FERGUS – The Six Nations of the Grand River is hosting Friendship Walks and Social Gatherings along the Grand River to showcase their significant role in Canada’s history.
The message at the centre of the walks and gatherings is “We live here together.”
The first walk begins at the Fergus Pharmacy at 10am on Sept. 22, followed by a gathering at Victoria Park from 11am to 1pm. Everyone is invited to attend.
The walks will continue until Sept. 24, with gatherings in St. Jacobs, Waterloo, Branford, Cayuga and Port Maitland.
Officials say the Friendship Walks and Social Gatherings are about building peace, friendship, and awareness of the Haldimand Tract and the relationship between the Crown and the Six Nations people.
The tract
The Haldimand Tract is the land promised to Six Nations, or Haudenosaunee people in the Haldimand Treaty of 1784, in return for their loyalty with the British during the American Revolution.
The tract runs the length of the Grand River, from Port Maitland to Dundalk township, covering 10km either side of the water – almost 400,000 hectares (1,000,000 acres).
The Six Nations of the Grand River unifies all Haudenosaunee peoples under the Great Tree of Peace.
It is the most populous First Nation in Canada, with about 28,000 members, and the only First Nation community that currently includes all six Haudenosaunee nations: Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas and Tuscaroras.
The Six Nations of the Grand River reserve is about 19,000 hectares (46,500 acres) – less than five per cent of the size of the land promised to Six Nations people in the Haldimand Treaty.
Six Nations launched litigation against the Crowns of Canada and Ontario in 1995.
After almost 30 years, the case will go to court in 2024.
Representatives from Six Nations say it’s essential that people living on the Haldimand Tract know this history.
Walks and gatherings
The Social Gatherings along the Grand River will celebrate Haudenosaunee Culture with food, entertainment, dancing and theatrical performances.
There will also be keynote addresses offering an opportunity for people to learn about the Haldimand Tract and the crucial part Six Nations people played and continue to play in shaping Canada.
People participating in the Friendship Walk will receive a commemorative T-shirt and backpack.
For more information about Six Nations of the Grand River visit sixnations.ca.
For more information about the Friendship Walks and Social Gatherings, to register, or to download a Friendship Walk colouring book visit sixmilesdeep.ca.
