Indigenous past and future celebrated
The Covenant Chain was the name given to a system of alliances between Indigenous people and Europeans dating back to the 17th century.
Those alliances were referred to as links in a silver chain that bound the parties together in peace and friendship.
“Silver needs attention so every time we meet it’s our duty to polish the chain, and this way we keep the friendship fresh between us,” explained Travis Hill, site manager of Old Fort Erie and a member of the Tuscarora Nation of the Six Nations.
“Every conversation we have with one another, whether it’s long or short, spiritual or political, is a sign of us constantly moving forward.”
That metaphoric silver chain was polished Saturday during a Gathering event at Queenston Heights to mark National Indigenous Peoples Month.
During the commemorative ceremony, held at the site of the Landscape of Nations memorial, local Indigenous speakers discussed their culture, heritage and Indigenous people’s contributions to Canada.
Unveiled in 2016, the Landscape of Nations memorial recognizes the contributions of Six Nations and their native allies during the War of 1812.
“Two centuries after the conflict which took place on these lands, this park has become a place of peaceful reflection,” said Janice Thomson, Niagara Parks Commission chairwoman.
She said the memorial serves not only as a reminder of the past, but also as a symbol “inspiring us to look to a future where we work together with our Indigenous communities and representatives to renew and strengthen our long-lasting friendships.”
The Landscape of Nations will soon be the focus of a new education program between Niagara Parks and District School Board of Niagara.
Called the Landscape of Nations 360, the project will provide educators with understandings of Indigenous culture.
“It is a physical space where school groups can come and go through history,” said Tim Johnson, of Landscape of Nations 360. “It will be interwoven with Ontario’s new curriculum which highlights Indigenous history and Indigenous contributions to the country.”