Why this activist wants Anishinaabemowin to be included in a $10B treaty settlement

Since Ontario and Canada announced a $10-billion settlement for failing to pay past annuities last summer, the First Nations of Robinson Huron treaty territory have been holding engagement sessions to inform members about how the money will be divided among the different communities.

The agreement that spells out how the funds will be distributed was signed sometime in 2013; before the Robinson Huron treaty annuities case even saw its first day in court. 

But many things have changed since then, including the amount of compensation the communities believed they would receive.

On Monday the chiefs and trustees of the Robinson Huron Litigation Fund are holding a special meeting to discuss potential amendments to the compensation disbursement agreement.

Quinn Meawasige, a language activist from Serpent River First Nation, is hoping they will consider his proposal to create an Anishnaabemowin trust. 

His pitch involves placing between one and two per cent of the settlement into the trust, and investing two days worth of the daily interest the settlement is currently generating to conduct a language needs assessment.

"Imagine the transformative impact of dedicating a mere two percent of the $10 billion RHT settlement towards the revitalization of our language. This would represent a $200 million commitment to developing a comprehensive language strategy," said Meawasige. 

He says language has been identified as a common priority and concern among the 21 First Nation signatories in the engagement sessions, but that the current compensation disbursement agreement does not include money specifically for Anishnaabemowin.

Turning to other Anishnaabe communities for inspiration

Meawasige is calling on Robinson Huron Treaty leadership to amend the agreement.

He says he's seen how other Anishnaabeg in areas like Minnesota and Wisconsin have successfully increased the number of fluent speakers by investing in immersion schools. 

"I remember visiting some of their territory and seeing a child have a full out fit in [Anishnaabemowin]. To see them have a temper tantrum in the language amazed me," he said.

Meawasige says there aren't those kinds of resources in northern Ontario. 

"When I was younger, I didn't know my last name was Ojibwe. I had no idea. I often heard prayers at community feasts and things like that. I [would've] loved to know what they were saying." 

He says he felt shame about his culture growing up, and taking language courses and enrolling in immersion programs has helped him be proud of his identity. 

He's anticipating some First Nation citizens in Robinson Huron treaty territory could feel that, as language was lost through policies such as government-sponsored residential schools, it should be up to Canada and Ontario to fund revitalization efforts. 

"But who are we kidding? They'll never invest any type of meaningful resources to save our language. It's up to us," said Meawasige. 

Amending the agreement would require support from at least 13 of the 21 First Nation Chiefs involved in settlement decisions.