Leaders from across the province gathered for the first day of an annual Woodland Cree Gathering yesterday.
Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation have been coming together for years to celebrate the Woodland Cree Language. Each band takes turns hosting the gathering every year, and this year MLCN is hosting it on Little Red River Reserve.
Yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty was in attendance to present two King Charles III Coronation Medals to First Nations leaders. The medals are a high honour and are only produced when a coronation takes place. Before the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, the last batch of medals that were made were to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
“The Coronation Medal was produced also to recognize people who have contributed in a significant way to their communities, and there’s many different kinds of things people are being recognized for around the world that are in the commonwealth. So, today I really have the distinct pleasure of presenting two of those to two great leaders within our communities,” said Mirasty.
The Federation of Soverign Indigenous Nations, Chief Bobby Cameron, and Prince Albert Grand Council, Senator Noland Henderson, were awarded the prestigious medals.
“It’s hard to say in words what I want to say, but I just feel good about it, and knowing that this will go in my house for many years and my little ones, my grandchildren, and my unborn that are coming into my family will see this and say, ‘Moshum was a part of something good’ because that’s all we are at the FSIN; we’re part of something good that’s always driven by our First Nations,” explained Cameron.
Cameron also made it a point to say that Senator Henderson helped him become a stronger leader by teaching him how to be kind and patient.
LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson also wanted to thank Cameron and presented him with a special gift that was made by Ricky Nelson.
“Chief Bobby Cameron has a big heart for our Nations, and he speaks on behalf of our nations; he’s always there; whenever we bring an issue to him, whether it’s big, small, or complicated, he doesn’t back down,” stated Cook-Searson.
The gathering will continue with many fun events to attend; the final day of the gathering is August 1.