3518 Community Events Ball Diamond lands are within traditional Bobtail and maskêkosihk territories Through continued relationship development with Treaty Six Nations, The Town of Devon has begun its consultation process with Nations in regard to the new ball diamond lands across Highway 60. The lands in and around Devon are within the traditional territories of the Bobtail (maskwacis) and maskêkosihk (Enoch) First Nations. These lands have been used for centuries by the First Peoples for hunting, gathering, ceremony, and daily life, and to this day hold a strong connection with many First Peoples of the land throughout Treaty Six territory. Devon has held site visits with nipisikopahk, neyaskweyahk, kisipatinahk and maskêkosihk Nations throughout the summer to assess land for future development, acknowledging the Treaty Relationship and the many Nations who hold this land as their traditional territories. This is not a common practice amongst Albertan municipalities, and it is the Town’s hope that this establishes a norm to protect Traditional Land Use sites across the province. “I am proud that our community is continually working to strengthen and renew the Treaty Relationship with the many First Peoples of this land,” said Ray Ralph, Mayor for the Town of Devon. “The path forward cannot be paved alone, and by working together we can ensure that our community grows responsibly while making sure that the environment and culturally significant lands remain protected.” “I am grateful and honored that Devon takes the time to include the First Nations people to walk around the land, because there are medicines and berries we may not know about that shouldn’t be disturbed,” said maskêkosihk Elder Bella Ginther at the Enoch Nation site visit. “It’s important to do that, and you also have a good relationship that way. I would like to see it continued, to be included in the walk-around whenever new things come up, in case we run across medicines and berries, and then we can re-route or do whatever we have to do.” Chastity Morin, consultation monitor for the Nation added that “it’s a good learning and educational component of our relationship, and the neighborly love that shows, when it comes to consultation. Maybe this will set forth for a lot of other communities to take this initiative to communicate with their Indigenous neighbors throughout the land and to include them in those talks so that we, as Indigenous People, who see and know of the land, can share it and share it with our neighbors, because that is part of our seven teachings. This is important because it creates more appreciation of the land and what Mother Earth has to give us”. Site visits have been ongoing throughout the past few weeks, with the remainder scheduled to be completed by August 7. -30- For more information contact: Mitch Wincentaylo Indigenous Engagement & Culture and Inclusion Coordinator Town of Devon P: 780-987-8320 E: mwincentaylo@devon.ca Justin Janke Communications Coordinator Town of Devon P: 780-987-8302 E: JJanke@devon.ca Share Print