Lower Fort Garry to this day. The Legacy Flag Exhibit also reminds us that we are all Treaty people.
Designated as a national historic event in 1927, Treaty No. 1 was originally made at Lower Fort Garry on August 3, 1871. Originally known as the Stone Fort Treaty, it was the first of the Numbered Treaties made between Indigenous Peoples and the Crown in Western Canada.
Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that celebrates the contributions of Indigenous Peoples, their history and cultures, as well as the special relationship Indigenous Peoples have with the land. This year marks both the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the centennial of national historic sites, however the history of this land and the contributions of its people present a rich tapestry and date back far beyond 150 years. The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous Peoples have inhabited these lands since time immemorial.
The Government of Canada is committed to nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships with Indigenous Peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership. Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is one of the main themes of Canada 150.
Quotes
“I am proud to honour the making of Treaty No. 1 and to acknowledge the historic and significant connection the Treaty No. 1 First Nations have to Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site. The nine flags will fly evermore, reminding us all, as Treaty people, of this national historical event and of our commitment to build stronger relationships with Indigenous Peoples, based on respect, cooperation and partnership.”
The Honourable Jim Carr,
Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre
Quick Facts
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Treaty No. 1 was signed by Mis-kee-ke-new, Ka-ke-ka-penais, Na-sha-ke-penais, Na-na-wa-nanan, Ke-we-tay-ask, Wa-ko-wush and Oo-za-we-kwun, representing the Ojibway and Swampy Cree people of Manitoba, and Wemyss Simpson on behalf of the Crown. In return for reserves and the promise of annuity payments, livestock and farming implements, the First Nations facilitated access to the land comprising the original province of Manitoba.
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Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site is commemorated both for its role as a Hudson’s Bay Company post and supply and distribution centre for the fur trade and as the place where Treaty No. 1 was made. The site was also the first training base of the North-West Mounted Police and is recognized as one of the finest collections of early stone buildings in Western Canada.
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The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba is a neutral body created through a partnership between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Canada with a mandate to strengthen, rebuild and enhance the Treaty relationship as envisaged by the Treaty parties.
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Parks Canada works with more than 300 Indigenous communities across Canada in conserving, restoring, and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage.
Associated Links
Contacts
Jodi Duhard
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Manitoba Field Unit, Parks Canada Agency
204-984-1758
jodi.duhard@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca