A group of 20 emerging Indigenous leaders have stepped into the role of treaty negotiators to learn about Modern Treaties.
The emerging leaders, from the Yukon, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec, gathered in Ottawa on the weekend to take part in the 8th annual National Treaty Simulation, a unique opportunity for youth to engage in treaty negotiation and implementation.
With a format like the Model UN, the Treaty Simulation saw young leaders build the practical skills, confidence, and relationships they need to become the next generation of treaty negotiators.
Split into three teams representing a fictional Indigenous Nation, the Yukon Government, and the Government of Canada, the group debated the best way to implement a Woodland Caribou Recovery Plan. The mock negotiation replicated discussions that occur when implementing Modern Treaties, also called Land Claims Agreements.
“I think it’s important for young people to be involved because our ancestors and the people before us have really paved the way for this whole treaty process,” said Lucia Meurer-Mils, who travelled from her community of Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation to take part in the National Treaty Simulation. “That is the reason that we have such a developed set of rights and abilities in our own communities. I think it’s important for youth to be involved because someone has to move forward with the implementation and negotiation processes.”
“I’ve met so many like-minded folks. We just have the same vision… It’s really nice to engage in dialogue and meaningful, purposeful conversations that are all about self-determination at the highest level. You just can’t ask for more,” says Adam Gauthier, who travelled from his home community of I ɬaʔamɩn Nation (Tla’amin Nation) to take part in the National Treaty Simulation.
Participants learned from a panel of expert advisors who collectively have over 100 years of treaty negotiation experience. This intergenerational knowledge transfer was invaluable for grounding the next generation of Indigenous leaders in their history.
“I think the Treaty Simulations are a really important project,” said Daniel Quan-Watson, a former Deputy Minister for the Government of Canada and Treaty Simulation advisor. “This country is shaped profoundly by treaties, and that work has a lot of chapters yet to be written. And the way that those chapters will actually meet the needs of communities across this country is going to depend on people standing up and on First Nation, Inuit and Metis youth across this country assuming leadership positions.”
As of this year, 27 signed Modern Treaties cover more than 600,000 square kilometres of land. More than 80 different Indigenous communities are actively negotiating Modern Treaties with provincial and federal governments.
It is imperative that emerging Indigenous leaders have treaty negotiation and implementation knowledge, as future agreements will define the rights of many Indigenous peoples and create paths for self-determination.
Additional information
Find photos here: National Treaty Simulation Press Photos
Participants from the Yukon who are available to be interviewed include:
- Lucia Meurer-Mils, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
- Hayley Fairclough, Teslin Tlingit Council
- Alicia Staples, Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation
Participants from British Columbia who are available to be interviewed include:
- Adam Gauthier, Tla’amin Nation
- Christa McKay-Kosolofski, Nisga’a Nation
- Zariah Clayton, Nisga’a Nation
The 8th National Treaty Simulation took place at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa from February 6 –8th. It was organized by The Gordon Foundation in collaboration with the Land Claims Agreements Coalition (LCAC).
Expert advisors at the Treaty Simulation were:
- Frank Dragon (Negotiator, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations (KCFN) Financial Fiscal Agreement, Maanulth Final Agreement)
- Dr. John B Zoe (Negotiator, Tłı̨chǫ Agreement)
- Robin Bradasch (Regional Director General, CIRNAC Yukon Region)
- Lisa Hutton (Manager, Implementation and Negotiations, CIRNAC Yukon region)
- Daniel Quan-Watson (Retired Deputy Minister, Government of Canada)
- Elder Claudette Commanda (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation)
The Gordon Foundation has been facilitating Treaty Simulations in partnership with communities and organizations since 2019. The Treaty Simulation model was developed because treaty experts expressed the need for Indigenous youth to get more involved in their treaties. The Gordon Foundation works with experienced advisors to design a program that helps fill the gaps in treaty education.
Participants gain negotiation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills alongside inter-generational connections and a deeper interest in treaties.
The Gordon Foundation is a charitable organization with a long history of protecting Canada’s water and working in Canada’s North. Visit gordonfoundation.ca to find out more.
The Land Claims Agreements Coalition works to ensure that comprehensive land claims (Modern Treaties) and associated self-government agreements are respected, honoured and fully implemented. Visit: https://landclaimscoalition.ca/ to learn more.
