SILENT DRUMS - WITH OVIDE MERCREDI

Please join Grandmother Buffalo Lodge for one or both days of our two-day lunch and learn event presented by Silent Drums Inc and special guest speaker Ovide Mercredi.

Day one will focus on Treaties and Nation to Nation Relationships. This discussion will provide a brief overview of the Treaties that founded Canada; the current relationship between our nations; and how honouring and implementing the Treaties can lead to a stronger nation.

Day two will highlight Justice Reform – Recognition and Respect for Indigenous Legal Traditions. This 45-minute discussion will explore the differences between colonial and Indigenous legal systems, examine the factors contributing to over-representation in the current system, and strategies for creating change.

A light lunch will be provided on both days.

COMPANY PROFILE

SILENT DRUMS INC.:

Silent Drums Inc. is a recognized corporation of Indigenous members established to right the wrongs brought against Indigenous Nations. We are committed to substantially improving the governance, economy, livelihood, and wellbeing of Indigenous nations. Through the conviction in the belief of our sovereignty, Silent Drums Inc. provides Indigenous specific strategic approaches for the overall betterment of First Nations. At the core of and throughout the organization is Indigenous intelligence that provides meaningful, accurate and well-informed voice to unique Indigenous political, social, economic, and environmental structures. Indigenous culture, identity, laws, and governance cannot be defined or limited by colonial legislatures, parliaments, courts or societal perceptions and programs. Therefore, we act on the guidance of traditional law and customs for the protection of First Nation inherent and Treaty rights through the application of Indigenous sovereign thought into all areas of our company profile.

SILENT DRUMS INC. MEMBERS PROFILES

Ovide Mercredi:

Ovide is a Cree, a lawyer, a negotiator, an author, a lecturer, and an activist on behalf of First Nations in Canada. He was born into a traditional trapping hunting and fishing lifestyle in Grand Rapids, Manitoba in 1946. He has also served as Chief of the Misipawistik First Nation, Grand Chief of the Swampy Cree Tribal Council, AFN National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 1991 until 1997, as well as the former National Spokesperson for Treaties 1 through 11.

Ovide Mercredi is best known to most of us for his deep involvement in constitutional law reform issues, and Aboriginal and Treaty rights negotiations. He acted as a key adviser in First Nations’ opposition to the Meech Lake Accord, and in 1989 was elected Manitoba Vice-Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He also had a strong leadership role in helping to resolve the Oka Crisis in 1990 and addressed the United Nations in Geneva and New York. He also led the First Nations negotiations in the Charlottetown Accord.

Ovide has spoken at hundreds of venues, from small community gatherings to universities and colleges throughout North America and internationally about his experiences.

Ted Bland:

TedBland is from York Factory First Nation. He is Former Chief of 6 years, recently Ted has been working for York Factory as a negotiator for the Relocation and TLE Claims. He also Emcees for political events to maintain his connection with First Nation leadership in Manitoba. Ted has worked as a Policy Analyst TFAO inc, there he consulted with many first nations on governance models, constitutions, Tribunals and historical perspectives based on the treaty relationship with Canada. etc.

Previous to that he was the Business development advisor/manager York Factory for 3 years. He was a senior negotiator, future development, Keeyask Project Manitoba Hydro for 6 years and also helped develop the environmental protocols and indigenous world view perspective for York Factory in preparation for the environment impact assessment and hearings for the project.

Ted has studied social work and political science at the University of Manitoba and spent a year in general studies University of Winnipeg.

Ted’s main interests are business development and treaties, after working in these areas for several years it has become evident that there are many disparities being first nation.

Jason Mercredi:

Jason Mercredi is of Misipawistik Cree Nation (MCN), Ininnew descent. He has worked with several organizations dedicated to advancing Indigenous rights and holds a degree from Queen’s University’s Faculty of Law with a focus on Aboriginal Law in each of his courses. Due to the contrasting realities between Inherent law and Aboriginal law, Jason chose not to practice Canadian law and instead focuses his energy into rebuilding Indigenous governance systems; bringing truth to our Treaty.
Jason has worked in areas of Indigenous political tribal organizations, Aboriginal child welfare, Indigenous led programming and funding, and was very active as an Indigenous individual advocate while studying colonial law. Jason has worked at the Treaty Five Administration Office, a secretariat of the Summit of Treaty Five Sovereign Nations and most recently with his nation (MCN) on the development of Mino Opikiyawasowin – MCN’s Inninew Child Raising Law in response to Bill C92. He is continuously engaged in advancing Indigenous sovereignty over Canadian granted rights.

His areas of strength focus on Indigenous sovereignty by supporting First Nations in areas that include knowledge of inherent rights, understanding current realities and rebuilding Indigenous governance, laws and legal systems.

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