Caldwell and Parks Canada reach agreement over Ojibway Urban Park

Caldwell First Nation and Parks Canada have signed an historic agreement that will demonstrate reconciliation in action and the ability to come together.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Parks Canada’s Senior Project Leader Maria Papoulias and Caldwell Chief Mary Duckworth on Monday, March 25.

A ceremony of drums, music and sacred fire preceded the signing, with food and celebratory cake following.

The Memorandum of Understanding will explore a shared governance and collaborative management of the proposed Ojibway National Urban Park in Windsor.

The agreement was signed at Northwest Beach inside Point Pelee, since it holds special meaning to the Caldwells and to Parks Canada.

The Memorandum of Understanding is the result of almost two years of discussions between Caldwell First Nation and Parks Canada and is considered a significant achievement for the Caldwell First Nation.

“Our mother is sending a message we all need to listen to right now,” said Chief Duckworth. “The message is that we as human beings are not being responsible for our mother who provides everything we need. As First Nations in Southwestern Ontario, we were never given the opportunity to contribute our ways of knowing, being and doing. We will honour and protect all our relations now. We look forward to collaborating with Parks Canada on creating a First Nations approach to shared governance of the proposed Ojibway National Urban Park.”

“Parks Canada is working closely with Caldwell First Nation and other rights-holding First Nations and partners to ensure the proposed national urban park in the Windsor area promotes First Nations stewardships, elevates First Nations voices and stories, and offers opportunities for connections to lands and eaters based on First Nation knowledge and values,” said Papoulias. “We are honoured to have worked together to create a Memorandum of Understanding which truly exemplifies our commitment to collaboration.”