Ceremony marks 300 years of the Treaty relationship

Wolastoq Grand Council lit a sacred fire in Fredericton’s Officers’ Square on Saturday June 21 as part of a Wolastoqewi Sunrise Ceremony. The Grand Council had called the gathering to honour the summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples Day, but it had a much larger meaning for all New Brunswickers.

The event marked 300 years since the articles of peace and agreement were made and concluded in what is known commonly as the Mascarene Treaty, one of the most significant Peace and Friendship Treaties guiding the relationship between the British Crown (England) and Wabanaki Nations of northeastern North America.

The ceremony took place during sunrise and included Sacred Pipe and Water Ceremonies amidst Wolastoqewi songs, Tobacco offerings, and teachings. The event was open to the public and saw about 100 people gather and participate in a reenactment of Wolastoqewi Longhouse protocols.

Wabanaki leaders presiding over the ceremony included Wolastoqewi Kci-Sakom spasaqsit possesom (Grand Chief Ron Tremblay) and Sakom (Chief) Hugh Akagi of Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik, with accompaniment from Wolastoqewi Clanmothers Ramona Nicholas and Roseanne Clark.

Following the ceremony, Terry Young conducted a full reading of the Mascarene Treaty, outlining the obligations of the Treaty partners. The full text of this and other Peace & Friendship Treaties are available here.

Kci-Sakom Ron Tremblay highlighted article 5 of the treaty specifically on “Satisfaction and Reparation,” and stated that, “it is time to press reset, and build a new relationship here, of peace and friendship, that looks at all aspects of life.” He later emphasized that we must turn to the forest, the mountains, the animals, “for it is them who remember the original teachings of how to live in balance, here on Earth.”

Sakom Akagi asked everyone present to remember the intention of this event and, “the people that have always been here.” He said: “Today is about looking forward, but I am going to make one suggestion: It’s our turn to lead.”

Also, in attendance and invited to express their re-commitments to the Peace and Friendship Treaty Relationship were New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, Fredericton-Lincoln MLA and Leader of the Green Party David Coon, and MLA of Fredericton North and Minister of Opportunities NB, Luke Randall.

Katalin Koller is the owner of Earthonomic Community Consulting. Susan O’Donnell is the lead researcher of the CEDAR project at St. Thomas University.