Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt

St. Catharines – November 6, 2017

Pelham Executive Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Niagara Quakers) supports
the right of the Six Nations to hunt deer in the Short Hills Provincial Park.

This is a treaty right; and as such is in effect to this day. Treaties exist between sovereign
nations and enjoin each party to treat the other with respect. This is true of treaties between Indigenous people and settlers. It is especially important to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples today, as that is a core obligation if the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are to bear fruit.

We must always bear in mind that we are all treaty people.
Quakers have a particular interest in supporting the right of the Haudenosaunee to hunt; to pass on traditional knowledge of hunting to the next generation; to provide sustenance to their families.

Quakers have a history of respecting the rights, traditions and religious practices of
Indigenous people, dating back to the covenant between the Quaker founder of
Pennsylvania, William Penn, and Indigenous nations, and continuing up to the present day, where Quakers played a vital role during the drafting and ratification of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People. Out of that tradition of mutual respect, we offer our support.

Drafted by:
Robert Nunn, Recording Clerk, Niagara Quakers

June Etta Chenard,
RoseMarie Cipryk, Co-clerks, Niagara Quakers

Contact:
rmcipryk@gmail.com
PH: 905 684 9924