Officials from the Huron Wendat Nation “deeply disapprove” of Orillia City Council’s recent resolution calling for the re-installment of the Champlain Monument in its original state.
That resolution, endorsed by the majority of council, also authorized Mayor Steve Clarke and Coun. Tim Lauer to work with representatives from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and HuronWendat Nation to:
- Create an accompanying narrative that would more accurately reflect the complete history and context of the Champlain Monument; and
- Explore additional strategies that would assist the community in helping move the national issue of reconciliation forward in a meaningful way.
However, Huron Wendat Grand Chief Konrad Sioui wrote a letter to council this week, saying the city's decision was “hasty” and goes against the recommendations of the Champlain Monument Working Group that was formed to find a path forward.
Parks Canada, owner of the monument, removed the Vernon March-crafted statue more than two years ago to refurbish it. Its removal sparked debate about its portrayal of First Nations people, leading Parks Canada to delay its return.
To help find a path forward, Parks Canada and other stakeholders - including the City of Orillia and Huron Wendat Nation and the Chippewas of Rama - formed a Working Group to consider possible alternatives.
Ultimately, the decision about the fate of the monument rests with its owner, Parks Canada.
Huron Wendat's Grand Chief has written a strongly-worded letter to Orillia City Council - a letter he has also circulated to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
That letter is on the ‘consent agenda’ at tonight’s city council meeting.
That means it will only be discussed if a member of council asks to speak to it. Currently, it’s to be “received as information” and forwarded to the city’s parks recreation and culture department.
Here’s what the letter says:
The purpose of this letter is to address the recent announcement, which we learned about through the media, regarding the adoption by your Council of a resolution recommending the reinstallment of the Champlain-Huron-Wendat Monument in its original form at Couchiching Beach Park.
I would like to remind you that, last March, the letter I sent you stated that "The Huron-Wendat Nation does not support the re-installment of Parks Canada's offensive and degrading monument in Orillia 's Couchiching Beach Park.
Not only would such an action undermine and challenge reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples, but it would also perpetuate a disgraceful perception of our Peoples as being submissive, subservient and obedient to the French Crown and considered an inferior class of citizens".
Our position has not changed since March.
The adjustment made to the interpretive text of the monument, in our view, is not sufficient and does not meet our need for a fair and equitable representation of our people.
Despite the survey that was made available to the general public and the engagement work involving several parties, the only Indigenous group affected by the monument is the HuronWendat Nation, since the statue specifically portrays our ancestors.
Under these circumstances, we ask that the discussions surrounding the re-installment of Huron-Wendat figures continue in a spirit of respect and reconciliation.
Thus, the Huron-Wendat Nation agrees with the recommendations of the Working Group as set out in Parks Canada's report.
We deeply disapprove of your decision to present a resolution calling for the re-installment of the statue in its original state.
We consider that your decision, in addition to having been made without even notifying the Huron-Wendat Nation, is hasty and goes against the recommendations of the Working Group, which has invested time and energy to find respectful alternatives.
We consider this contrary to the principles of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples that are being promoted across the country.
I was informed that the Working Group's recommendations will be presented at the Orillia Council meeting on July 18, 2019.
Since we are not going to be attending in person, please consider this correspondence our official position to be shared.
As the political authority of the Huron-Wendat Nation, on behalf of the Huron-Wendat Nation I must reiterate the importance of working together to develop constructive educational initiatives that reflect and showcase our common history on our ancestral lands in the heart of Huronia. Again, there are many alternatives, and we encourage the City of OriIlia to take advantage of this opportunity to make things right.
Further engagement in finding alternatives to Parks Canada's monument in Orillia must be entertained. We understand that Parks Canada will be making the final decision regarding whether to reinstall their monument on this piece of land. The Huron-Wendat Nation will take the necessary steps to convey this position to Parks Canada's officials.
Konrad Sioui
Grand Chief
Hurona Wendat Nation
