‘This is a long time ago’: Land survey recited at the Manitoba Legislature

WINNIPEG –

A formal land recognition was recited for the first time in the Manitoba Legislature, which one of Manitoba’s Great Chiefs says is a momentous move to reestablish a deeply tarnished relationship with the province.

On Monday, a recognition of indigenous lands was recited as part of the formal proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

“This is long overdue, it is the right thing to do, and I believe it is an important step in our collective efforts to promote reconciliation and move forward together,” Manitoba Prime Minister Heather Stefanson said in a news release Monday afternoon.

The province said the three political parties unanimously agreed to recognize the land, adding that the government will later codify it through a House Rules Standing Committee to make it permanent.

Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Manitoba Assembly of Chiefs was invited to sit down as a delegation of First Nations representatives to hear the first reading of the land recognition.

“For First Nations, recognition of the land is more than symbolic; it is also a key step in correcting past mistakes perpetuated by First Nations in this province and advancing in the spirit and intent of Reconciliation,” Dumas said in a written statement.

“Today’s first reading of the official recognition of provincial lands in the Manitoba Legislature is another momentous moment in our shared history as we all work in a spirit of cooperation and respect to restore the relationship, which has been seriously tarnished in recent years. years., between First Nations in Manitoba and the provincial Crown. “

Land recognition will be delivered by the house speaker for the remainder of the fall session.

You can read the full land recognition, as recited by the Speaker of the House on Monday:

“We acknowledge that we are gathered in Treaty Territory 1 and that Manitoba is located in the Treaty Territories and the ancestral lands of Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk.

We recognize that part of Manitoba is in the homeland of Red River Métis. We recognize that northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are ancestral lands of the Inuit.

We remain committed to working in partnership with indigenous peoples in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration in accordance with their constitutional and human rights. ”