Dene National Chief George Mackenzie has been in Ottawa for the last few days, where he has joined a number of other Indigenous leaders who are calling for the Federal Government to show more respect to Indigenous treaties.
Chief Mackenzie stated that the main message he would like the government to take away from this demonstration is that individual politicians and their respective parties should show the due respect to Indigenous treaties.
Dene National Chief George Mackenzie poses with other Indigenous leaders on Parliament Hill this week on the occasion of King Charles visit to Canada. (Photo: Dene Nation)
“People have treaties with the Crown, and these treaties were made by Elders in those days. It was a powerful agreement made never to be broken, and to be respected. Every now and then, treaties get challenged by non-political people and organizations. That’s what this is about.”
While visiting Ottawa, Chief Mackenzie said that he has been unable to speak directly to any lawmakers about this matter, as the capital has been incredibly busy with both the launch of the new Liberal-led government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, and the visit from King Charles. At most, they were able to hold a press conference and several rallies in an attempt to share their message.
When asked about what he would like to see change in the matter of Indigenous treaties, Chief Mackenzie was clear that autonomy was at the top of the list.
“Every time non-Aboriginal politicians do a political speech, they mention Indigenous people. They talk about us, and say what they want to say about us. I think we’ve had enough of that. You don’t need to talk for us. We can talk for ourselves on any table, whether it’s receptions, meetings, or conferences.
“The biggest part of the discussion is don’t talk about us like we don’t exist. That’s not showing respect to Aboriginals, and that’s not what we want to happen.”
