Editor,
It is indeed a shame when the only public input allowed on the selection of the SON in the Meaford land acknowledgement is to display your feelings by booing. Perhaps if the town had allowed public input on the subject rather than censoring my comments I would be more sympathetic. The fact is that SON have no background or history in St Vincent township. SON are formed from Chippewas of Saugeen and Nawash in 1995 with the history of the Saugeen being formed by treaty 45 1/2 in 1836. The earlier Treaty 18 which includes St Vincent was surveyed by Rankin prior to this in 1833 with the western boundary being at what is the old Sydenham/St Vincent town line. Thus the indigenous tribes to which the land acknowledgement should be made are those that signed Treaty 18,being the Chippewas of Rama, Beausoleil and Georgina.
I think there is no problem acknowledging our correct history but when false claims are made some are justifiably upset.
In order to finalize any dissent and clarify the treaty boundary for posterity and honest governance I have applied to the Small claims court of Ontario for an honest review by a judge. The case will hopefully be heard shortly.
Thank you,
Mike Ashmore, Meaford
