The Late Tom Eagle
It’s a weekend to remember here in Nipissing First Nation for a number of reasons.
We all should remember that this is Remembrance Day weekend. We ought to give some thought to those First Nation veterans who have served our Nations during peacetime and at war.
At this time of year, my thoughts to turn to the memory of Emery McLeod, Edward Commanda, Bill McLeod, Tom Couchie, Jim Duncan, Francis Pegahmagabow, Tommy Prince, Ray Rogers, Ernest Debassige, Tom Eagle, Jack Loukes, and Angus Pontiac. Also, I offer my thanks to those veterans who still serve us today, including my friends and family James Richardson, Terry Richardson, Fisher Richardson, Steve Richardson, Mike Richardson, Sam Hearns, Ron Howard, George Martin, Tom Cowie and many others. Chi-miigwetch Ogitichidaag. Your contributions shall never be forgotten.
For me, it was also a day to remember, as I made my way over to our Band Office and spent a few minutes visiting friends and relatives, getting my flu shot, and lining up for my Nipissing First Nation Boundary Claim Settlement cheque. As I held that embossed Peace Hills Trust cheque in my hand, I took a moment to remember what it represents.
For over 150 years, our ancestors and descendants were swindled from reserve land that was owed to our First Nation in the 1850 Robinson Huron treaty. This settlement represents a pretty generous fair-market value of the land that was improperly surveyed in 1852 and 1882. However, with this individual “per capita distribution” – we need to remember that we’ll be spending millions of dollars from our community’s land settlement. This represents over 30 per cent of the overall settlement and trust. These are funds that won’t be used for the collective empowerment of our community, nor for the use of our future generations. We’re taking it for our own personal use. I hope it is used wisely and thoughtfully – with some thought of how it can benefit each of our families for years to come.
Thank you Bob for your thoughtful words for the ones who defend and defended us and also for your sound advice regarding the “Settlement” .
Great post Bob. I had my grandfather Joe McLeod in mind over the long weekend – he served in a medical unit during WWII and is no longer with us.
I hope everyone reflects on what the settlement cheque represents. At over 100,000 acres and membership around 2500, this cheque represents the rights each individual member of Nipissing had on 40 acres of land they no longer have. When put in that context I personally feel the need to safeguard this until I can use it in a truly meaningful way like a down payment on a house or simply save it for retirement. Those of us who are alive today owe it to those who aren’t here any longer who truly suffered from the dishonored 1850 treaty.