Image
Image Caption
Elder Dolly Wilson from Peguis First Nation spoke powerful words in her welcome and teaching to delegates gathered in Winnipeg Sept. 3 for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly.
Wilson said she was honoured to welcome the people to Treaty 1 territory “where the first treaty was signed in 1871,” the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis.
Quoting her late husband, she told leadership, “The collaborative challenge is upon us. The need to form partnerships is perhaps the oldest, the strongest, and the most fundamental force in nature. There are no solitary free-being creatures. Every form of life is dependent on other forms.”
She reminded the chiefs in assembly that “holistically, collectively, collaboratively, we have a greater impact. We can dream bigger dreams.” Why? “Because we see a collective body of leadership coming together across the regions no longer in isolation of one another.”
She told the assembly that traditional values are the guideposts in this life.
“That’s going to cause us to sit at the table with one another. Not to walk away, not to isolate, being alone.”
She called on respect to be shown of other feelings and views. Honesty, she said, would lead to “a quiet, peaceable life.”
“Walk through life with integrity and resilience to accept who we are,” she said in her forceful statement.
She said it was the duty and mandate of the Elders to pray for the leadership, pray for their bravery to face fears, challenges and struggles with courage, strength, the wisdom to recognize others’ gifts, and with respect for one another in a kind way “so that we can see the beauty in sharing.”
Wilson said there is truth in recognizing that the journey may be slow, but “with patience we see the need for moving forward, believing we are destined to make it to our destination with the faith and the trust.”
She prayed for love to take the delegates to greater heights with vision and focus to face problems and challenges without fear.
She called on Creator to bless the people across the regions. “We bless our land. We bless our homes, communities and everyone that stands on this place today.”
“As a nation of people, we stand together,” Elder Wilson concluded.
Wilson joined knowledge keeper Leonard Weasel Traveller of Piikani Nation and Elder Ed Hayden of Treaty 1 in the opening welcome protocol and prayers.
It’s the first time in 11 years the AFN has held a gathering in Manitoba. The assembly runs to Sept. 5.