What a time to come back home, today was treaty day. There was no bread and cheese, instead I got cold hard coin. There is always a debate amoungst the people during this time of year about how we feel about getting the $4 a year, although the agreement is signed in 1905. I am not sure about how much the $4 would be worth in todays currency with modern day inflation, but it would be a healty sum for sure. But people still line up though, the elders line up with pride and the young people are excited to get their small share to head to the local store to fill up on a pop and chip (as they say back home.).
Here is my treay day story in pictures...
Always approach the government representative with a smile, this makes the transaction much more painless. I've often wondered how they feel giving out small currency to line up filled with a bunch of "indians."In order to prove that I am worthy of my money, I must hand over my status card.
She then gladly accepts it, looks up my name in the ledger. Under my name, there is an amount of how much I am intitled to and a bar-code.
She then hands me over the ledger and I sign it. She then takes back the ledger, scans the bar-code and I move on to the final step.
Because I didn't cash in for 3 years, I am intitled to $12.00. RCMP officer, Jean Roy hands over my money, on behalf of the Queen of England.
Here I am with my childhood friend, Phoebe Sutherland-Foster and RCMP officer, Jean Roy. Jean and I go back 5 years or so, we did a regional workshop together. I am so glad that he was here representing the RCMP, he is one of the most honourable men I have ever met.
Thank you Phoebe for capturing my treaty day story in pictures. You an okay photographer, however, you are the best friend anyone can ever ask for.
Man, I am so happy to be home!!!
4 comments:
This is hilarious! (Yet sad, in a way). i can just picture this "photo essay" filling up a textbook years in the future. Stan, smiling at each stage, as children learn about how happy Natives were to get $4 each year.
Your point about 1905 sickens me. Is anyone arguing this fact in court? i understand the pride (hey, this is Bread and Cheese land), and especially the excitement from the kids.
Plus, i think the Queen's math is a little off. If it's been 4 years, and it's $4 each year, shouldn't you be entitled to $16? i'd get that Mountie back there ASAP!!!
Thanks sir it was a typo on my part, it should and will read three years.
As for the part the sickens you, that's the point people debate about every year. Some people absolutely refuse to collect their treaty payments, because they find this insulting. On the other hand, people collect as a way to honouring the original agreement that was suppose to be about friendship, celebration and partnership.
Thanks for your post my man, see you soon.
Hey Stan,
I was just looking at your blog and saw a comment where joe james called you Indepth Wesley. He obviously read the MSN interview, haha.
Check out my blog: http://www.wawataynews.ca/blog/18
Oh, and I'm kinda sorta working on a feature story on the treaty payments, and what it would the annual payments would be if inflation was taken into account. I'll keep you posted.
I got my treaty payment on July 31, where I got $36. I used it to buy 300 on DVD.
Lenny
i can't wait until they make a movie about the 300 Crees who stood their ground and fought back against the oppressors.
"TONIGHT, WE DINE, ON KLIK, IN HELL!!!"
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