Dear
Prime Minister Martin,
At
this point in time, I respectfully request your review of the attached
document
as it pertains to the Victoria Island Project. The attached email
outlines
a request for consultation with Algonquin Elder William Commanda as
well
as background information on this project.
If
you have any questions and/or comments regarding the attached document,
please
do not hesitate to contact me.
Meegwetch,
Don
Don
Caverley
phone/fax
(250) 656-1076
e-mail:
don.caverley@shaw.ca
"That the Saanich Gulf Islands
Executive strongly supports the
implementation of the Victoria Island
Project & furthermore, requests that
The Hon. David Emerson & his BC
Caucus colleagues encourage our Prime
Minister to meet ASAP with Algonquin
Elder William Commanda to discuss this
matter."
Cc The Hon. Ethel Blondin-Andrew,
Minister of State (Northern Development)
Kim Recalma-Clutesi, President BC APC
Wayne Helgason, VP (Policy), National Executive APC
Colin Topham, Executive Director, Federal Liberal Party in BC
Moved by: Ken Harrison
Seconded by: Jag Dhanowa
Motion
carried unanimously.
181
Ste-Élizabeth Road
Cantley,
Québec J8V 3E9
(819)
827-9295
12 August 2004
Mr. Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
Cabinet of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2
Mr. Prime Minister,
This week, I feel more at peace in me heart and soul, and also
more optimist towards life and the global situation in general. One of the reasons is that I just spent a
couple a days in Maniwaki at grandfather William Commanda’s spiritual
gathering. I hope you had the chance to
meet and exchange with this wise man of extraordinary goals.
Us Canadians are very fortunate to live in a country like ours
where to grow in Freedom is still possible.
‘Freedom’, that powerful word, so different for each of us and yet often
difficult to express considering the workload we carry, the debts we’re in, the
level of stress or simply that we forgot how ‘to be’ (être) because nowadays
having (avoir) seams to prevail. These
past few decays we have greater evolved in the physical and technological
fields but where have gone the ‘real people’ with values close to their
hearts. It seams to me the essentials
were forgotten such has connecting with Mother Earth, who supports and
nourishes us on many aspects for so long and yet we keep abusing and exploiting
her.
Mr. Martin, we have arrived at a critical and fragile period of
man’s evolution on this earth and I sincerely hope that your future decisions
will be inspired with values of environmental protection and support to
individuals in comparison to temporary and derisory enrichment. Now that I’ve express some of my concerns, I
would like your deep consideration for an innovative project that is of great
importance to me, I’m talking about the healing center on Victoria Island right
here in Ottawa. Just a few hundred
meters from parliamentary hill, we wish for a one of a kind centre that would
be dedicated to unification of the races, to the knowledge and recognition of
different cultures; a place where the criteria of admissibility would be
respect, love, responsibility and forgiveness.
As you already know many of our fellow citizens feel misunderstood and
unrecognized, so this would be a great place to open the doors of communication
and where freedom of expression would trigger a healing process and
re-establish an atmosphere of multi-ethnics exchanges.
Racial reconciliation is a project of long implication that is
becoming necessary for the unity of mankind and very important in people’s
heart. Our First Nations people have a
message of great importance that is becoming more and more urgent, I hope you will
be the man who will unify our country and show to the rest of the world the
true values of Canadians.
I thank you for your precious time in considering my words, and I
hope that my little letter will have a great impressions in your future
decisions.
Josée Brisebois
Canadian Citizen and Public Servant
C.C. M. William Commanda, Circle of all Nations
M. David Smith,
Member of Parliament, Pontiac County
From the internet site: www.circleofallnations.com
A circle of all the nations...
A culture of peace
‘It was predicted that a
time would come when the voice of the people of First Nations would rise once
again, after five hundred years of silence and oppression, in order to guide us
towards a new eternal fire of peace, love and friendship between all
nations.’
Greetings
Jeff,
Congratulations
on all your endeavors on behalf of ABORIGINAL PEOPLES as
illustrated
in the recent "HISTORIC" Roundtable consultations.
It
was with much pride as an ALGONQUIN citizen that once again GRANDFATHER
WILLIAM
COMMANDA was front & centre with the PM @ this monumental gathering.
Having
said that,& with the full knowledge that the Pikwakanagan FN Chief &
Council
passed a Band Resolution on Aug. 11/03 to support the creation of
the
VI Indigenous Centre on Traditional Algonquin Territory [NCC is also
fully
aware of this file],I respectfully request that you personally
intervene
on this file with Prime Minister Martin....this could be a
powerful
legacy for the PM to individuals who have waited so,so long to come
to
personal closure & to move on & move forward with their dreams &
aspirations
as PROUD CANADIAN CITIZENS.
In
closing, I shall continue to intervene where ever possible with
Grandfather's
blessing especially as he continues to enjoy every day with
PATIENCE
& HOPE that this very "SPECIAL" initiative can come to fruition.
Meegwetch,
Don
STANDING
TOGETHER---ONE VOICE
Dear Prime Minister Martin,
I am
contacting you to ask for your support in facilitating the realization of
Grandfather William Commanda’s vision of creating the Indigenous Center at
Victoria Island. I believe this very important step in creating a place for
inter-cultural and social exchange, communication, celebration and healing.
Please help make this vision a reality for all the people of Canada.
Sincerely,
Jeffry L.
Anderson, M.D.
105 Marin
St.
San Rafael,
CA 94901
USA
Chambly,
le 27 mars 2005
M.
Paul Martin, premier ministre du Canada
Chambre
des Communes
Ottawa,
Ontario
K1A
0A6
Monsieur
le premier ministre,
À
l’occasion de l’ouverture de votre première table ronde du Canada avec les
peuples autochtones, le 19 avril 2004, vous avez
fait un discours où vous reconnaissiez qu’il y
avait des améliorations à apporter dans les relations entre le Canada et les
premières
nations
qui y vivent. Vous avez également parlé de la nécessité d’assister les premières
nations au niveau des soins de santé et de la façon qui leur est
particulière. Les nations européennes qui sont venues s’établir ici en
Amérique n’ont pas beaucoup respecté les premiers habitants du continent.
Nous nous sommes installés sur leurs terres ancestrales et nous les avons
entassés sur de petits territoires exigus sous la supervision de Sa Majesté la
Reine et de son Gouverneur général en Conseil. Cette façon de faire a
causé parmi les populations autochtones de graves problèmes de déséquilibre
physique et psychologique. Il y a un immense travail de guérison à faire.
Vous
n’êtes pas sans savoir qu’un de leurs leaders spirituels les plus respectés, M.
William Commanda, de Kitigan Zibi, arrière
petit-fils de Pakinawatik, le chef héréditaire
Anicinabe qui a conduit son peuple sur leurs territoires traditionnels de
chasse et de
trappe
le long de la rivière des Outaouais, maintenant âgé de 89 ans, a dans ses vieux
jours le souhait et la vision de voir s’établir
sur
l’île Victoria, entre la colline parlementaire et la ville de Gatineau, un
Centre de guérison et de paix pour favoriser l’harmonie
entre
les peuples. L’architecte du Palais de la civilisation, M. Douglas
Cardinal, a même fait les plans de ce que pourrait être ce
bâtiment.
Au
début de votre exposé du 19 avril 2004, vous avez remercié M. Commanda d’avoir
fait la prière d’ouverture et d’avoir invité
tous les participants à venir se rencontrer
sur le territoire traditionnel algonquin. Du fait que vous reconnaissez
que la région
d’Ottawa
est territoire traditionnel algonquin qui a été envahi par la société
canadienne, et du fait que vous savez que M. Commanda n’a pas les moyens
financiers de se lancer dans un projet d’une telle envergure, ne serait-il pas
tout indiqué, si vous avez vraiment l’intention de favoriser la guérison des
populations autochtones, d’assister M. Commanda dans la réalisation d’un tel
centre de guérison en tant que chef du gouvernement canadien actuel? Ne
serait-ce pas là un moyen significatif et efficace d’alléger la dette de la
société canadienne envers les premières nations et de remettre un peu de ce
qu’on leur a pris?
En
tant que Québécois d’origine française, je considère que notre avenir en terre
d’Amérique ne peut se fonder que sur le
rétablissement de l’harmonie et du respect
entre les divers groupes et peuples qui y vivent.
Merci
de l’attention que vous voudrez bien porter à ma requête.
Votre
tout obligé,
Jacques
Boucher
_______________________________________
To
Canadian Prime Minister, Paul Martin
As
peacemakers and filmmakers dedicated to honoring indigenous peoples and
helping
broadcast their messages to wider audiences, we want to express our
support
of Grandfather William Commanda's vision for the creation of an Indigenous
Center
on Victoria Island.
A
Center such as this will be of help to all Aboriginal Peoples and set a
powerful
example to the world as a place where People from All Cultures can
gather
in Peace.
Marguerite
Lorimer, Co-Founder and Executive Producer
John
Vincent Veltri, Co-Founder and Director
EARTHALIVE
COMMUNICATIONS INC
415-459-3338 www.earthalive.com
Dear
Mr. Martin:
I
have been a visitor to your beautiful country for the past ten years, and
look
forward to my annual visit this year.
This is all due to the work of
Algonquin
Elder William Commanda. He has worked tirelessly to promote peace
and
healing for all people. His work is
known worldwide and his devotion to
a
culture of peace has inspired many of us to work toward that end. His
vision
for the healing center has been in my mind since he first began to
work
on it.
I
personally work with at risk youth in the USA and there is such a need for
centers
such as this. We must heal the wounds of
the generations in order
to
sustain our countries, communities, and our planet.
I
urge you to aid this vision to become a reality.
Sincerely,
Pat
Nicholson
Education
Coordinator
Mid
South Mediation Services
20
West Main St.
Hohenwald,
TN 38462
Dear Prime Minister Martin
I wish to
express my heartfelt support for the vision that Grandfather William Commanda
is holding for the creation of the Indigenous Centre at Victoria Island and for
the invitation he has extended to you to attend the June 21 Pipe Ceremony.
Your support, commitment and attendance is important to strengthening the
resolve of creating such a Centre and a tangible endorsement of your courage
and willingness to explore with others how to make this a reality. Please
show your support, please attend this gathering – it is important for our
World.
With best
wishes,
Sarah
Whiteley
--
hosting people to reveal sustainable realities and practices
Sarah Whiteley Process Designer and Host T:++44(0)8712 501535
M:++44(0)7815 935252
sarahwhiteley.hara@virgin.net http://www.haraconnection.com
I
am sending my support regarding the use of indigenious ceremonies and the need
at this time in history to honor native peoples and their culture. We, as a
people, have neglecting the earth, destoying cultures and becoming more and
more unbalanced while lacking compassion.
I am writing from America although we all have a responsibility to take
at this point in time.
I
would like to send my support for Grandfather William Commanda's vision for an
Indigenous Center at Victoria Island. It
seems that this is the type of opportunity that is needed to help make needed
changes. Please consider supporting this
center.
Thank
you,
Laura
Kroepel
Honorable
Prime Minister Paul Martin:
I write to
support a request made to you by an old friend. I have
recently
learned that William Commanda is seeking your assistance to
establish
an Indigenous Center at Victoria Island. I am assuming
that
others have apprised you of this project of which I have only
recently
learned. Here I want to attest to the significance of Mr.
Commanda's
activity. I presently teach anthropology at Hunter
College in
New York City. Over the years I have had many occasions
to impart
some of the knowledge I gained from Mr. Commanda to my
students
on subjects ranging from religious philosophy to
woodworking.
This is surprising to me because my anthropologoical
work is
based on long-term fieldwork with the Sioux of western South
Dakota
from 1972 to the present. My contact with Mr. Commanda was
short-term
-- limited to the period 1977-78 while I was living in
Montreal.
Nevertheless, in my analyses his perspective often
overshadows
that of Sioux informants and friends with whom I've
interacted
for a quarter century, in helping me understand and
explain
indigenous issues in North America, and North American
history as
well.
William
Commanda is significant in North America as a whole, and I
expect he
is in a unique position to make a contribution to Canadian
community
strength and Canadian culture as a whole. His commitment to
his
people's indigenous rights led him to unite with people from
other
bands and reserves as early as the 1940s, despite occasional
hostility
from the non-Indian population. Obviously he has
maintained
that commitment, but never with recourse to harsh
invective.
I recall his thoughtful critique of a PQ plan of the '70s
to turn
Indian Reserves into municipalities as masking the removal of
rights
held in common with the mere illusion of
more power within a
separated
Quebec.
Like many
Indian people, he has been an astute critic of mass media,
including
news programs in both French and English. However, he
learned
from the media and used the information to link the problems
his own
people faced, to ecological crises just beginning to be
understood
in 1978.
Finally,
his participation in the Canadian workforce from a laborer
to a judge
of timber should be acknowledged. Certainly it allowed
him some
independence and respect, that Indians of the US miss. His
life as a
wage-earner reveals a dynamic in cultural change missed by
anthropologists,
and some Indian spokespeople, in the last half
century
(at least in the US) -- acculturation does not necessarily
lead to
assimilation. If people continue to participate in the
communities
in which they were raised, the community continues to
supply
social support. Just as Indian
communities retain their
autonomy,
but participate in the Canadian process, other ethnic
communities
function well in Canada. Hopefully, Canadian pluralism
will be
emulated by us other North Americans. William Commanda's
life and
vision speaks to the success of cultural autonomy as a
building
block of a democratic state built on cultural pluralism.
The
Canadian process works because it is negotiated not forced. Mr.
Commanda's
envisioned Indigenous Center would aid Canada in
documenting
it's pluralism and making the Canadian success story
visible to
other governments of the world suddenly coming to terms
with
indigenous and new immigrant populations.
I hope you
are able to investigate William Commanda's project on
Victoria
Island and put some of Canada's resources behind it.
Thomas
Burgess
Department
of Anthropology
Hunter
College
NY, NY
Dear
Prime Minister Martin,
I
am writing in support of Grandfather William Commanda's vision for the
Indigenous
Center at Victoria Island, Ottawa, Canada which would create a
place
where indigenous peoples from around the world can gather together in
the
spirit of unity. This Center is critical
for facilitating balance
between
diverse people's and for supporting the remembrance and teaching of
Aboriginal
knowing and cultural heritage that is so critical for all of
humanity
in these times. Please support
Grandfather William Commanda's
vision
to manifest this Center Now in all ways possible to one in your
position. In so doing you will be a prime contributor
to the creation of a
global
Circle of All Nations and a Culture of Peace.
Thank
you for your sincere consideration.
In
Peace with Aloha,
Dawn
L. Ferguson
Composer
and Founding Director
Children
Singing Peace Around the World
(Division
of 21st Century World- a 501(c)3 non profit organization)
1-888-324-6251
_________________________________________________________
Mr. Paul Martin
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0A2
Respected sir:
I am writing to express my support of the
beautiful vision of Native Elder William Commanda for an Indigenous Center at
Victoria Island dedicated to a culture of peace and healing among all peoples
(please see below).
It was my honor to hear this great soul speak
at an interfaith service yesterday in New York State. Despite the
overwhelmingly American audience, Grandfather delivered his speech in French as
well as English, out of the respect he feels for the Canadian people and
Canada’s multi-cultural heritage.
I urge you to send word of your support of his
vision to him by June 21, 2005, when he will host the fifth annual Gathering of
Nations Pipe Ceremony at Victoria Island.
The native peoples of our countries have been
forced for too long to take a back seat while they watched the march of
progress laying waste to the natural beauty of their lands. It is time for them
to have a front seat for the healing.
Thank you for your understanding, and for your
leadership in a culture of peace.
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Deborah Moldow, Director
The World Peace Prayer Society
Aloha,
I am contacting you at the request of
Grandfather William Commanda.
As you know Grandfather is a leader of
his people and recognized as a metaleader for indigenous peoples of many Ways:
William Commanda is the 87 year old traditional Native American
Algonquin Elder from Kitigan Zibi, Quebec. The great grandson of Pakinawatik,
the hereditary Algonquin chief who led his people to settle in their
traditional hunting and trapping grounds in the Ottawa River area in the mid
19th century, Elder Commanda is Keeper of three Wampum Belts of historic
importance, including the Seven Fires Prophecy Wampum Belt.
Please take action in support of
Grandfather's vision of a center where indigenous ways and values can be
cultivated and shared. This is a vision of power for our times. By supporting
this vision, you are expressing your breadth of vision and realization that all
Earth's peoples have the opportunity to work together in our time for harmony,
healing and peace.
Blessings,
Linda S. Masterson
PO Box 856
Hanalei, HI USA 96714
Dear
Prime minister,
In
the United Nations Decade for a Culture of Peace, I
actively
support the work and vision of Grandfather
William
Commanda to develop a fully inclusive
indigenous
peace-building cultural centre on Victoria
Island
.
We
see churches, cathedrals, synagogues, temples and
mosques
reflecting the great diversity of cultures
here,
but there is still no place where indigenous
peoples
can gather together in the spirit of unity
that
used to mark the heritage of the ancestors of
this
land.
There
is a saying that Turtle Island would not find
true
peace until the relationship with the first
peoples
of this land was healed, and they occupied
their
rightful position in the heart of this country.
Please
support this vision so that the concrete
manifestation
of this commitment is visible to all
people.
With
blessings
Barbara
Swetina
Mr. Prime
Minister,
This email is to
express my support for the initiative of Elder William Commanda's Vision for
the Indigenous Center at Victoria Island.
Grandfather
William has, at great personal sacrifice, given his life for his people - and
in his heart, we are all his people. It would surprise me if you weren't
fully aware of his dream for the Island so I therefore won't elaborate or be
repetitious.
People from all
over the world have Grandfather's full respect. In fact, it is probably
true to say that if he had been born in some other country, his vision would
have been supported in full by both the people in general and the
govenment. Don't you find it sad to think that we have such a wise
Elder in our midst who has the first-hand knowledge of his Ancestors and
is still being denied?
For years he has
been sharing the teachings of his ancestors. One treasure he shares is
"My ancestors used to say the most nutritious walnuts emerge after the
coldest winter." Mr. Prime Minister, THIS PAST WINTER WAS
A VERY COLD ONE!
Please, please
Mr. Prime Minister, look into your heart and hear for yourself the true vision
of our people as Grandfather has taught. Help us to once again be a proud
Nation. Help us to help Mother Earth and the next Seven Generations
(which includes yours).
Respectfully
submitted
Heather Sole
(Mi'kmaq Nation of Nova Scotia)
Dear Prime
Minister
I am
writing today to express my deep conviction that the proposed healing
centre on Victoria Island, in the Ottawa River, will be an outstanding
testament to Canadian culture.
We are a
nation of liberals, who believe in healing our nations past ( treatment
of our First Nations Peoples) and in creating a bright and peaceful future. We
do not travel narrow paths (as some nations are choosing presently). We
represent vision, hope, and peace to the rest of the world.
Grandfather
William Commanda (Spiritual Grandfather of the Algonquin Peoples) has long
proposed a healing centre on the Ottawa River. He turns 91 years old today and
he has spent the last thirty years bringing the four tribes together finding
unity and community and generosity. in the hearts of all Canadians.
The plans
are well under way and well supported, but still require an OK from Ottawa. Let
us create something beautiful and important in the world.
Please
refer to his website www.circleofallnations.com
Thank you
Merci
Meegwetch
Kim
Elkington
President
The
Algonquin Tea Co.
RR5
Eganville ON K0J1T0
ps I am
attaching an article I wrote in Toronto's Vitality Magazine (Sept issue) about
a recent Commanda gathering, to give you a sense of who he is, and what he is
creating.
Vitality sep 04
Sacred Journey's
In retrospect it is clear that the last year
has been very much about water as a life force, guardian, provider, spiritual
teacher and friend. To the point in fact that I wear a vile of water from the
Glastonbury Well around my neck at all times, representing both the nourishing
blood of Mother Earth and the nectar of a vast Spirit of
Creation. Not surprisingly water, in her guise as a guardian
and teacher, lead me to the Circle of All Nations gathering hosted by William
Commanda, Elder and a Spiritual leader of the Algonquin People, at his home on
Bitobi Lake, Kitigan Zibi Reserve, Maniwaki Quebec.
At sunrise each day, we
rose from our tents and moved silently down to the waters edge and the sacred fire
to gather around the elders and pipe carriers attending from around the world,
for a traditional sunrise ceremony. Prayers rose in the tobacco giving
thanks for 'all our relations'; water, mineral, fire and air; our animal and
plant relations; the stars and the planets; the moon and sun; and everything
visible and invisible that is part of creation and therefore part of each of
us. We were reminded and remained so, that each of us, and the grounds we
walked on , were sacred. It was incredible to be at an Algonquin style
conference. The mornings were spent in circles where various teachers, medicine
people, mayors, folks like me and folks who, at first glance, did not seem to
be like me, all spoke and shared how they were living on the Red Road.
The Red Road is not just the way
of the indigenous people (in the sense of the world being divided into the red,
white , black and yellow races) but also means to walk a path rooted in Mother
Earth and connected always to Great Spirit above. (The Black Road, it's
opposite, feeds the delusions of power hungry egos who fear
responsibility to others). Whether we were from Japan (as many were), or
from Haiti or Cameroon as others were, native, or white like me, all of us
shared an indivisible love and respect for walking the Red Road and it was a
joy to be together without judgment, but in full acceptance and celebration for
our efforts to live with integrity.
As it was an indigenous gathering
women were asked to wear skirts or shawls over their pants so that a sacred
circle (their hems) would protect the opening to their wombs. Showing a lot of
skin or having alcohol was forbidden and women were make-up free by the second
day. Perhaps most enjoyable was the respect given to elders throughout the four
days.
William Commanda is now in his 90's and has
been focused on peace building, racial harmony, social justice and sharing
indigenous healing wisdom of Mother Earth since the early sixties. When he was
not sharing the red road with friends like Pierre Trudeau or Nelson Mandela he
always made time as a master craftsman, to make birch bark canoes. As he
saw the trees and water become ill, he saw that cancer was also destroying the
humans and he was forces out of the forest he loved to share his broken heart
and share ways for us to heal the Earth. He now carries The Seven Fires
Prophecy Belt which now offers an urgent choice to move into forgiveness,
compassion and reconciliation with all our relations so that we can come
together in peace and light the eighth fire where we become "A Circle of
All Nations: A Culture of Peace".
This year we came together around water. The
water table is drying up because the governments are selling the spring water
in the water sheds to huge companies as bottled water, which affects everything
below it in the water chain. The trees and plants are all being torn up in the
moraines and the water is not being held longer by the plants or given shade on
the rivers, so it is evaporating and or rushing faster to the lakes and oceans without
staying to do its job in the watershed. We talked about things we can do and
are being done around the world in villages by groups of ten people or
more and by governments. Shiroh Tenge a Sony executive that co-created the cd
technology, author and walker of the Red Road shared a great success story.
Tokyo harbour was so bad you had to pinch your nose for five hours sailing out
of the harbour before you could breathe. Only 10% of the city council cared but
it was enough to get regulations for the industries. Then at the national level
only 1% of the government cared but it was enough to implement those rules
throughout the watershed around Tokyo and now, forty years later people swim
and fish right in the harbor where forty million people live. Watersheds affect
everyone and everything within them, they connect us as a community and a
family. The health of our water reflects our own health. There was a
presentation on Masaru Emoto's work with sending words, feelings and
music into water for a period of time (two hours) and then freezing the water
and photographing the crystalline structures. When I hate you was said into the
water the structures broke down and looked like industrial waste. When I love
you and thank you were focused onto the water the crystalline structures
were complex and beautiful. Thank you even produces a heart in the center of
the snowflake pattern. Please read his books if you've not already Messages
From Water (Volumes 1 and 2).
As our bodies, like the Earth's body,
are 70% water, and as water is a reflection of it's environment, imagine what
the water in our bodies looks like when we are angry all the time. Imagine how
much it would help the water table if you thanked your water before and after
you bathe. Simple powerful solutions that require the humility to acknowledging
that we are all connected to each other and part of a vast Spirit of Creation
that responds to a pure and open heart's intention.
After our talks each day around 4pm the fires
began for the evening sweat lodges. Between seven and fourteen sweats
were run each evening well into the night on the sacred ground. Imagine if
meetings in Ottawa and Washington began with a Sunrise Ceremony and ended with
a multi-lingual sweat-lodge each night.
If you can attend the Circle of All Nations
next year please do. All are welcome and you will be recharged by the
generosity of our indigenous elders and the integrity of life on the Red Road
www.circleofallnations.com.
--
_______________________________
The Algonquin Tea Co
Business Office: 222 Rusholme Rd. Toronto ON Canada M6H 2Y8
416-536-9222
Farm : RR1 Golden Lake ON, Canada K0J 1X0
613-625-1106
Visit us on the web for updates and easy ordering !
www.algonquintea.com
spirit@algonquintea.com
"The Universe is
made of stories, not atoms." - Muriel Rukeyser
-----Original
Message-----
From:
LThornto@ncc-ccn.ca [mailto:LThornto@ncc-ccn.ca]
Sent:
Thursday, December 09, 2004 5:14 AM
Subject:
RE: Victoria Island
Thanks
for your note Don. The Chairman of the
NCC, Marcel Beaudry, has
received
copies of the letters, regarding William Commanda's centre for
peace
and healing, sent by, and as responses to, members of the Ottawa
Valley
Algonquin First Nation communities, via the Prime Minister's Office,
and
the Offices of Ministers Scott and Frulla.
The NCC does agree with
these
responses to Algonquin representatives to the extent that the NCC has
and
can play a leadership role in advancing the Victoria Island aboriginal
centre
proposal. We are, however, a small Crown
Corporation, with a limited
mandate
and budget. We are responsible for
planning the future use of
federal
lands in the Capital, and for ensuring that these land uses build a
more
representative and meaningful Capital for all Canadians and for
international
visitors.
The
NCC does not, however, have either the mandate or the budget to
construct
major cultural institutions. This scope
of undertaking would, in
our
view, need not only the planning support of the NCC, but the broad
program
and financial support of the government.
The Departments of
Canadian
Heritage and Indian Affairs & Northern Development, and perhaps
Public
Works & Government Services Canada may be organizations that will
play
an important role in the realization of an initiative such as this.
Responses
to the Algonquin representatives who have sent their compelling
letters
to Ministers do support the proposal of the centre. This project
would
have to be considered within the broader federal funding strategy. I
am
confident that the NCC Chairman will, whenever the opportunity arises,
push
very strongly for federal government support of this important project.
I
regret that I cannot give you a more promising answer at this time.
Lori
Thornton
-----Original
Message-----
From:
Don Caverley [mailto:don.caverley@shaw.ca]
Sent:
Monday, December 06, 2004 3:32 PM
Subject:
Victoria Island
Importance:
High
Hi
Lori,
FYI...I
was led to believe [by another colleague] that Minister Frulla had a
working
relationship/interest in this file. Nonetheless, any update re. the
above
mentioned. Cheers, Don
-----Original
Message-----
From:
min_frulla@pch.gc.ca [mailto:min_frulla@pch.gc.ca]
Sent:
Monday, December 06, 2004 12:22 PM
Subject:
Dear
Mr. Caverley:
I
am writing in response to your correspondence of October 14, 2004,
to the Honourable
Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister
responsible
for Status of Women, regarding the Victoria Island project.
Ms.
Frulla appreciates your
advising her of your interest in this
matter. It
should be noted,
however, that this issue falls
under the
purview of
the National Capital
Commission (NCC), an autonomous
Crown
corporation that
operates independently of the Government
and is
responsible for its own day-to-day operations. In view of the independent
nature of
the NCC, I
suggest that you
contact Mr. Marcel Beaudry,
Chairperson of the
NCC, regarding the Victoria Island project.
He can be
reached
at:
202 - 40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C7.
I
trust that this
information is useful.
Please accept my best
wishes.
Yours
sincerely,
Luc Rouleau
Director
Ministerial Correspondence
Secretariat
Dear Prime Minister Martin,
I hear there is talk of a new
Indigenous People's Center at Victoria Island. I think this is a
marvelous idea and want to offer my support for it!
We live in Ferndale, WA... just 14
miles south of the US/Canadian Border and take many little adventurous day
trips into Canada. One of our favorite pastimes is history. One of
our favorite things about Canada is how you incorporate the First Peoples of
your country into everything you do... national art, brochures, names of towns
etc.
The many varied and vibrant cultures
that made up the entirety of the lands we call the Americas deserve to be
celebrated and it is a fine thing you are contemplating to honor those who were
here first.
If there is a mailing list or a website
where we can learn more and/or donate to this worthy cause, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Evelyn & Joe Garcia
_____________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Martin
I write to support Chief
Commanda's vision of an Indigneous Centre at Victoria Island. As the G8
meets to decide on issues related to Africa, may its Canadian members also
consider the importance of our Indigenous Peoples to Canada and the
world.
Gwynneth Evans (K1N 8E4)
Please
help Grandfather Commanda create this cultural center on Victoria Island, that
is of such great importance for all peoples.
That
the honoring and messages, meetings and gatherings, the sharings and close
interactions can again bring powerful connectedness, a new energy to an ancient
source, SPIRIT. That which is all of us.
Let
us not forget, and in the remembering, that we chose what is sacred, and serves
all Creation.
Let
the role for those who where elected and chosen to serve a country, a government,
a political party, a people,
let
that commitment be to serve,"All of Creation".
May
we live in Peace,
Francis
Jansen.
Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to
express my support for Elder William Commanda's proposal for an Indigenous
Centre at Victoria Island - where this year the 5th annual Gathering of Nations
Pipe Ceremony will take place. June 2lst is Indian Day since l945 and formally
recognized by the Governor of Canada as National Aboriginal Day. The native
people welcomed our ancestors to this great land hundreds of years ago. We need
a culture of Peace and respect for Mother Earth to create a Circle of All
Nations. This is especially important today in the face of war and
environmental disaster. We need to return to the teaching of the native people
in this regard. Will the Prime Minister be attending?
Karen Richardson, Project Coordinator
Seeking Alternatives Youth Project
Industry Education Council
139 St. Lawrence St. East,
Madoc, Ontario K0K 2K0
613-473-4l83
www.indedco.ca/programs/prog_youth
________________________________________________________________
EXCERPT
OF MESSAGE TO PM
On
a final note, I would like to extend to you a special invitation to
attend
the "pipe" ceremony of Elder William Commanda described in the
attached. You likely know of the terrific work of
William and one of his
closest
friends, Douglas Cardinal, in regard to the Victoria Island project,
and
perhaps are familiar with their efforts to see a tribute to Canada's
native
peoples built on that Island. Such a
facility would not be
tremendously
expensive for Canada and would be a very appropriate venue for
Canadians
in recognizing in the heart of the nation's capital, the
collaborative
role and contributions of Canada's native peoples in building
our
country. But more than that, it would
serve as a true source of
pride-building
for our native young people in particular. New generations of
natives
are just beginning to learn to appreciate the role of their
ancestors
in nation-building, yet most Canadians of both native and European
descent
are still for the most part, hopelessly unaware of the many aspects
their
history and the tremendous contributions they made as equal partners
in
the building of Canada and North America for that matter. It would seem
to
be most appropriate for the government
of Canada to take a lead role in
supporting
this effort rather than one of back seat observor so that in
years
to come, it might be recognized that the Government of Canada in this
case
took on the role of leader in setting the history books straight with
regards
to our native peoples, to at least initiate a program which might
help
right the wrongs of so many years of perhaps well-meaning, but in many
ways
mis-guided policies with regard to these cultures in such a way as to
facilitate
their own ability to properly rebuild, reflect and reconstruct
the
history of the nation. Being located at
the seat of the federal
government
in Ottawa and in a popular and developing tourist area servicing
both
Ontario and Quebec, this effort might also help, through direct
exposure
of those who come to visit the centre, do away with many of the
stereotypical
opinions and attitudes which have arisen between our two
cultures
as the result of several decades of mis-treatment,
mis-understanding
and mis-information.
I
cannot say whether or not attending the "pipe" ceremony with some of
your
ministers
will be an entirely pleasant experience (although William and his
colleagues
are the most pleasant and humble people you will ever meet and
share
time with), but there are many issues concerning native land rights
and
industrial use of Canadian resources which often arise in the course of
speeches
and sensitivities remain in that
regard. Just one small example
would
be the dispute over whether or not the new "War Museum" was built on
native
lands and what might be done to rectify it -- i.e. providing funding
for
the Victoria Island centre. Moreover, I
wouldn't be surprised if Mr.
Jean
Chretien chose to attend, should he hear of it, since Elder Commanda
often
responded to Mr. Chretien's requests to open many public ceremonies
with
a sweet grass invocation. But these are
issues which will remain with
us
for many years, if not centuries to come, and what I believe to be
important
would be to have the Canadian Government represented at the
highest
levels possible, i.e. either by yourself or the Governor General as
your
representative or both of you, and additionally, some high ranking
Canadian
government officials and other dignitaries.
If
at all possible, an announcement of a decision by the Government of
Canada
to go forward with funding support, with numbers and schedules of
some
sort attached, for the native centre would be ideal and well-received
not
only by those in attendance, but I believe by all Canadians. This has
been
the subject of many meetings between government officials, William
Commanda
and Douglas Cardinal, among others, for many years and this venue
would
be an ideal time to make some sort of positive announcement in that
regard,
as a tribute to William and a well-deserved gift to him and his
people
in celebration of his life. The centre could, and in fact, in my
opinion,
should be named for him. It would be
very important and comforting
for
William who is now in his nineties if something along these lines could
be
set in motion during his lifetime. More
on this initiative is also
provided
in the attachments hereto.
Sincerely,
Michael
E. Greco
6333
Fortune Drive
Orleans,
Ontario, Canada
K1C
2A4
Tel.: 613-282-5700
________________________________________________________________
Attention:
Prime Minister Paul Martin,
Dear Prime Minister Martin,
I am writing this in support of William
Commanda's gathering at Victoria Island on June 21, 2005 and would urge you to
support his vision and extend your support to the farthest reaches of your
influence.
His message is one that will benefit
not only Canada but the entire world and it is one that is gathering great
notice among the world and its leaders. Please be among those who are
influenced by his message of peace and wisdom in these troubled times.
Most Sincerely,
Colleen and Fred Goodchild
Smiths Falls, Ontario
Hi I agree the vision center and i
support Willam Commanda for the all nation circle Please hear the Native
Peoples
Seyhwa F La Pointe
1220
Des Berges App 101
Terrebonne J6W 6G8
________________________________________________________________
Attention: The Honourable Paul Martin,
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Mr. Martin:
I am writing in strong support of Elder
William Commanda's Vision for an International Indigenous Healing Center for
Victoria Island.
As you may be well aware,
internationally renowned architect Douglas Cardinal shares this vision
with Grandfather William Commanda.
Please offer your assistance, in
whatever way you can, as Canadian Prime Minister, to make this dream a
reality.
By supporting Grandfather's vision
of 'A Circle of All Nations, A Culture of Peace', you can be a
significant part of the healing process that needs to happen between
Canadian government officials and First Nations Peoples.
Sincerely,
Ray Sunstrum
216, Du Grand Calumet,
Gatineau, QC J9J 1L3
(819) 685-1352
_______________________________________________________________________
The Right Honourable Prime Minister of
Canada,
John Henri Commanda
n'dizhnikaaz, I am an anishnabe (Ojibway) from Dokis First Nation and I am
of the Eagle Clan. I am also a husband and father. I will soon participate in
an official naming ceremony where I will receive from an elder of the community
my ojibway spirit name. I recently completed my 25th year of service with the
federal public service (April 30, 2005) and I am eager to take on new and
exciting challenges.
I am also a participant in the Career
Assignment Program (CAP). I am one of 23 successful aboriginal candidates who,
hopes to make a difference in the federal public service for my people. I
have chosen to follow this path for, I truly believe, I can make a difference
and make a valuable contribution towards the federal public service becoming
the "employer of choice" for my people.
However, my reason for writing you
today is of a personal nature and pertains to the aforementioned subject. I
moved to the National Capital Region in June 2001 with my family and in early
2003 I had the privilege and honour of meeting with Grandfather William
Commanda. At this meeting we agreed that we may be related however, we have not
pursued any further research into this subject. It was during my first
encounter with Grandfather that I was made aware of his efforts to establish an
Indigenous Centre on Victoria Island. I was intrigued by this project that I
conducted further research in the background work he has done. From the
literature I have been able to gather, it has become apparent to me that this
initiative is on the cusp of becoming a reality however, the time has arrived
for all levels of government (Federal, Provincial, Municipal, First Nations) to
now step front and centre to make this dream become a reality.
For over 400 years our people have
heard from the various levels of government that things could not be done for
various reasons. I am certain you will agree that the time of saying no must
end and we must now begin to say what must we do together to make it happen. As
I stated earlier, the time has arrived for the governments at all levels to
begin working together to assist Grandfather William in realizing his dream of
an Indigenous Centre on the meeting place of the First Nations People known as
Victoria Island.
The goal is to create a Centre of
teaching, learning and gathering. We have and will always teach people to
understand who we are as First Nations People, in order to reduce and hopefully
eliminate discrimination, racism and harassment. We also teach so that one day
the Four Nations of the world will live in harmony. We believe that by teaching
others about ourselves, we instil knowledge which in turn eliminates fear thus
giving people power. Power to work together because we will understand each
other's differences and will accept these differences as opposed to being
afraid of them.
Your help in initiating discussions
amongst the decision makers at the federal level with Grandfather William and
his supporters will most certainly be a first step in realizing the goal of one
day opening the Indigenous Learning Centre on Victoria Island.
Chi-miigwetch for taking the time to
read this communiqué. Please provide any response directly to The Circle of All
Nations website at the following link:
http://www.circleofallnations.com/
All my relations,
John
Henri Commanda
"Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf. - Native American
Proverb -"