Indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan see the U.S. president’s threats to make Canada a 51st state as uninformed about Treaty agreements and First Nations’ inherent sovereignty.
Since earlier than his inauguration, President Donald Trump has repeatedly made feedback suggesting Canada is so depending on its commerce and safety relationship with the U.S. that it must change into a state.
Trump has even gone as far as to seek advice from the Canadian Prime Minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau.” Trump’s taunts have elicited fiery reactions from the Canadian leader.
Trudeau has repeatedly insisted that Trump’s claims won’t ever come to fruition.
Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman of Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man Assiniboine Nation finds Trump’s claims “insulting.”
“It is clearly evident that Trump is missing data of treaties,” she instructed CBC.
Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation, a conglomeration of three nations that had been part of both Treaty 4 or Treaty 6, is positioned about 115 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government has to take U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada critically — even when it is ‘by no means going to occur’ — and ‘fold that into our considering’ because the nation offers with escalating commerce threats from the U.S.
In an extended assertion, Chief Rodger Redman of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, positioned northeast of Regina, mentioned listening to Trump’s feedback about Canada changing into a 51st state led him to pause and contemplate Indigenous historical past of resistance.
“Our connection to those lands is not simply historic — it is residing, respiratory,” Redman mentioned, partly.
“Our ancestors fought to guard these lands. We honour them by guaranteeing that our sovereignty stays intact in the present day. So, after I hear discuss of a 51st state, I do not simply hear politics — I hear a reminder of why we stand sturdy, why we proceed to claim our rights.”
Redman mentioned whereas the neighborhood is open to collaboration, particularly on cross-border points, it needs to be finished respectfully.
“Our message is evident: our sovereignty is not negotiable.”
That concern of autonomy can also be vital to Chief Robert Head from the Peter Chapman Band, part of the James Smith Cree Nation positioned 165 km northeast of Saskatoon.
“It does not come from a president, or a first-rate minister, it comes from the Creator himself, in order that’s a proper that may’t be taken away,” Head mentioned of Indigenous Peoples’ sovereignty.
“It is our proper that we’re born with.”
Head believes Trump is just trying to get a response from Canadians and isn’t anxious about his threats.
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