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Premier Wynne has made First Nations a priority during her first year in power, but the true test of her words awaits
TORONTO — On the day Kathleen Wynne was sworn in as premier — a year ago Tuesday — she chose to add something a little different to the dry ceremonial program that had been used for the two dozen men who had come before her.
In addition to the presence of Ontario’s lieutenant-governor, a minister and the tones of O Canada, the premier-to-be requested that First Nations traditions be included in the ceremony. And so it was for the first time on the floor of the Queen’s Park legislature that seven aboriginal women drummed and sang an honour song in Ojibway.
While most of that day’s news reports focused on other firsts — namely, Wynne as the first female premier in Ontario and first openly gay premier in Canada — the inclusion of drummers was in fact more significant to some.
“It sent a signal that we were going to be important as part of her premiership,” said Sylvia Maracle, executive director of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres.
Wynne makes a point of recognizing which traditional aboriginal territory she’s on at various events and announcements and often ends speeches with “meegwetch,” the Algonquin word for thank you.
She told delegates at an Assembly of First Nations conference in Toronto last week that her relationship with the aboriginal community is of both personal and political importance.
“From our budget to our cabinet discussions to the communities that I visit and the plans that I make, the interests of this relationship and First Nations (and) aboriginal communities are top of my mind.”
But that seemingly principled position could soon have a very pragmatic importance.
Wynne’s government will need to partner with aboriginal communities and workers to reap the vast fortunes many say exist in northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire mineral deposit.
Located 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, the Ring of Fire has been described as “Ontario’s oilsands” and one of the most promising mineral development opportunities the province has seen in almost a century.
Current government estimates suggest there could be enough for several generations of chromite production, as well as significant production of nickel, copper and platinum. It’s reportedly worth $60 billion.
But, as longtime cabinet minister Brad Duguid told the Citizen, turning that potential into a reality won’t happen if aboriginal people are left out.
“It will all come crashing down if there’s not partnership with aboriginal communities, which makes (Wynne’s) approach all the more relevant and effective,” he said.
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